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An Open Letter

The document is an open letter to youth about persisting gender inequality in sports. It notes that while gender equality is discussed more openly now, true action is still lacking. In sports specifically, women are often treated and viewed as inferior to men through different expectations and titles that distinguish women as "best female" rather than simply the best. Media coverage also contributes to harmful stereotypes by focusing more on women's appearances rather than their athletic abilities. The letter calls on youth to use their voices on social media to help bridge the inequality and eliminate stereotypes in how both genders are portrayed in sports.

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Sue Recto
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2K views2 pages

An Open Letter

The document is an open letter to youth about persisting gender inequality in sports. It notes that while gender equality is discussed more openly now, true action is still lacking. In sports specifically, women are often treated and viewed as inferior to men through different expectations and titles that distinguish women as "best female" rather than simply the best. Media coverage also contributes to harmful stereotypes by focusing more on women's appearances rather than their athletic abilities. The letter calls on youth to use their voices on social media to help bridge the inequality and eliminate stereotypes in how both genders are portrayed in sports.

Uploaded by

Sue Recto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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An Open Letter to the World’s Sports-minded Youth

A look into the persisting gender inequality

To all my fellow youth,

We are in an age where the topic regarding gender equality is being addressed more
openly. As compared to before when such conversations were considered to be quite
unspeakable, I am glad that people can now share ideas regarding it with more freedom.
However, I must say that the coverage is still not enough. Simply speaking about gender equality
does not guarantee any action towards issues surrounding it. In this letter, I would like to share
with you my concerns regarding gender inequality. Specifically, I would like to go on about
things I have observed in a field wherein women and men are obviously treated differently and
put on different positions — sports. In this field, people place different expectations between the
two with women typically being expected less from. Right off the bat, this enforces a standpoint
in which women are inferior to men.

Sexism is defined as any prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination usually against


women but can apply to males as well (Masequesmay, 2019). Sexism and the lack of gender
diversity in the sports world continue to have major effects on the ability of everyone having
equal opportunities to advance in all areas in sports. Sexism and discrimination in sports
continues to be an oppressive barrier for future opportunities for men and women, despite the
progress made politically and socially in the sports world. An example wherein this gender
inequality is apparent can be seen in titles. Serena Williams, a well-known tennis player, voiced
out her opinion regarding this issue. A tennis player champion who is a man is simply declared a
title as the best tennis player in the world. For women, they are always introduced with their
gender distinction such as “best female tennis player”. This distinction states bluntly that they are
not world champions, but merely champions of their gender (Bridges, 2016). This outwardly
reeks of misogyny and disrespect as it gives the notion that women can never be equal to men.

Overall, sport is still strongly perceived as for men. Majority of the public is in favor of
men as the primary controller of sports and things should not stay this way. We should use our

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voice to bridge the inequality and eliminate stereotypes. In this modern age, you and I can do
much with the use of our voices and social media. Media representations of sports and athletes
currently contribute to the construction of harmful gender stereotypes. Coverage of women in
sports is often dominated by references to appearance, age or family life, whereas men are
depicted as powerful, independent, dominating, and valued as athletes. Hence, let us change
these norms and stereotypes with one’s gender. Together, let us make our voices heard and call
for balanced treatment between men and women and a fair portrayal of sportspeople regardless
of gender.

Sincerely,

Recto, Sue Erika Rose M.

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