Women In Sports

Women in sports are looked to for inspiration for young adolescent girls. They show that they can make it just as much the the world of sports as any man can. However, what does the media actually show of these athletes? Are they strong women? Women with goals in life? Or just cute little women that try so hard to play a "man's" sport?

Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm was the youngest women to play for the USA Women's National League at the age of 15. She is a role model to young adolescent girls. The media portrays her as a strong woman with high ambition.




Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick is a professional race car driver. She is a historic female first to win IndyCar at the Indy Japan 300. However, despite her accomplishments, it seems to be her looks that made her famous and not her talent. She is continually portrayed in the media as the sex symbol of the racing industry.


Serena Williams

Serena Williams is an American professional woman tennis athlete. Her and her sister are two of the top tennis players in the world. Despite her popularity and influence, her outburst towards a line-official at the latest U.S. Open has made people question her positive influence on young athletes.

One question I would like to address is what about male athletes doing the same act Serena had done? There are plenty of male athletes who had displayed the same amount of anger towards officials, yet they do not get criticized in the media as harshly as women.