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Although there will always be physical differences between men and women, we can find ways to compete together in global sports. Dr. Bri Newland, Fundamentals of Global Sports Management contributor and NYU faculty, talks through why we should not separate gender in sports.
Watch the video to learn about:
- the history of gender separation in sports
- the impact of imbalance in sports
- the importance of sports education in youth to learn about gender equity
The reason we separate boys and girls is rooted in our history. Newland states, “sports started for boys as a way for them to become men.” During the Industrial Revolution, all the fathers were out of the household, and people believed that moms couldn’t raise men. So, sports provided an opportunity to build character towards the idea of strong men. However, when women entered the scene, they disrupted that idea of sports about masculine development and making men into men. When women entered the playing field, organizations didn’t know what to do.
The Beginning of Women’s Sports
Eventually, women’s programming for sports was created, which trickled down to youth. Newland recalls, “when I talk to male athletes about watching women’s sports, they say things like, ”Wow, I didn’t realize how good they are until I sat down and watched.'” If women had more opportunities to participate for longer periods, more people would realize the strength of a woman athlete. There’s a significant imbalance occurring right now — from pay, sponsorship deals, and all the things women deal with regarding equality between the genders.
The Impact of Gender Inequity in Sports
That imbalance could change if women had the greater opportunity to showcase their skills early and throughout their careers. “As a triathlete, I compete with both men and women. We start at the same time, and we’re on the course simultaneously. So you get to see that skill right there and then,” says Newland.
As you continue your online sports management education, realize that we may think differently about opportunity and equality. For example, equity in sports can change when genders have more opportunities to engage. Watch the full video to learn about the importance of starting equity in youth, especially if there’s no risk of potential injury because of size differences.
Explore the transformative power of sport in our global society with the Fundamentals of Sports Management. The online course led by New. York University (NYU) includes a module on “The Transformative Power of Sport.”
