Non Traditional Activity for Women

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 20th century, society has undergone a massive change in outlook regarding the concept of women in sports. The following paper explores the social and cultural benefits of female athletes entering a non-traditional sport for their gender. The utility and limitations of concepts such as the female apologetic and subversive

acts are discussed. Through consideration of how femininities are embodied and lived in climbing it is concluded that whilst there is much to be gained from current theoretical approaches.

Introduction

I come from a background, that is society oriented and where education is given more preference than sports. Sports were considered only for men with few exceptions. We were allowed to play only those sports that were safe, not very challenging, and required less energy. We were told that women are supposed to be homely, and their job should be on focus on education and taking care of family. Men and women were treated as two separate entities. They believed that if women engage in unusual activity their homely image may get spoiled. I feel that this ideology is very similar to Victorian era, where women were discouraged from watching and participating in physical activity.

This view was held because a woman was supposed to be passive, obedient and attractive to her male friends. Traditionally men have dominated sport. In fact, it was often argued that sport was harmful to women. This attitude has changed dramatically especially since the 1960s when the women's liberation movement strongly demanded equality for women. Throughout many historical periods, women have been perceived as the weaker sex. Often this perception was based on biological structural observations which showed that women in general had narrower and smaller shoulders and broader pelvic girdles than men. This perception was believed to make "running, throwing; striking, and climbing activities more difficult for her than the typical man"(p:31)

Women who choose to pursue leisure experiences such as body building, rock climbing, and rugby playing without having to confront the traditional expectations around femininity or gender identity. (p:73) In feminist theory the body has emerged as a central issue in relation to ideas of femininity and women's