http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_OJXBnS7fY&feature=player_embedded#at=79For the most part men dominate women in all sports. Why is this? Through out history it is viewed that woman are the weaker sex and this impacts the woman in our society. Men are usually portrayed in the media as strong, fast, and even if a female fits into those categories she is labeled as a man. Sports are usually categorized into male and female and very few are considered unisex such as swimming, tennis, and more. Female sports are volleyball, figure skating, softball; these are some stereotypes of woman sports. Sports for men are MMA, Boxing, and football. Now let’s talk about women in football because recently there has been a sport called LFL (Lingerie Football League) and this is similar to NFL but not quite. I believe that these women are degrading themselves for many reasons. Firstly the clothes that they wear consist of few such as bras and panties, and the rest are equipments such as helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and knee pads. These women are not being forced to expose themselves rather they choose to but I believe that they are being encouraged to expose themselves to attract more viewers and make it seem like a successful sport. Also they are not getting payed to play this sport and yet it is a league. The only thing that is getting paid is there expenses such as plane tickets, hotels, uniforms, and other things of that sort. They have to pay for their insurance if they get injured and we all know that football is a dangerous sport. I believe that this Lingerie Football League is degrading woman and is using sex to sell their league and attract audience. Also this league is accused of fining players for wearing too much clothes and this alone shows that it encourages women to be more exposing.
This is what one of the players said during a report on the NBC station in DC tonight, one of the players said she didn't have a problem with the uniform. In her words, it's no different than beach volleyball or track and field.
In my opinion I think that this "LFL" should not be considered a league or sport rather it is just a way of woman exposing themselves and getting attention. Also if this is a sport these women should take it more seriously by wearing full football gear (covering up), getting paid, and getting selected based on skill rather than sexual appearance. If kids watch this league especially girls than they will think that it is normal for them to expose their bodies like that publicly and that is wrong. I feel as though children should watch all sports to get physically active and stay fit but this is one sport I would never let a child watch. Also the founder of this league Mortaza has admitted that the league is marketed toward "mostly beer-drinking college students aged 21 and up."
Now my questions to you are:
1. What impact do you think this league has on children or young teens watching this both male and female?
2. Do you think that these players should get paid like other athletes in other leagues?
3. What do you think is the purpose of this sport?
I don't think that children should watch this sport, because it truly degrades the female players. The women choose to join this league, but that doesn't make it any less degrading. I think if young boys watched this league, it would make them think less of all women. Playing football in skimpy outfits, is no different than dancing in a strip club, wearing skimpy outfits. As for young girls, this would seriously hurt their mindset on their sexuality. This league is not about women getting the chance to play football professionally just like men, its about attractive women using their bodies to attract men to the games. Young girls should not be taught that they must use their sexuality to do something equal to a man, or to exploit others.
ReplyDeleteI do think that they should get paid like athletes in other leagues. Even if the league is exploiting these women to attract viewers, they still deserved to be paid regardless. I don't think the nature of the job should matter.
I think the purpose of the sport is not something noble, such as allowing women to enter a sport dominated purely by men, but rather to just make money. The owners of the league understand what their audience would want, and they are simply giving them that.
I agree with you when you say that this is no different than dancing in a strip club and glad that you agree with me when you say that this league's aim is to attract men.
ReplyDeleteAnother sport you might want to look into in relation to this is women's rollerball leagues - similar in that women who play are encouraged to wear short skirts and revealing clothing.
ReplyDelete1) Similar to sex education at a very young age, this league would spoil children as well. First of all, there is no necessity for women in sports such as the NFL to be cheerleaders. Cheerleaders wear skimpy outfits, which attract many men, but we have to consider the fact that many children and teenagers also watch the sport. They would go astray, especially children and young adults, as media is so manipulative. Someone must do something about the matter. What sucks is that cheerleaders are okayed by the media, so if someone raises questions regarding the presence of cheerleaders in NFL games, many people might go ballistic as to opposing the cheerleaders' presence in games and they might think I'm narrow-minded. They have to realize it is for the benefit of everyone.
ReplyDelete2) They should be paid equal because after all, a lot of danger and risk is involved in the sport. I believe more risk or danger in a job means more money. Although the women are exposing, they are still playing and this means they deserve their equal share of money. However, people who dislike the concept of LFL might ask and take help of organisations to possibly shut it down because it is available to everyone or suggest lower salaries for the women in action.
3) The purpose of this sport is simply to lure men, in general, and make more,quick money.
I strongly believe that this sport leads young teens and young adults astray and into a different path. We already have men football which is really entertaining to watch. Young teens also know about the media and watch TV; it’ll lure them into watching this and have different views and opinions on females in the society today. I think they should get paid the same amount of salary that other professional sports out their. End of the day their all playing a sport that needs to be practiced and played. I just think that the difference of this sport is the revealing clothes they play in. The purpose of this sport is to make a lot of money and expand this sport. Also it’s to get men lured to it and make them watch it. It satisfies the men especially, what males wouldn’t want to watch this, like really, come on.
ReplyDeleteBy: Mohamed Moalin
Being honest if this were a real sport and I was a coach having a hot girl is not what I need on my team. If it were a real sport there would be full on equipment from head to toe and they would desire the protection. I would go for some big strong girls and some very fast girls. This sport is just for making money and nothing else. They should not get paid like athletes but it is not my decision to make.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the main if not the only reason for these types of leagues is just to appeal to men’s sexual desires. A man who likes football and women who dress provocatively who are the “ideal” body type portrayed by the media, would love to watch this combination any day. I think there is no other reason for women barely wearing any uniform than to attract male viewers. I wonder how many women actually watch the LFL. Also, if these types of leagues were serious about portraying women in sports then they would show them in uniforms that any guy would wear, because it wouldn’t be about the sex appeal but instead the sport.
ReplyDelete