Skylar Ewing
English 102
Short Argumentative Essay
February 23, 2017
Women Striving for Greatness
When I was 10 years old, I played flag football through the YMCA. I was one of only two girls that played flag football that year. I played in every game, but I rarely got a chance to make a play on the offensive side. I might not have been given equal opportunities as my teammates, but I worked just as hard as them. During practice and during games, I tried my hardest. I am just one example of how women are not treated equally in sports. Contrary to what some sport fanatics believe women have the right to be players, broadcasters, and fans of sports.
A number of sports fanatics have recently suggested that sports are only for men only. They think women do not understand sports. In reality women are as successful in sports as men. In the past few decades, women have changed how they are viewed in sports. Ruth Conniff, an American journalist writes, “Slowly, over the past several years, Sports Illustrated has begun to recognize the appeal of women's sports, and to present women as sports heroes, the way it has long presented men” (Conniff par. 28). Women are becoming better athletes and more recognized in sports. Ronda Rousey, for example, is a UFC fighter. The UFC is just one sport that is dominated by men. Through hard work and determination she has become one of the faces of the UFC. Women athletes like Ronda Rousey make sport fanatics reconsider women in sports.
Even though most sports are dominated by men, women should be given the chance to participate in them. We have made advances towards accepting women in sports. For example almost all sports have a women’s league. These leagues are not as popular as the men’s leagues, but it is a starting point. Women are starting to become more noticed in sports (Kimmelman 513). Letting women participate in sports is just the first stage in giving women equal opportunities in sports. However, women still have an expectation to meet. In her article “Move Over Boys, Make Room in the Crease” Sara Maratta maintains that “[female athletes] must constantly monitor and tailor their persona to fit the stereotypical mold of what a female athlete should look like in the eyes of the image-conscious fans” (Maratta 540). Women are given a chance in the spotlight but are watched with disapproving eyes. Today in sports more women are given the chance to participate in sports but have to deal with criticism.
Women do not have to participate in sports to get criticized; most women broadcasters have faced criticism due to their profession at some point. Maratta talks about women broadcasters. Maratta herself writes, “Erin Andrews, an intelligent and well-versed sports journalist, has been constantly objectified throughout her career” (Maratta 541). Using Erin Andrews as an example, proves that women are criticised for having a sports broadcasting profession. Few of the men who are also sports broadcasters have played a sport (Conniff par. 48). Women and men can become equally informed about the rules and understandings of a sport. However, it is simply not true that men are better sports broadcasters because some of them have played sports.
Women are fans of sports and certain teams, however, they are not taken as seriously as fans that are men. Men claim women do not know anything about sports (Maratta 543). Sports has become such a big part of the American culture. Many weekends and get togethers are based around professional sporting events such as: NBA basketball games, NFL football games, and others. Women may have a tendency to not pay as much attention but they still understand the basics of the games. Felisa Rogers insists, “Simply watching the game gives you the right to believe, wholeheartedly and without reservation, that your team deserves to win” (Rogers 533). Being a fan just means supporting a team or a player. Gender should not play a role in who is or is not a fan of sports.
Maybe playing flag football with all boys was condoned, but I enjoyed all my time on the field. It wasn’t the ideal situation, playing with all boys, but I was able to keep up with them. Over the years women participating, broadcasting, and being a fan of sports has become more acceptable. Women are not equal to men in sports but they are striving to become more accepted.
Works Cited
Conniff, Ruth. “Awesome Women in Sports.” The Progressive, 1993, p. 36. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A13705086/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=c92e6ad4. Accessed 2017.
Kimmelman, Michael. “Women Who Hit Very Hard and How They’ve Changed Tennis.” They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print
Maratta, Sara. “Move Over Boys, Make Room in the Crease.” They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print
Rogers, Felisa. "How I learned to Love Football." They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print
English 102
Short Argumentative Essay
February 23, 2017
Women Striving for Greatness
When I was 10 years old, I played flag football through the YMCA. I was one of only two girls that played flag football that year. I played in every game, but I rarely got a chance to make a play on the offensive side. I might not have been given equal opportunities as my teammates, but I worked just as hard as them. During practice and during games, I tried my hardest. I am just one example of how women are not treated equally in sports. Contrary to what some sport fanatics believe women have the right to be players, broadcasters, and fans of sports.
A number of sports fanatics have recently suggested that sports are only for men only. They think women do not understand sports. In reality women are as successful in sports as men. In the past few decades, women have changed how they are viewed in sports. Ruth Conniff, an American journalist writes, “Slowly, over the past several years, Sports Illustrated has begun to recognize the appeal of women's sports, and to present women as sports heroes, the way it has long presented men” (Conniff par. 28). Women are becoming better athletes and more recognized in sports. Ronda Rousey, for example, is a UFC fighter. The UFC is just one sport that is dominated by men. Through hard work and determination she has become one of the faces of the UFC. Women athletes like Ronda Rousey make sport fanatics reconsider women in sports.
Even though most sports are dominated by men, women should be given the chance to participate in them. We have made advances towards accepting women in sports. For example almost all sports have a women’s league. These leagues are not as popular as the men’s leagues, but it is a starting point. Women are starting to become more noticed in sports (Kimmelman 513). Letting women participate in sports is just the first stage in giving women equal opportunities in sports. However, women still have an expectation to meet. In her article “Move Over Boys, Make Room in the Crease” Sara Maratta maintains that “[female athletes] must constantly monitor and tailor their persona to fit the stereotypical mold of what a female athlete should look like in the eyes of the image-conscious fans” (Maratta 540). Women are given a chance in the spotlight but are watched with disapproving eyes. Today in sports more women are given the chance to participate in sports but have to deal with criticism.
Women do not have to participate in sports to get criticized; most women broadcasters have faced criticism due to their profession at some point. Maratta talks about women broadcasters. Maratta herself writes, “Erin Andrews, an intelligent and well-versed sports journalist, has been constantly objectified throughout her career” (Maratta 541). Using Erin Andrews as an example, proves that women are criticised for having a sports broadcasting profession. Few of the men who are also sports broadcasters have played a sport (Conniff par. 48). Women and men can become equally informed about the rules and understandings of a sport. However, it is simply not true that men are better sports broadcasters because some of them have played sports.
Women are fans of sports and certain teams, however, they are not taken as seriously as fans that are men. Men claim women do not know anything about sports (Maratta 543). Sports has become such a big part of the American culture. Many weekends and get togethers are based around professional sporting events such as: NBA basketball games, NFL football games, and others. Women may have a tendency to not pay as much attention but they still understand the basics of the games. Felisa Rogers insists, “Simply watching the game gives you the right to believe, wholeheartedly and without reservation, that your team deserves to win” (Rogers 533). Being a fan just means supporting a team or a player. Gender should not play a role in who is or is not a fan of sports.
Maybe playing flag football with all boys was condoned, but I enjoyed all my time on the field. It wasn’t the ideal situation, playing with all boys, but I was able to keep up with them. Over the years women participating, broadcasting, and being a fan of sports has become more acceptable. Women are not equal to men in sports but they are striving to become more accepted.
Works Cited
Conniff, Ruth. “Awesome Women in Sports.” The Progressive, 1993, p. 36. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A13705086/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=c92e6ad4. Accessed 2017.
Kimmelman, Michael. “Women Who Hit Very Hard and How They’ve Changed Tennis.” They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print
Maratta, Sara. “Move Over Boys, Make Room in the Crease.” They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print
Rogers, Felisa. "How I learned to Love Football." They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print