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Section One: The Fundamentals
A) History and Context
Exercise 1: Notebook Prompt
| The most surprising facet of this module that stood out to me was the concept of nude parades as I had never heard of such a thing. The fact that they made female athletes looking to partake in championships walk in a line naked in front of a panel of sports officiants that’s sole purpose was to judge them based on their bodies if they were considered female or male. Not only is that disgusting, but also so violating. Our history of discrimination and hatred never fails to amaze me I’m learning. |
B) Timeline of History
Exercise 2: Notebook Prompt
What other significant case/milestone would you add to this timeline? Note it in your notebook along with a brief (one or two sentences) explanation of why you feel it is important.
| I believe an important addition to the timeline would be that of Ewa Klobukowska, a Polish sprinter who participated in the 1966 European Athletics Championships. During this championship, the first sex testing took place: women were asked to participate in an examination – conducted visually by a panel of three female doctors – of their genitals, also known as a “naked parade”. Ewa was the first athlete banned from competing for failing the sex verification test, although it came out afterwards that the results were inaccurate. This disqualification ended her career, as this news was spread throughout the media. |
C) Gender coding in Sports
Exercise 3: Notebook Prompt
Has the gendering of sport ever been a constraint on your involvement? How?
Or, if not, why do you think this is?
| Personally, the gendering of sport has not been a constraint on my involvement. When I was younger I participated in dance (ballet, lyrical) and taekwondo. Since many various types of dance are societally viewed as “feminine” or “meant for girls”, I was not discouraged from joining. This being said, there weren’t many boys in my class as I took it at such a young age so a conversation about this might have been beneficial to help me understand that this was not just a “girl’s” sport. With tae kwon do, my parents signed me up with a male friend of mine and I had no anxieties as there were some other girls in the class as well. I also believe my parents would not let something like the gendering of sports be a reason to keep me from joining, as they have always been very neutral when it comes to sports. Anything that we wanted to participate in they would let us without question, which is something I have grown to truly appreciate. |
D) How is sport gendered in the popular imagination?
Exercise 4: Padlet/Notebook Prompt
While most sports are in fact unisex, gender coding remains pervasive, particularly at the professional level, although with a foundation established in youth competition. Participate in the poll below to share your views on how popular sports are gendered in the popular imagination. Also feel welcome to add or suggest sports that you feel strongl