1 ‘You run like a girl!’
You will begin by examining the commonly used insult: ‘You run like a girl!’ Why is that a derogatory comment when we see highly competent female athletes such as British record holder Dina Asher-Smith (Figure 1) competing on the track? Do you think that derogatory comments like this discriminate against women? What impact do you think comments like this have on young girls?
To get a flavour of why gender is a contemporary issue in sport, and why it is important to study it, complete Activity 1.
Activity 1 Why study gender in sport?
Listen to the audio below in which Helen Owton speaks to Katie Barak. As you listen, reflect on why gender is a contemporary issue and why it is of relevance to you.
Please note that any reference to ‘course’ in this audio refer to the Open University course E314, rather than this OpenLearn course.
Transcript
Comment
Gender is an issue for women and men to consider, study and become passionate about in sport. Katie discusses the importance of intersectionality, which is the idea that everyone is composed of multiple intersecting identities. Race, gender, class, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity and ability are all part of someone’s identity and they are not experienced exclusively.