Double standards
by Volker Weber
(AP Photo/Dave Martin)
(AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Nettavisen reports:
Women's sand volleyball is sex-fixated and discriminating, stated former Swedish equality minister Margareta Winberg. She gets support from her Norwegian colleague.
Men are allowed to play sand volleyball in shorts and singlets, while women are not allowed to wear bikini bottoms that have side seams that are broader than seven centimetres.
I think there is some truth in that statement. The women sure are very pleasant to look at. As would be the men. If the women have a dress code that makes them "show off", why not apply the same rules to the men? I am sure that would look just as nice.
Yahoo has 200+ photos.
Comments
Actually the female players do not care too much about the "dress code". As always it is someone from the outside, who thinks (s)he has to make comments...
Oh well, JBK also commented on that. However, he was talking about only four centimeters. I don't mind in either case and as long as the players don't mind ... well, there are more important things to worry about I would think.
Mike - you've interviewed them all? If you assume the women don't mind, then why have the restriction? If they feel comfortable this way, they will keep wearing these outfits. If they don't they will wear shorts, or some will. It might open the playing field up to those who do feel too exposed. The current situation is just sexist, not because the women wear less, but because they don't have a choice that the men do.
I agree with Ben. Beach volleyball is somewhat of a joke sport compared to the real thing anyway. Bluntly, if they didn't wear the skimpy clothing, it probably wouldn't be broadcast or draw half the audience it has. It cheapens the sport of volleyball.
OTOH, there is no professional volleyball option for darned good players. Misti May was a helluva college athlete at Long Beach State, and Kerri Walsh was great at Stanford. I suppose both of them are thankful they can continue to play a sport they live AND make a living at it.
Oh, the trade-offs!
If I'm correct, the dress code for "normal" female volleybal was changed a few years ago, precisely to make the players more sexy. They were not happy with that because the men didn't have to wear "sexy" stuff and because they want people to look at them for their sport, not for their bodies.
For most men, it would be no problem showing off their body.
Except for the lack of breasts.
;o)
Got some, want'em? ;-)
