For this research project, our group proposes the following question: how are male and female athletes portrayed in the media. We have observed distinct differences in the way media portrays female and male athletes. Multiple studies have researched the idea regarding the differences in representation of athletes, with respect to gender. Author Amanda Wade studies these differences in A Content Analysis of Black Female Athletes and White Female Athletes in Sports Magazines. According to Wade, despite the increase in opportunities available to women regarding sports, their representation in the media is still lacking. Aside from receiving less coverage in the media than male athletes, it is believed that females are featured in the media for their femininity rather than for their athletic ability (Wade, 2008, p.6). Wade (2008) states that, “one explanation for the lack of female coverage is the fact that professional sports have been predominantly a male field, one in which females don’t belong.

Serena Williams Banned Video Game Ad, using her sex appeal to market the game

 

The research question posed is how are women in sports portrayed by the media. Many times female athletes are hyper-sexualized or masculinized in order to be accepted. They have to fit into a mold that a male dominated field casts onto them. This is important because this kind of stereotyping can be very oppressive for women. This question will be answered by gathering scholarly journals and articles that have shown how women have been boxed into being like the guys or being a sexual object for the guys. Hopefully, this research can show people the inequalities women face a lot in the world of sports.

Danica Patrick, Race Car Driver