female olympic diving commentator monotone

The Monotone Commentary of Female Olympic Divers: A Study on Gender Bland Sexism

As I settled into my seat to watch the NCAA women's swimming and diving championship, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in commentary between male and female athletes. Specifically, I was struck by the monotone delivery of the commentator describing Missy Franklin's dive as the ninth best play of the day. This lackluster approach is a prime example of gender bland sexism, a phenomenon that has been studied extensively in recent years.

Gender bland sexism refers to the subtle yet pervasive ways in which women athletes are often portrayed as lacking excitement or merit compared to their male counterparts. This can manifest in a variety of ways, from commentators simply not bothering to highlight a female athlete's accomplishments to using language that diminishes her achievements.

One notable example of this phenomenon is John McEnroe's recent comment on National Public Radio, where he stated that Serena Williams would be like 700th in the world if she played in the men's circuit. This kind of trivialization of women athletes' abilities is not only patronizing but also damaging to their self-esteem and confidence.

In a study published in Gender & Society, researchers found that despite egregious examples of sexist commentary still occurring, there has been a shift in how televised news and highlight shows cover women's sports over the years. While some commentators still resort to objectifying and trivializing language, others have begun to adopt a more neutral tone when discussing female athletes.

It is essential for us to recognize and challenge these subtle forms of sexism, which can be just as damaging as overtly sexist comments. By promoting a more inclusive and respectful atmosphere in sports commentary, we can work towards creating a more equitable and empowering environment for women athletes to thrive.

In the end, it is crucial that we move beyond mere platitudes about equality and actually work towards creating change. As researchers continue to study gender bland sexism, it is essential that we listen to their findings and take action to address these issues head-on. Only then can we ensure a more inclusive and respectful sports media landscape for all athletes, regardless of gender.

Female olympic diving commentator monotone