(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU-IdUKbLSg)
This video clip is from the FINA Women's World Championship Water Polo, Gold Medal Match in Rome, Italy (USA vs. Canada). Things get rough when American Elsie Windes hits the goal for the lead, 5-4, then hits Alogbo in the face. (Universal Sports, UniversalSports.com)
It is especially surprising when female athletes engage in violence during their sport because it is rarely seen since people do not usually associate violence with female athletes but rather with male athletes. Although scholars have argued that female youth sports produce only positive effects in girl's behavior, it is clearly not the case in this situation. Windes may have possibly lost her temper as the commentator mentioned or it could have just been an extra swing of the arm. However, if Windes position and action is carefully analyzed, most people would agree that the blow was intentional. This media clip contradicts the argument that sports elicit positive behavior, but viewers also have to consider the heat of the moment in the sport and the competitive feeling during the match.
The connection between violence and youth sports for both genders is important because in general, female sports and athletes are less publicized in the media than male sports and athletes. The lack of coverage of female sports do not stir up problems up until the point when female sports are suddenly covered more when an act or acts of violence occur. Furthermore, female sports and athletes are rarely seen or noticed in the media unless violence happens. This speaks to the fact that there are indeed less incidents where female athletes are violent compared to male athletes. This increase in coverage may be because the public and the media find violent female athletes shocking or unacceptable and thus, they have to be pointed out. Lastly, as Professor Messner mentioned, men are more likely to be violent because they feel they have to "prove" their masculinity as "stooping down" a level to becoming a little less masculine and little more feminine (being a sissy) is unacceptable and looked down upon. Also in a way to prove their sexual orientation, men tend to be rough with other men to disprove any notion where there may be feelings of interest or care between them.
In the end, the positive impacts of youth sports do outweigh the negative because if all aspects are considered, athletes learn many positive things but few negative things. For instance, athletes learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, friendly competition, knowledge of their sport, and strategy (strategic thinking and thinking ahead) . Conversely, the only negative aspects they take from sports may be violence/aggressiveness and unfriendly competition. And evenso, the negative behavior is not taken up by all athletes that play sports.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The YouTube video video is a great example of a women experiencing a strong desire to express masculinity. She was so caught up in the game she repressed her sympathy and hit the girl. Although there are some problems with sports, I definitely agree the positive impacts of youth sports do outweigh the negative impacts. Sports provide a teaching ground for leadership and teamwork skills. These can be incredibly helpful to our youth even though sports sometimes result in negative behavior. I believe these outburst are rare and unavoidable yet sports in general are a really positive influence.
ReplyDeleteWhile I believe that this particular incident was accidental because of Elsie Windes' genuine "oh f*ck"facial expression, I do agree with both of you that sports bring out more positive aspects that negative in both sexes. Most people's goal in life should be to be successful in some area of their life. Whether they choose to have a 9 to 5 job or not, individual's who are career-oriented should learn at a young age to work with others and engaging in sports is a great way of doing so. If a person decides to become a surgeon, that person would have to learn to get along and form relationships with the rest of the staff, preferably good ones because not everyone can be House. If another person decides to become a writer, musician, poet etc., that person too will have to form bonds with others in order to be successful. Anyway you put it, we need interpersonal relationships to succeed, and being young, one of the easiest ways to learn about these relationships is through sports. Yes, they may be violent at times, but that's a natural tendency for people who get over emotional about things they are passionate about, and that's something children should learn too. Children need to learn how to manage emotional outbursts and have self control.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that, despite some negative impacts such as aggression and violence, that sports in general for young people and especially women are a very positive thing. I think that there is more violence in men’s sports from the need to be masculine, as Messner has discussed in lecture. I want to be perceived as strong and not a “sissy.” Such attitudes are also seen in women, in the want to compete and that is possibly where the similarity in physical violence in sports and athletes. Women may not be scared of being viewed as a “sissy” but they do want to be competitive and to intimidate their opponents. While I don’t believe that violence is the answer to anything, I think that acknowledging that women can fight just like men, will help to detract from the stenotypes and gender norms in sports. Sports overall is a great thing for youth and women, and women should be able to play as many sports as they want. Sports encourage teamwork and discipline as well as a healthy living. While men and women’s sports are still treated differently, the integration of women into more sports over the years has helped to increase women’s sports and an experience that everyone is entitled to.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the overall notion that overall sports have a positive impact on its participants. I think they learn more positive lessons and qualities than negative ones. But then there are differences in these effects between genders and their coverage in the media. I think that the little coverage women do get is only of epic and peculiar things, like fights breaking out during a women's sports game. Women are not considered to be violent people so when they perform acts of violence it draws people's attention. They get media coverage of mostly these events, among other eye-catching moments because it is entertaining for the audience to watch. While men's sports get coverage regardless of whether there was a fight during the match or not. They get coverage because they're a men's sports team. In order for women's sports to be covered they must to something extraordinary in order to get covered. Men do not.
ReplyDelete