The Contradictory Role of Women in Sports

Rachel and Sara have had their own experience with feminine masculinity. As former college athletes they have dealt with many different expectations placed upon them by men and fellow teammates. Particularly in high school the thought of feminine masculinity was extremely prevalent. For example, on game days female athletes were expected to wear dresses and heels. Along with this dress came make up, push up bras, and any other necessary assistance to make the girls look more feminine. When the school bell would ring at 2:10 Rachel and Sara were expected to transition from delicate flowers to tough broads. Any girls who did not follow the standards in dress and behavior were ostracized or seen as other.

Although the girls were expected to be powerful players on the field they were also expected to maintain some sort of feminine persona. After sprinting down the field to clear the defensive territory, it was necessary to wipe the mascara away before running into their eyes. This small scale example shows the extent to which girls must maintain two contradictory roles in sports.

In the article, Disrupting Standards of Beauty and Redefining Womanhood, the author hits the nail on the head. Women are expected to fit into a certain mold; if she does not, she is not desirable to a man. However, if she does not act as a strong athlete on the field, her sports career will not be successful. Fellow teammates and coaches will not respect her skill and dedication. In order to be fruitful in both worlds she must be able to turn one switch on and the other off at the appropriate time.

In professional sports each role is magnified a great extent. In women's tennis, Serena and Venus Williams are incredible athletes. Defying many stereotypes placed upon them as women competitors, each woman has amazing strength and talent. Serena Williams has earned more money than any other female competitor. She is at the top of her game. Tennis is their profession; being a woman is also their profession. As shown above, Serena Williams has two very different lives.

Will feminine masculinity ever be accepted as a norm in society? This issue affects women on a small scale and a much larger scale. From our example, as high school players and division 3 collegiate athletes, the expectations were clearly impressed upon us. On the larger scale it is even more obvious that, to many, a woman's feminine side completes her.

Word Count: 411


Citations
Rubel, Rubel. "Top Player." Blogspot.com N.p., 3 Dec. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.  https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn5Qrds13WaTPaiqJ-_ay1cyEcgHkFkCLv72BYXmArefVFTnxywEj8GJJ-VxtpsE0bsa3xgksRCvdgFvCAVoGxYhPeBd1FKnHypeg-_nRXU5gSrsBPREPvwQbw2qgx9gxcU0_0ehKNsw/s1600/serena-williams+%25281%2529.jpg

"Serena Williams Upset In Tennis Finals; Calls Game Judge "Unattractive"." 6Minutz.com. N.p., 11 Sept. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.  http://6minutz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/serena-williams.jpg