Gender and Sports in Society

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary distinction between sex and gender?

Sex refers to individual personality traits, while gender refers to societal expectations.

Sex and gender are interchangeable terms describing the same characteristics.

Sex refers to social characteristics, while gender refers to biological traits.

Sex refers to biological characteristics, while gender refers to socially determined characteristics. (correct)

How does gender typing manifest in sports according to the content?

Boys are encouraged to engage in all sports without regard to gender labels.

Gender typing promotes equal participation of boys and girls in all sports.

Girls become disinterested in sports due to a lack of role models.

Parents encourage boys to participate in masculine sports and girls in feminine sports. (correct)

What is a recommended strategy to support girls in sports?

Provide vague and general feedback to motivate girls.

Promote the idea that sports are only for those with perfect appearances.

Encourage girls to focus solely on appearance during sports activities.

Model the acceptance of being sweaty and messy during workouts. (correct)

What is ageism as described in the content?

Negative attitudes and assumptions about older adults based on their age. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does playing a team sport before age 8 have on girls?

It is linked to better academic performance, health, and relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes sociocultural constraints in motor development?

They include group attitudes that influence individual movement behaviours. Signup and view all the answers

Which social agent plays a significant role in individual development according to sociocultural constraints?

Parents Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of girls participated regularly in sports compared to boys in the last 12 months?

70% of girls and 81% of boys Signup and view all the answers

How does intersectionality relate to social identities?

It recognizes the overlap and interaction between various social identities. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a historical belief about women participating in sports?

Women's participation could lead to infertility. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of characteristics do racial characteristics refer to?

Biological traits related to genetic similarities within groups. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of Title IX legislation passed in 1972?

Increased participation of female athletes in high school sports. Signup and view all the answers

What social barriers constrained girls' participation in sports according to the content?

Family responsibilities and societal expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by stereotyped threat in the context of sociocultural constraints?

The pressure experienced by stigmatized groups to perform poorly. Signup and view all the answers

During which year did the NCAA challenge Title IX?

1976 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a sociocultural constraint on motor behavior?

Personal physical fitness level Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect can influence the choice of sports according to sociocultural constraints?

Cultural influences Signup and view all the answers

What barrier is categorized as a physical barrier for girls in sports?

Presence of illness or disease. Signup and view all the answers

Which gendered sports participation trend has been observed more recently?

Boys and girls are selecting more gender-neutral sports. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in the socialization process concerning different groups?

Socialization experiences vary based on group identity. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological barrier affects girls' confidence in sports participation?

Limited confidence in their physical abilities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following socializing agents is most influential during early childhood?

Parents Signup and view all the answers

How can play environments affect children's physical activity levels?

By limiting available space for gross motor activities Signup and view all the answers

What is a common barrier that women face in prioritizing sports participation?

Concerns about being viewed as unfeminine Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential consequence of gender-typed toys on children's play?

Reinforcement of traditional gender roles Signup and view all the answers

In statistical comparisons of physical activity, how many more daily steps do boys aged 5 to 19 take than girls?

Approximately 1,300 steps Signup and view all the answers

Which percentage of head coach positions in Canadian university sport are occupied by women?

19% Signup and view all the answers

Which barrier relates to the lack of diversity in sports programming for women?

Lack of female-only opportunities Signup and view all the answers

What role do siblings play in the socialization process of infants?

They serve as the primary socializing agents Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the coaches for carded athletes in Canada are women?

20% Signup and view all the answers

What factor is a significant influence in determining a child's societal role?

Personal attributes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a possible impact of playing with gender-typed toys?

Constraints on skill development for girls Signup and view all the answers

What societal issue restricts physical activity options for girls?

Gender-appropriate activity attitudes Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential influence of peers on children's activity levels?

They can encourage passive activities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an access and opportunity barrier for women in sports?

High-quality facilities Signup and view all the answers

What impact do positive sport experiences have on girls and women?

Increasing feelings of self-esteem and empowerment Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about girls' participation in sports post-high school is true?

Girls are less likely to participate in sports than boys after high school Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss the role of sociocultural constraints in motor development.
- Define the role of specific social agents (like parents and schools) in individual development.
- Explain the socialization process and how it differs for various groups.

Constraints Model

Individual constraints:
- Structural: (e.g., physical limitations or disabilities)
- Functional: (e.g., perceived ability or motivation)
Task constraints: (e.g., specific skill requirements or the physical environment)
Environmental constraints: (e.g., societal attitudes or cultural norms)

Sociocultural Constraints

Ecological perspective: Culture significantly influences sport choices.
Culturally specific concepts shape movement behaviors.
Group attitudes (environmental constraint) affect individual motor behaviors.
Social values, norms, morals, and ideas are part of the constraint.

Pervasive group attitudes, values, and morals influence individual behavior.
Create an atmosphere promoting socially acceptable activities and discouraging unacceptable ones.
Examples of social constraints:
- Age
- Gender
- Disability
- Race
- Sexual Orientation
- Religion
- Socioeconomic Status

Intersectionality

Overlap of various social identities.
People often identify in numerous ways.
Tied to both oppression and privilege.

Some Sociocultural Constraints

Racial characteristics are biological and related to genetic similarities within groups.
Ethnic characteristics are culturally based and link groups based on cultural similarities.
Socioeconomic characteristics can interact with racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Importance of examining group differences without attributing biological priority to them.
Stereotyped threat can lead to lower performance than expected.

The Socialization Process

Socialization impacts participation choices.
Three key elements:
- Socializing agents (family, peers, coaches, teachers)
- Social situations (games, play environment, toys)
- Personal attributes (strength, skill, motivation, perceived ability)

Socializing Agents

Families (Parents):
- Most influential in early childhood.
- Praise and reward involvement.
- Same-sex parent may exert more influence.
Families (Siblings):
- Significant influence in early years.
- Same-sex siblings are more influential.
- Influence diminishes after childhood.
Peers:
- Important later in life.
- Stronger influence than families for some.
- Group preference for passive activities can be influencing.
Coaches and Teachers:
- Inconlusive findings exist about how influential they are.

Play environments and games impact opportunities for activity.
Lack of space may limit opportunities for gross motor activity.
Gender-typed play environments may limit some activity options for certain genders.
Toys can influence active or inactive behaviors.
Traditional gender roles may be reinforced through toy selection.

Personal Attributes

Strength, skill, motivation, perceived ability are explored further in chapter 16.

Women & Girls in Sport

Statistical snapshot:
- Only a small percentage of girls achieve recommended levels of daily physical activity, compared to boys.
- Boys take significantly more steps daily than girls (ages 5-19).
- Fewer girls participate regularly in sport compared to boys.

Women in Sport historically

Beliefs around women participating in sport included concern about harmful increases in "energy" which could negatively impact fertility.
Physical activity was believed to desexualize women.
Women were often deemed incapable of enduring the pain or injury of participation.
Some sports were seen as status symbols for the people who played them, often with strict dress codes.

Title IX (1972)

Federal legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding.
Significant impact on participation rates.
Increased visibility and opportunities for girls.

Influence of Title IX

Before Title IX, participation rates of girls in sports was very low, significantly lower than for boys.
After Title IX, participation rates for girls have increased.
Now, more girls and boys participate in gender-neutral sports than in gender-specific sports.

Barriers Today

Physical Barriers: Low fitness, illness, lack of physical literacy.
Psychological Barriers: Limited confidence or self-efficacy.
Time-Based Barriers: Schoolwork, work, family responsibilities.
Interpersonal Barriers: Lack of family support, gender stereotypes in societal perception of sport participation.
Access & Opportunity Barriers: Cost, appropriate equipment, transportation, facilities access, etc.
Programming Barriers: Lack of choice, poor facilities quality, competition focus.

Still Today...

Women hold a relatively small percentage of head coaching and athletic director positions.
Women comprise a smaller proportion of reported coaches and technical officials overall.

Positive Sport Experiences

Positive sport experiences contribute to girls' health, well-being, self-esteem, empowerment, and social integration.
Support gender equality, and facilitate leadership opportunities.

Gender Typing

Societal attitudes about gender-appropriate activities restrict activity options for boys and girls.
These attitudes, while present, have been decreasing in the USA.
Girls still lag behind boys in participation numbers, and are more likely to drop out after high school

Gender Typing Example

Sex refers to biological characteristics.
Gender refers to social characteristics (masculine vs feminine), a social constraint.
Gender typing occurs when parents or significant others encourage activities deemed "appropriate" for each gender, such as "masculine" sports for boys, and "feminine" sports for girls.

What Can You Do?

Give specific feedback, rather than general feedback.
Encourage participation that is not gender-stereotyped.
Support diverse options for engagement in activity.

Age Discrimination (Ageism)

Ageism: discrimination based on age or assumed age.
Negative attitudes and lack of knowledge about aging contribute to an extremely negative view of older adults and the aging process.
"The third great ism" (after racism and sexism) in terms of societal discrimination.

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Description

This quiz explores the distinctions between sex and gender, the impact of sociocultural constraints on girls in sports, and significant legislation like Title IX. Additionally, it addresses intersectionality and the historical context of women's participation in sports, providing a comprehensive look at gender issues in athletics.