With the numerous class discussions about gender in sports and the stories of Caster Semenya all over the media, this is a perfect time to talk about gender in sport. The issue with Caster Semenya is that people feel she has both female and male traits. The issue that arises from this is gender testing. Many people have different opinions on this, as we have experienced in class. Some people say test everyone. The problem with this opinion is the money issue. Some say just test the people that look like they have both male and female traits. The problem with this is you are singling people out by doing this, which is discriminatory.
In my own opinion I feel that all females in competitive sports should be tested. I also feel there is no reason to test men. Some people will probably criticize me for saying this. My reasons for this are pretty simple. The first is the money issue, you can’t test everyone since this would be entirely too costly. The second is, why test males? If they already have shown they can hang with other professional male athletes, then what would be the reason behind testing them? The third reason is all females should be tested because it’s unfair to females if a male is competing against a female, as in most cases males are stronger, faster, and quicker than females. I just feel it is a competitive advantage for a male against a female, but not a female against a male.
You are right in saying that some might disagree with you about testing all females but not males. It does expose the underlying belief that males are always superior. While we could say that it just seems obvious to conclude that, and yet, that is how hegemony works--it just seems obvious. As it turned out with Semenya, it was not just what people were saying, but also the tests confirmed that she is intersex. What happens to those who are intersex? Where should Semenya be able to compete, or should she be denied because she does not fit neatly into one category or the other?
ReplyDeleteI agree that money would be an issue because it would cost alot of money to test every athletes gender, but i feel as though it is a step that should be taken in order to prevent more problems. And not only females should be tested. Males should be tested as well to keep it fair.
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