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posted Monday, August 30, 2010 at 4:23pm PDT on Response to the Semenya response
The New York Times does soft core pornography feature of female professional tennis players
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posted by One Sport Voice Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi: This blog reflects my critical eye and voice on all things sport. I am a critical thinker, scholar, and researcher in girls & women in sport, youth sport, and coach & sport parent education. |
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Earlier I posted that today, August 26th, is Women’s Equality Day. No sooner did I post my blog and a colleague (thanks ED!) sent me something so distrubing I had to do another post today. What I will write about next is a perfect example of why Women’s Equality Day is important.
In my previous and many other posts, I argue and researchers have proven time and again, that female athletes are rarely seen in sport media and when they are, athletic competence is minimized (click here), and their bodies are sexualized as commodities to be consumed.
The most recent and blatantly sexist, disgusting and marginalizing example of sexualizing female athletes is a piece the New York Times just ran titled “Women Who Hit Hard.” The piece features professional female tennis players and I’m sure is meant to capture attention leading up to the 2010 US Open, and is replete with an article, slide show and slow motion videos of each player hitting tennis balls in sexy attire to eerie music. I’ve seen a LOT of examples of sport media that sexualizes female athletes, but this tops the list.
This is soft core pornography and has NOTHING to do with athleticism or tennis. It is pure exploitation of female athletes.
View Original Post at onesportvoice.wordpress.com
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- Filed Under:
- Tennis, Sports, SportsPLUS, OpEd, Media/Marketing, Sexism
There are 2 comments on this post. Join the discussion!
AnnGaff
I have to say I saw this more as artistic than sexually objectifying. I didn't feel like they were exposing too much skin and they were definitely in action and their muscles were emphasized and not hidden or softened, as were the intense looks on their faces. I think that the muscular = beautiful message is a positive one for young girls.
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 4:31pm PDT
Trkgal08
I agree with Ann on this as well. I see it as artist and very beautiful. I'm believe we should be respected as serious athletes just as much as men. However, as a woman, I embrace the beauty in us and that is exuded in our sports, in our movement, in our hard work. Unfortunately, it's usually just the smaller or more traditional female beauty that gets embraced and that in itself is off putting. I also agree that showing young girls that being athletic, being tough IS still being a woman is a positive message. We can be presented as still being female (whatever that means to us) and still be respected.
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 10:53pm PDT