Sexualising women's sport

[SlowLifeLove]

AIBU? Started to notice that there appears to be a new thing, or maybe it's been an old thing that's just becoming more common. I was recently looking on Instagram and had noticed that many of the women using #crossfit or similar had cleavage shots - I mean body positioning, angled camera and lighting all set up to give you a stellar view of their boobs. At first I was kind of "meh" about it, as I feel it's 'their body, their choice' and it's easy to walk past and not look at a photograph or like a photograph.

Then I started to think about it a little more, I suppose because once I noticed it I started to subconsciously look for it. And with this I started to wonder if we sexualise women's sports too much, rather than just let them get on and play tactical, strong, intelligent activities? I've been reading some media articles recently and also starting to notice that looks are usually spoken about before achievements (even personal life and relationship status are mentioned).

So, has anyone noticed this becoming more of a thing recently, and, AIBU how you would stop it (I am pretty sporty, and would like to start maybe talking more openly about my feelings on it or writing a journal piece, or photography documentary to raise awareness of it).

[Tannyfastic]

The tabloid press have always (in my living memory) done this.
The upskirt tennis shots.
Ugh.

[Sirzy]

I don't think it's limited to just women's sport really. Think of things like calendars done by male sports teams etc.

I think it's more a case of people who have worked hard for their body wanting to show it off. Not sure it's a gender thing.

[SlowLifeLove]

@Sirzy see - I am starting to think it's the opposite. More and more I am starting to see women who are supposedly working hard for their body actually focusing on their boobs (and bum, but bum is slightly more understandable due to the build a butt brigade that's currently trending). I don't see men getting their nipples out or taking crotch shots too often.

@Tannyfastic I totally forgot about the up-skirt shots in tennis.

[Sirzy]

Plenty of men show off their 6 pack. What's the difference really?

[SlowLifeLove]

@Sirzy the difference between a six pack and boobs? Well women can have six packs too - I am seeing more photographs of boobs than six packs (if I wasn't there wouldn't be a point to this thread).

[Sirzy]

But both are them happily choosing to show off their own bodies both genders do it, can't say it is something I would do but at the sane time I really don't see how something people of both genders choose to do can be an issue for one and not the other?

[LedaP]

I work in the fitness industrym this is fairly normal. Of both sexes.

Not entirely comfortable with it tbh. When we attend expos it seems to be a competition to see who can wear the least amount of clothes.

Dh tells me the mens bathrooms is full of men doing their hair, checking their body, topping up body make up etc. Just like the womens bathroom is.

[Sample1936]

Volley ball shorts and tennis skirts are the worst...

[sirfredfredgeorge]

Women's sport is certainly sexualised more than mens, and it's difficult to be sure how much this is the women choosing to vs being forced too.

Instagram'ing your own fitness activities to get followers and attention is quite different though I'd say, the individual is choosing to do it, and whilst their reasons may not be something to respect, it is their choice.

[LedaP]

Actually going to amend my post.

Do you mean sport or instagram?

Both men and women use sexualised photos under the guise of fitness on instagram to attract more followers.

In actual sport i do think women are expected to be attractive as well as good at their sport. Men not so much. But both sexes can make a lot more money if they are attractive.

[noeffingidea]

Women's sport has always been 'sexualised' to some extent. So has men's sport, though not as much of course.
Attractive, 'sexy' people attract more fans to the sport which attracts more sponsorship. That's life.
Of course, people, especially women, have to go further and be more overt than previously. See the music industry. Being subtle about it doesn't really get you noticed nowadays.

[SlowLifeLove]

'especially women, have to go further and be more overt than previously' I think this is what I have started to question - thank you for that phrase noeffingidea

I have no problem with people sharing their athletic bodies (male or female), it's the fact that more often than not now I am seeing photographs where I guess women feel they need to get their boobs out for that photograph to be seen at them being fit and healthy.

I just think it's a shame women feel like the boobs are needed, in my mind they definitely don't bring anything to the scene.

I love following the fitness stories on instagram - it's really cool to see their progress and transformations (as well as strength and dedication). I find it inspirational and motivating.

[LastnightaDJ]

Yanbu

Stopping it will require girls and women generally to just not do it. But articulating the issue is a very good start so please please do write your piece's!!!!

[SlowLifeLove]

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

My flatmate in 2005ish did her dissertation on words used to describe male and female athletes.
Overwhelmingly the males were described as strong, powerful, athletic etc and the women were all lithe petite and many other sexually charged words that I can't recall now.
Until women are genuinely respected in their fields for just being good and not judged on appearance then we're all fucked.

[LedaP]

This is how instagram and the fitness industry work together.

If you work in the industry the amount of followers you have directly impacts what you can charge for your services.

If you are a competative bodybuilder you are more likely to win a competition if you have a large social media following. Not nice but true.

The quickest way to get followers is sexualised photos. Both men and women in this industry know this. They also know most people following them dont give a shit about health and fitness. The priority is large amount of followers as quick as possible.

They dont have to do this. You can gather followers slowly. I have 15k, a friend has 30k and another friend has 90k. None of us take sexualised photos. But it has taken a long time to build those numbers. Especially the 90k.

But people dont want to wait. The boob shot with #fitnesstransformation has been around years. As has the man in a towel in dripping with water, with his cock almost out.

[HobblingHelen]

This video was doing the rounds last year but I think it highlights the difference in how women in sport are treated compared to men:

www.facebook.com/attn/videos/1104268306275294/

I'd love to see Andy Murray's reaction if he was asked to "give us a twirl and tell us about your outfit."

[LastnightaDJ]

But YANBU! it absolutely IS a problem in society at large.

[Thephoneywar]

I find strong, powerful and athletic sexy. Those are sexualised words about men for women. Why would you expect men to be described as petite or other sexualised words men use about women.

That makes no sense.

[SlowLifeLove]

'I find strong, powerful and athletic sexy.'

But to see strong, powerful and athletic do you feel the need to see a penis / boobs?

[Thephoneywar]

Are sportsmen showing off their penises? I must have missed that!

Men like boobs. I like seeing men's athletic sexy chests. Yum.