Women in Sports

I had a random thought about women's uniforms in sports. I have noticed that in many sports, men and women wear the same or similar uniforms to each other, for example basketball, golf, and soccer. There are other sports though, that women dress in uniforms much different than men playing the same sport. Volleyball and tennis are examples. In volleyball men wear long loose shorts and loose-hanging jerseys that are usually short sleeved, while women wear very tight and short spandex shorts and usually tight form fitting jersey tops. This is very curious to me, because there doesn't seem to be any particular reason, that helps the athlete to play any better, to wear such a tight uniform. Similarly, in tennis, men wear loose shorts (well Rafael Nadal may be an exception)and short sleeve shirts, while women tend to wear skirts and dresses, often with the top being sleeveless and strappy. Also, I noticed that many women wear jewelry, like long dangling earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. The men and women participating in the sport are playing the same exact sport (save the height of the net in volleyball)and therefore, women should be able to play just as well in similar uniforms to mens'. I have played volleyball competitively for 8 years, so from first hand I know that the booty shorts are not a necessity. So what does this mean for women playing these sports?

There is more pressure on women to show their bodies in the general society today. That appears to be translating over to some sports as well. Why is it that these sports put so much emphasis on how the female players look? In basketball, soccer, and golf the men and women athletes pretty much wear the same or similar uniforms. In my experience playing volleyball, I have heard men say the only, or main, reason to go to a women's volleyball game is for the girls in short shorts. Women in sports want to be appreciated for their abilities in the sport not for how they look in a skimpy uniform. Is the tight or girly uniform there to enhance the athleticism of the players and the game? Is it's main purpose to show strong and attractive physiques, or to draw spectators to the female side of the sport? It's hard to say what the purpose is, but it is in a sense sexist. Women in sports can be considered a rather new thing, and there has always been a struggle for equality, so is the use of skimpy uniforms exploiting women for their bodies? Just a really random idea I'd thought I would share.

Erin Tucker
KIN339I
M 7pm