Monday, October 21, 2013
Gender and Sport
Here's a link to another blog about gender and sport: http://ittakesateam.blogspot.com/
Which reminded me of a very thought-provoking essay in Newsweek
http://mag.newsweek.com/2013/09/27/what-s-next-for-the-gay-rights-movement.html
This might be radical material for some of you, but I think it is so interesting to think about what marks gender -- what behavior, dress, attitude -- and how those are separate from behavior, dress, and attitude that marks sexual orientation. We often conflate those but they are separate. I think it would be fascinating for one of you to write on this intertwining with respect to sports.
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From spot reading the essay in Newsweek, they do a good job at giving history behind gay rights coming forth and the terms/labels that coincided with the eras of time. With that being said, I believe that the manner in which one separates gender and sexual orientation varies from person to person based on their upbringing and exposures they have.
ReplyDeleteFor me, gender is what you are biologically/physically born. This does not include parts of the brain that deal with neurological responses that cause cognitive processes. I believe that sexual orientation is determined from a few factors such as; chemical balances in the brain and respected genitalia, cognitive choice, and experience. Once one finds their sexual orientation, or at least becomes comfortable in the mindset they have is when their gender can be correlated.
For example, one is born with the genital make up of a male, growing up he enjoys playing dolls with the neighborhood girls but also enjoys playing on the various sports teams with the boys. At this young age he doesn't understand the complexities of sexual orientation so he thinks nothing of it to play dolls with the girls because he enjoys it just as the sports. He is doing both with showing no sign of preference to a sex, so is he bi? Further, time goes on and the boy gets older and starts being exposed to different sexual references and concepts which comes the time where he begins to ask himself what it is that is make him play dolls; does he like to spend time with the girls because he is attracted or he likes playing with them like the girls? Still this isn't enough to determine his sexual orientation so it continues. He gets to high school and is still playing sports and realizes in the locker room that he is attracted sexually to guys on the team. Here is more of a solidified rationale to his sexual orientation that some may have thought as he was growing up due to playing with the dolls. Being that this is the case, once he at least acknowledges it with himself, it is then that he chooses how to project his gender whether it be wearing skinny jeans, listening to Britney Spears while driving a pink Beetle on the way to get a manicure with his girlfriends OR wearing traditional mens clothing, driving a diesel truck to go to the bar to watch the game with his guy friends - it's up to him with what he is comfortable with.
Granted this is a very bizarre filled example but it is to give the jist of the concept. Outside of what path one chooses to exemplify their gender and sexual orientation, it is also up to society to handle whichever one respectfully. In my opinion, people shouldn't be looked down upon because of their sexual preference, but rather should be looked at and respected for knowing a part of themselves and embracing it regardless of what people amy think of them. Along with that it is up to us as society to have a sense of understanding of people that do not have the same sexual preference as us, whatever it may be, that "I don't know why you would want to choose what you do, but it makes you happy and easier to live your life, therefore I respect your decision."
I agree with DJ on most of his points. I too agree that it is ok for children of whatever sex to be able to play with dolls or sports or whatever. I don't believe a child knows their true sexuality until around the late elementary school-early middle school ages. I feel this is the time when most children are starting to become more social and starting to integrate with more friends and social activity. These ages are when I personally feel it would start to become inappropriate for boys to play with dolls or whatever other example you would like to use. I also do believe that how one dresses, acts, and behaves can be directly correlated with a person's sexuality to an extent, and of course there are always exceptions so I'm not saying its a full-proof philosophy. For example, the "jock" will wear a letterman jacket, jeans, etc. but you could also have a gay male who dresses in just a t-shirt and jeans like any other male and it would be impossible to tell. Either way, gay, strait, lesbian, black, brown, blue, it shouldn't matter in the sense of playing sports. Although it is "frowned upon" by some, I believe it is harsh if you were to tell someone they couldn't play a sport based on their sexuality.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with both DJ and Josh. Both of them made really good points. Just as Josh said "I believe it is harsh if you were to tell someone they couldn't play a sport based on their sexuality." I completely agree with this. As a coach it is bad enough when you hear other coaches degrading players by telling them they can't do something or can't play something because their lack of athletic ability for the sport. But it is just as bad by telling a player who has the athletic ability that they cannot play something or be something because of their sexual preference. I believe that is just wrong. If you want to play a sport cause you love it, and you enjoy playing the sport then you should be allowed to play no matter what.
ReplyDelete100% agree with Blair. There are women out there who are better than most men that play sports. I think its a pride thing to with sexuality when it comes to athletics. A sport i would like to see mixed together is tennis and golf. why? this seems like a close enough even playing field for both genders.
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