Discrimination Against Women In Sports - Term Paper Example

Sport Science Major: Discrimination Against Women In Sports Insight in younger ages: a. Parents preferences, bringing up a child and way of thinking.The evaluation of the parents’ decisions when bringing up a child can be based on various criteria, being influenced by the personal perceptions of parents and their educational background; other factors, such as the age of the parents or their personal experiences may also influence their decisions when bringing up their child. In this context, the age of the parents can negatively influenced the preferences of parents in regard to the activities in which their children are involved.

More specifically, older parents are less likely to allow the participation of their children in sports, believing that the relevant risks can be many. The specific problem is quite extended in the case of foster parents who avoid taking critical decisions in regard to their children since they do not want to take the responsibility for a potential accident (Meezan and Shireman 1985, p.149). The relevant research has proved that girls are more likely to face this problem compared to boys who are considered as more capable of facing the risks involved in sports (Meezan and Shireman 1985, p.149). The health problems of children could also affect potentials to participate in sports.

In the study of Hong (2008) emphasis is given on the case of children with hearing loss; the behavior of parents towards their child who face such a health problem can be differentiated in accordance with the gender of the child. Girls are not considered as competent as boys to manage the risks related to sports when facing such health problem (Hong 2008). Moreover, parents could prevent the participation of their female children in sports just for showing their power in setting rules, i.e. for promoting discipline within the family; with male children such policies may be more difficult to be established (Kisuke 1986).b. Ethnicities and traditions.

The perceptions of parents on their identity and their position within a particular society seem to influence their behavior towards their children. Indeed, in societies where the local cultural or religious traditions do not allow the participation of women in sports, parents are not expected to allow to their female children to develop such activities (Lamanna and Riedmann 2011, p.273). The potentials of women to participate in sports during their adolescence can be further reduced in case that their parents face racial discrimination (Lamanna and Riedmann 2011, p.273). In the study of Lamanna and Riedmann reference is made, as an example, to Muslim traditions that do not allow the participation of women in various social activities, including sports.

In this case, cultural traditions seem to be quite strong in influencing the parents’ decisions in regard to their children. On the other hand, Rockquemore and Laszloffy (2005) note that the first messages of discrimination can be sent to the children within their home. Indeed, the perceptions of parents in regard to the physical characteristics of their children are of major importance for the children’s beliefs on their competencies (Rockquemore and Laszloffy 2005). Therefore, girls who are not encouraged by their parents to participate in sports and who are given negative messages in regard to their physical characteristics are less likely to participate in sports (Rockquemore and Laszloffy 2005).

The beliefs of parents on gender discrimination can negatively influence the willingness of their female children to get involved in sports.c. Discrimination in schools.The development of discrimination against women in sports is highly based on the ideas promoted in schools in regard to the potentials of women to become successful athletes. Indeed, in many school settings, women are believed to be capable only of becoming a cheerleader (Klein 2007). In other words, in many schools the participation of women in sports is related to specific roles, only indirectly related to sports (Klein 2007).

In accordance with Thornton, Walter and Ruddell (2011) the equality of women with men and their ability to participate in various social activities, including sports, has been, traditionally, doubted. It is noted that just recently women have been allowed to participate in sports, especially at amateur levels (Thornton, Walter and Ruddell 2011, p.359). For example, it is noted that in 1972 only 1 out of 27 girls in USA were allowed to participate in the sports activities of their schools (Thornton, Walter and Ruddell 2011, p.359); in 2008, ‘about 3 million girls participated in high school athletics’ (Thornton, Walter and Ruddell 2011, p.359), a fast showing the change in the social trends regarding the role of women within society.

ReferencesHong, J. (2008). Factors impacting Korean-American families who are raising a child with hearing loss. London: ProQuest.Kisuke, C. (1986) Raising todays children. Nairobi: Uzima Publishing House.Klein, S. (2007) Handbook for achieving gender equity through education. London: Routledge.Lamanna, M., and Riedmann, A. (2011). Marriages, Families, and Relationships: Making Choices in a Diverse Society. Belmont: Cengage Learning. 273Meezan, W., and Shireman, J. (1985). Care and commitment: foster parent adoption decisions.

New York: SUNY Press. 149Rockquemore, K. and Laszloffy, T. (2005). Raising biracial children. Lanham, MD: Rowman Altamira.Τhornton, P., Walter, C. and Ruddell, L. (2011). Sports Ethics for Sports Management Professionals. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. 359