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The 99er's: Traditional Gender Stereotypes

Decent Essays

Society expects males and females to adopt, accept, and accommodate specific gender roles and stereotypes that have been previously established. In western society, males are expected to be an alpha, independent, and athletic type, whereas females are typically expected to be obedient, nurturing, and reserved. Society demands conformity to an enforced gender order. When these gender norms are pushed beyond its boundaries, it is common for labels to be given, questions to be asked, and individuals to be ridiculed. While “traditional” gender stereotypes have remained fairly constant over the past few centuries, they have also been challenged. One specific area in which traditional gender stereotypes has been challenged is in sports. This raises …show more content…

women’s soccer team that won the 1999 Women’s World Cup. This was a huge feat not only for those particular women, but for many women and children who played soccer in general. Little girls looked up to players like Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, as well as the rest of the team and that was an achievement in its self. For once, in a world dominated by male sports, there were female athlete role models. They paved the way for current American players like Abby Wambach and Hope Solo, while women’s soccer continues to draw huge crowds not only for World Cup matches, but for the Olympics as well. Mia Hamm once stated, that “all those young girls who were in the parking lots with our jerseys on, that whatever they wanted to do or dream or be, they could. That’s what was so empowering about the entire experience” (Nine for IX: The 99er’s). The documentary was apart of an even bigger project, known as Nine for IX. While it showcased little to do with Title IX, it did show that the United States was opening up to the idea of women playing soccer professionally. While it is said that soccer has no gender, that statement can be debated. Soccer in the United States is known for being a females sport, hence why males get teased and are called foot-fairies from other sport teams, while in Europe Futball it is known as a man’s game and is highly encouraged to play. While the United States has socially accepted women in soccer and …show more content…

In a ‘Historic Decision’, the Turkish Football Federation ruled that the Fenerbahce soccer team would play two games with no supporters as a punishment after fans invaded a pre-season scrimmage. Later, the federation rectified their decision and allowed women and children to attend instead. One evening at a soccer match in Turkey, forty-one thousand fans showed up to support their team to victory, however, a closer look revealed a different crowd than usual. Due to a ban on men and teenage boys after game-related violence, only women and children were allowed to spectate. Male fans on both teams aged over twelve were banned from attending the game, while women, girls and younger boys were allowed in for free. Such measures were taken due to numerous cases of extreme hooliganism among the male fans in the league last season. “This really is a historic day. For the first time in the world, only women and children will watch a game” stated Yasemin Mercil, a female member of Fenerbahce’s executive board. The Turkish media did report however, that at least one man made it in to the stadium, disguised under a headscarf and women’s clothing (Spiegel). This incident shows that men will do anything for soccer, just like

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