For centuries, an incredibly popular and perhaps complicated question has spiked much controversy in the sports industry. After an incredibly long, rocky and misogynistic road, the prospect of the female athlete has prevailed. From the first Olympic athlete Hélène de Pourtalès in 1900 to some of the most accomplished female athletes such as Katie Ledecky and Larisa Latyina today, it seems society has come a long way in gender equality when it comes to sports, especially with the recent guarantee of equal pay. But considering all the sexism and discrimination (whether direct or indirect) that’s still shown in the media today, the answer can appear to be quite confusing.
So, fact or myth? What are the shortcomings and possible benefits of being a female athlete? Are they treated differently, and if so, is that fair?
According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), one’s biological sex is a primary determinant in athletic performance. This is due to the stark differences in sex chromosomes and hormones. “Adult men are typically stronger, more powerful, and faster than women of similar age and training status,” NIH writes, “thus, for athletic events and sports relying on endurance, muscle strength, speed, and power, males typically outperform females by 10%-30% depending on the requirements of the event.” These major differences have likely been the leading cause of why men have been valued over women in sports for the many years preceding the first female Olympian.
These biological advantages that men have not only have caused society to discriminate against the idea of female athletes, but have also spawned many feelings of insecurity or even demoralization among them. In an interview, Student A, a female cross country athlete emphasizes this.
“One main challenge that I struggle with is watching the boys that are considered the worst on the boys’ team pass me and feeling so empty inside,” she said.
Additionally, many females feel as though their performance is impacted by their menstrual cycles. While this myth has been debunked by multiple studies and the cycle does not, in fact, directly inhibit one’s performance, it can greatly affect their mood and the way they feel physically, which may or may not affect one’s performance. However, according to the Boston Children’s Hospital, “Missed periods (amenorrhea) may be caused by stress, under-nutrition, or over-exercise — all of which can lead to something called functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.” So, while athletic performance may not be worsened due to the ups and downs of a woman’s menstrual cycle, overtraining and undereating among other things, can lead to serious conditions which may affect them reproductively.
“[During my period], I raced at Mt. Sac, which is a really hard course, during the prelims or finals my body physically hurt and ached when I finished [through the] finish line,” student A continued, “I just wasn’t treated the same as a boy who was having a bad day because they didn’t see it that way.”
Student B, a student on Foothill Technology High School’s (Foothill Tech) girls golf team believes that while female athletes nowadays are treated fairly for the most part, there are still a few bumps being faced.
“When you look at disputes over female athletes, such as with Caitlin Clark … being denounced for her skill and [people] being just like, ‘Oh I can beat Caitlin Clark,’ and it’s like no you couldn’t! Maybe you played basketball when you were in fourth grade, but … thinking [just] because you are a man you will be able to beat her [is unfair],” she stated.
Another point brought up by Student B is that female athletes aren’t taken as seriously as they should be. “I can only think about how there are internet forums that are always like ‘Oh, is Caitlin Clark hot or not?’ I feel like with female athletes it’s more [focused] on what they look like, how they present themselves, what they’ve said, but with male athletes it’s just their skill, how they play the game.”
However, just like with everything else, there are a plethora of benefits that come with being a female in sports. Namely, a sense of belonging and empowerment, which is growing in commonality.
“There’s more [of a] sisterhood, I feel like, on the team.” Student A states, “I feel closer to the girls than I think other people do … I found my actual sisters on this team and I don’t think everyone can say that.”
Coming from a very oppressive yet rich history, female athletes have still managed to break their way through many challenges thought impossible and rise above them. And while the fight against misogyny might never meet its end, we have come a very long way, and this is greatly emphasized when looking at the recent Equal Pay for Team USA Act of 2023, guaranteeing that “all athletes representing the United States in international amateur athletic competitions receive equal compensation and benefits for their work, regardless of gender.” As we turn to this ever-shifting generation of new ideas, female athletes are sure to look upon a much brighter, happier and just future.
