Taliana Grogan
WRT 105
Ms.Shilly
March 17, 2021
Double Standards in the Athletic World
When you think of your favorite successful athletes, do you think of men or women? Many people may think of men because of the lack of positive exposure the women athletes face. Both men and women athletes have won awards and set astounding world records. Women tend to be looked at through a lens that doesn't appreciate their awards as much. Passionate and intense are the words to describe the major athletes of our generation. Women athletes hear emotional, crazy, and dramatic. The “Dream Crazier” Nike ad demonstrates this double standard that women at the top of their sport endure.
Words of ridicule are thrown at these women at all times of their careers. When they are doing their absolute best and dominating records, they are considered “too good”. If they mess up and express their frustrations they are labeled as “too emotional” or called “crazy”. No matter what these women's actions are they are still faced with the backlash of the double standard. These women are being called dramatic for the very same actions their men counterparts express. The double standard created in society shows the women in a negative light while men are cheered on or agreed with. The “Dream Crazier” Nike ad was narrated by Serena Williams. The power of her voice adds an extra layer of importance to this ad because of her accomplishments as a dominating woman in her athletic career. She is one of the most awarded/decorated athletes of all time. She holds the title with the most Grand Slams won, which is twenty-three. Williams has been faced with constant racial and sexist comments from the start of her career. When she showed emotion on the tennis court she was turned into a target for degrading comments. Serena Williams has also been known to inspire women all over the world with her consistent confidence. In her interviews and television appearances, she has always defended her actions and stood up for other female athletes. She is one of the women athletes of our generation that has continued to break the barriers that have set men and women apart.
More women included in this ad are Caster Semenya, Simone Biles, Chole Kim and the U.S. women's soccer team. Caster Semenya, is a 2016 olympic middle- distance runner gold medalist. She was deemed as “too good” by her opponents, judges and media. This resulted in her gender and sex being examined. The U.S. women’s soccer team faced pay inequality and this was highlighted in 2019 when this ad was aired on television. The U.S. Women's soccer team has won four World cup titles and the Men's U.S. Soccer team has won zero. Despite this drastic difference in accomplishments the women's team is receiving significantly lower pay than the men’s team. It is a prime example of how the double standards are harming women athletes. This was also around the time that the popular #MeToo movement was still being addressed. The #MeToo movement gave women an opportunity to speak about the assault they have gone through. This movement was also important in the athletic world when Simone Biles and fellow Team USA gymnasts were coming forward about the assault they suffered from their team doctor. Chloe Kim was only seventeen years old when she was receiving medals in the Olympics for snowboarding. She was discredited in the media and only her physical appearance gained attention. Her awards were overshadowed and not valued despite being the youngest woman to ever receive the gold olympic medal for the women's halfpipe.
The importance of this ad has spread encouragement to women in athletics. Seeing the best athletes of all time still being called these names shows that no matter how good you are people will still have something to say. These women have been very vocal about the inequality they have been facing. They talked about this issue in interviews, television , social media, and even on the field. Each woman chosen has been very vocal about these issues and confident. They all are inspirations for women around the world. These athletes are also at the top of their specific sport.
These iInspirational women of our generation are continuing to break down all the barriers that have been placed in the athletic world. By essentially achieving the unachievable, they are setting a new standard for our young women to look up too. In the past, athletics have been male dominated fields. As of recent years the world records have been dominated by women. All aspects in athletics including the athletes and the leadership positions have been faced with the double standard. Coaches and assistant coaches have been hired disproportionately male to female. Unfortunately this double standard has affected every aspect in this field. In the essay “Success and gender: Determining the rate of advancement for intercollegiate athletic directors” it highlights the double standards women in sports leadership positions have to face. This essay explained how the double standard has been upheld and affecting all parts. “In a society grounded in hegemonic masculinity, women are considered off-limits in certain areas, sport being one of the most obvious. This is even so the case with regard to sport leadership positions that continue to be generic preserve of men.” (WhisenantSuccess and gender: Determining the rate of advancement for intercollegiate athletic directors, 490) . Slowly the sports industry has progressed away from the double standards. It has been shown in each position how remarkable women are daring to not back down. They have continued to fight and represent for women showcasing in all circumstances how they can strive to be the best. While striving to achieve their well deserved place as an athlete they also have maintained integrity, being an idol, and committed to their families and career.
The “Dream Crazier” Nike ad does a great job at demonstrating each double standard that these women athletes face. Which includes gender pay inequality, unequal opportunity, and being “too emotional”. These women are called crazy or over reacting while the men athletes receive no comments. This ad was aired on television in 2019 during the Oscars award ceremony. The Oscars is an award ceremony that attracts millions of viewers each year. I personally remember seeing this ad aired during the Oscars and it has stuck with me ever since. This ad gained positive reactions from social media as women expressed their understanding and support. It encouraged me as a young woman to understand how even being at your best you can still receive criticism and discredit.
Works Cited
Whisenant, Warren A., Paul M. Pedersen, and Bill L. Obenour. "Success and Gender: Determining the Rate of Advancement for Intercollegiate Athletic Directors." Sex Roles, vol. 47, no. 9, 2002, pp. 485-491. ProQuest, https://libezproxy-syr-edu.libezproxy2.syr.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.libezproxy2.syr.edu/scholarly-journals/success-gender-determining-rate-advancement/docview/225372525/se-2?accountid=14214, doi:http://dx.doi.org.libezproxy2.syr.edu/10.1023/A:1021656628604.
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