Gender, Race, Disability, and Sport: Breaking Barriers, Slides of Physical Education and Motor Learning

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Gender Issues in Sport

Today it is possible for women to take part in almost any sport. Changes in today's society have given women more opportunity to control their own lives and chose to participate in the sport of their choice. This was not always so. The history of sport is mainly the history of men's sport.

TASK

List the sports in which you have seen women participating?

What needs to be changed? (cont)

Gender stereotyping continues into adult life. Some sports are still seen as unsuitable for women. Women will often think that playing sport will make them unattractive. Married women are expected to take responsibility for the home and children, which reduces the time they have for sport. Sport for the mother is a low priority in family life Male sports dominate TV and Newspapers, however these views are changing and stereotyping is being broken down.

What is being done?

In order to change these views and give women equallity in sport the Government has had a number of campaigns. All of the campaigns have had the following aims:-

• To improve girls skills and develop a positive attitude towards sport.
• Increase the opportunities for women to take part in sport.
• Increase the opportunities for women to improve their level of performance.
• To increase the number of women involved in organised sport.
• To encourage all organisations to have equal opportunities.
• To improve communication about women in sport.

The ‘Women's Sports Foundation’ supports women's sport. It has a national action plan for women's and Girls Sport.

Black and Ethnic Minorities In

Sport

In our multicultural society, people of all races and ethnic background take part in sport at all levels. As a result of this we often assume that they face no problems in sport. However there is discrimination and disadvantage in sport as there is in everyday life

What needs to Change?

Racism means not treating people of different races equally. Racists often hold stereotypical views about people from different backgrounds. This leads to sporting myths, such as ‘black people can not swim at top levels’. This is nonsense.

Personal racism is seen when black and ethnic minority people are made to feel unwelcome by individuals and sports clubs. A shameful example can be found in football, when England played Spain in 2005, when ever an English player of black origin touched the ball the racist Spanish fans made ‘Monkey’ Chants. There is no place for this disgraceful act in sport.

What is being done?

In 1993 the Sports Council published a policy and their objectives still apply. Their aims are to work towards the elimination of racial disadvantage and discrimination. In order to achieve better quality sport for black and ethnic minority people.

There are 6 main objectives.

1. To raise awareness of racially inequality in sport.
2. To increase the number of black and ethnic minority decision makers in sport.
3. To increase the number of black and ethnic minority sports people involved in sports organisations.
4. To improve skill and develop positive attitude to an active life.
5. To increase opportunities to take part in sport.
6. To increase opportunities to improve the level of performance of black and ethnic minority people. docsity.com

‘Kick it out’

In 1993 the Professional Footballers Association and

the commission for Racial Equality set up the

‘Let’s Kick Racism out of Football’ campaign. It is

still active now but is called ‘Kick it Out’. There are

many other campaigns in other sports that fight

to ensure racial equality.

Disability in sport, what needs to be

changed?

• It is not always possible for disabled people to get to sporting events. Transport and facilities may be difficult. There may not be suitable doors, entrances or lifts.
• Plans for facilities, funding for events do not always take into account the needs of competitors and spectators with disabilities.
• Planning should include training for

the people who work with sports persons with disabilities.

• Sport centres and clubs do not

automatically make provisions for everyone, including the disabled.

Disability in sport, what needs to

be changed? (cont)

• Governing bodies do not hold disabled events within their able bodies championships.
• People with disabilities may not be aware of organisations catering for their sporting needs.
• People with disability have had little opportunity to develop their sporting skills. - People with disabilities may not be able to afford the cost to taking part.
• The integration of school pupils with Disabilities into PE lessons presents Many challenges..

Older people and Sport

In general people become less physically active as they get older.

What needs to be changed?

If older people have not exercised for a long time then it is hard to get their bodies back working again.

Some may not have had the opportunity to learn the skills when they were younger.

Others may have illness that mean they need to be cautious when exercising.

Older people live on pensions and have limited money to spend on sport.

Older people may find it difficult to get to sports facilities.

Sport and the media is dominated by young people. There is not enough publicity for older people to achieve a high standard.

What is being done?

In 1983 the Sports Council started its campaign ‘ Sport for All – 50+ All to Play For’. This is still active today. It encourages older people to take part in sport. It emphasises not just the health benefits but also the social benefits of an active lifestyle. Sport provides the opportunity to meet.

Local authority Leisure Centres and Recreation departments usually offer a full range of activities for the 50+ age group and at discounted prices.