Since the beginning of time women have been treated less
than equal of men. This has carried over into the working world and the
sporting world. Men and women play the same game and put in 110 percent day in
and day out. However, women athletes are not paid nearly as much as male
athletes.
Monetary factors aren’t the only issue that separates men
and women athletes. Commentators for each sport talk about men and women
differently when announcing the sport. Is this fair to men and women? Should
commentators be able to comment on females’ clothes and how she looks, but only
talk about males’ athletic ability?
Over Easter weekend I was watching an LPGA golf tournament
with my dad, mom, and sister; after one of the rounds they interview a young
lady who had just made the cut. She was very emotional about this and had tears
running down her face. After her interview the commentators talked about how
emotional she was and why she was crying. They were being dramatic about this when
it was not necessary.
During the same tournament, another female golfer (who was
in the lead) was walking to the green and fixing her hair. She had bobby pins
in her mouth and two hair ties. The commentators were joking about how much
hair she had and the need for the two hairs ties and bobby pins.
Jordan Spieth recently just won the Masters. He is one of
the youngest, at 21, to win a green jacket. The only comment I heard about his
appearance was his hairline. His hairline is receding and it makes him look
much older than his actual age. Who cares? Jordan just won the Masters and a paycheck
that is bigger than most people will see in their entire life.
Female athletes are torn down more about their appearance
and emotional state than male athletes. Commentators, next time you announce a
female sporting event talk about their athleticism not their body, appearance,
or hormonal emotional state.
