The difference between sex and gender in one photo

[OldTurtleNewShell]

I'm sure that the news of the Norwegian women's handball team being fined for wearing shorts instead of the regulation (max 10cm) bikini bottoms has been covered elsewhere, but I've just seen this picture emerge and I think it perfectly encapsulates the differences between sex and gender.
It shows the male team next to the female team in their respective official uniforms.
Presumably, as these are the official teams, these are the top athletes in that field for each team. It's incredibly clear from the photo that the men's team consists of far taller and more muscular individuals than the women's (even though the women are all quite muscular).
There's the obvious sex difference right there.
And then, there's the uniforms. The women are required to wear tiny and revealing outfits (even when they object) that simply aren't applied to the men's team. And there's the gender.
If someone wanted to transfer from the female team to the male one, they'd be unlikely to qualify as they'd likely not be as powerful or tall as the men.
If someone wanted to transfer from the male team to the female one, they'd almost certainly qualify as they'd be more taller or more muscular than any of the female team.
And if the entire male team wanted to transfer to the female one (theoretically of course), then it's likely most of the existing female team would no longer qualify and there'd be no female team members across either team.
There'd just be two male teams, one of which wore bikini bottoms and one that wore shorts.
I really like this photo. I think it encapsulates the issues perfectly.

[DPotter]

I totally agree with you. Sums it up to T

[MrsOvertonsWindow]

Agreed OP - a great image to highlight the current sexism and lack of concern for women's sport being played out world wide.

[unwashedanddazed]

I can't get my head around how they can legally force the women's team to wear these clothes. The blatant sex discrimination is infuriating.

[unwashedanddazed]

But yes OP perfect example of sex and gender.

[PurpleHoodie]

F' Hell!

I'm glad they stood their ground and paid the fines.

Arseholes, making them wear the skimpiest of knickers: the men can just concentrate on the physicality of hitting the ball, whilst the women have to constantly concentrate on their bum falling out, and their pictures being splashed around.

Sexist arseholes.

[WineAcademy]

Good analysis and observations.

Sex = why women are oppressed
Gender = how women are oppressed

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Brilliant OP. Thanks, nailed it.

[WomaninBoots]

And if they switched uniforms we would still be able tell which was the male team and which was the female team...

[sunnygemini]

All very good points well made and a photo to evidence them.

[Nachthex]

I'm quite shocked seeing that photo: what possible objective reasons could be given for making the women play in those ridiculous things?

If a male team member decided to transition and played on the women's team, I guess he'd have to wear that get-up too.

[SirSamuelVimes]

Brilliant post.

[Tibtom]

If a male team member decided to transition and played on the women's team, I guess he'd have to wear that get-up too

Didn't it suddenly become possible for certain 'women' gymnasts to wear shorts rather thn a high cut leotard?

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Poster-worthy, if anyone is good at captions.

[Ilikeknitting]

This is so annoying.

I did suggest to my DH that the ladies team should all grow out their fanny hair until it’s down to their knees, let it flap about in the breeze and I bet the rules change pronto!

[LastSummerHere]

@Tibtom

If a male team member decided to transition and played on the women's team, I guess he'd have to wear that get-up too

Didn't it suddenly become possible for certain 'women' gymnasts to wear shorts rather thn a high cut leotard?

Yes. Female gymnasts have for years asked to wear more than just a leotard but were dismissed. The second males wish to colonise female gymnastics, shorts are permitted.

[Binglebong]

@WineAcademy

Good analysis and observations.

Sex = why women are oppressed
Gender = how women are oppressed

This is perfect.

[malloo]

this is excellent, thanks OP

[Nachthex]

Yes Tibtom & Last Summer, I recall it being imperative that the line of the hip of female gymnasts absolutely had to be seen by the judges, you know for 'technical reasons'. But strangely, those reasons didn't apply when the new type of girl gymnast appeared. Odd, that.

I also recall something about about if the new type of girl gymnast had to wear the briefer cut it would out them as a transgirl. But 'Tiffany' still being allowed to compete in shorts didn't. Or some such illogical twaddle.

[NothingTraLaLa]

My DD’s (all girls) school are running an extra-curricular handball course next year with the aim of getting more people into the sport. Obviously the girls will be wearing their normal PE kit for this, but if DD turns out to be good at handball and wants to take it further then I think this kind of gear is likely to be quite off-putting for a teenage girl.

[Weebleweeble]

Also the rape stats - The Crime Survey for England and Wales shows 151,000 people - including 144,000 women - were victims of rape or attempted rape in the last year for which these figures are available.
Men are the bigger, stronger sex, hence the figure.

[MotionActivatedDog]

Perfectly exhibited OP!! You are spot on.

[RedDogsBeg]

Echoing others, you have absolutely nailed it, OP.

[eightlivesdown]

It's supposed to be a sporting competition not for titillation, so there's no reason why the women have to wear such brief outfits.

[lightswitchmoment]

Wow, I'm amazed by this. Spot on OP. Is there a sport where males are subjected to such a revealing 'kit'. The only I can think of is diving but do they need such skimpy speedos?

[WomaninBoots]

On the flip side wasn't there a hoo-hah this week about a female track athlete's kit being "inappropriate" according to an official? She was wearing pants and a crop top but not as revealing as the handball team kit...