The Experience of being a Woman in Sports

 

    The picture above was taken on one of the happiest days of my entire life. March 25, 2017 was the day I earned my black belt. Although I was only 11 years-old I noticed something strange. I had observed that I was one of only two girls who received their black belts that day and we were the youngest amongst them. Even back then I realized that there was not a lot of girls who did martial arts and little did I know it that the topic of women in sports would become something that I'm very passionate about. 

    Throughout my life I've been very vocal about the fact that I do Taekwondo and that I'm a black belt. As I grew up, people would start to make comments about the fact that I did Taekwondo. Usually after I bring it up men normally make the following remarks. "Boys better stay away from you." "I didn't know girls were allowed to do that!" "Have you ever beat someone up just because you can?" "Really, you just look so small, I'm sure I could take you in a fight!" All of those comments are things that have been said to me by men, boys, and even some girls. The one that normally upsets me the most is where people say that boys should "stay away from you." I hate this comment because it makes a multitude of assumptions about my life. For example, it assumes that I would ever use my martial arts training to hurt others in a negative way. 

It was not just these comments that bothered me, but the sexism I noticed when a man said that he does Taekwondo in comparison to the feedback I received. I've seen guys get pats on the back, high-fives, and praise for doing the same sport I do. Just because I am female and they're male it automatically causes people to think that I would be dangerous or violent because I do a sport that teaches self defense whereas men are seen as cool, strong, and interesting. I know so many guys who are my training partners and they are cool, strong, and interesting, but my question is if they are all of those things why can't I be that too? I know so many other women who have experienced the exact same sexism that I have. This trend is continuing throughout most co-ed sports, whether it be volleyball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, and so much more. 

We as a society should be building our athletes up and supporting them. Diminishing their achievements because of gender does nothing be perpetuate sexism. That's Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF). This foundation advocates for women to play and work in sports by providing them a community of other women who support and love them. Go to their website  to read more and stop the fight against women in sports. Also, next time you see a woman and sports just remember she did the same, if not more than a man did, to get there and should be treated as such.