SB, while in line with my way of thinking on a lot of women's issues, draws the line when profit comes into the conversation. We disagree mainly when discussing funding for female athletes. He wants to relate compensation with popularity and overall earnings of the tournaments, including television coverage. It's not like I don't understand his point but I think that women being disallowed from even trying to compete until the last few decades has placed a restriction on the development of women's sports, and I think that there is a need for affirmative action to give women a chance to catch up. In many sports, women still have to work to support their sporting careers, and not being able to train full time will affect performance. SB's agrees that we have restricted women but then shifts the argument to women in tennis playing smaller sets than men. I grudgingly agree. Then he admits that he actually prefers watching women's tennis these days because the men's game seems to have (d)evolved into being almost entirely about the serve while he can still enjoy volleys in the women's game.
Recently, we had an interesting turn. Several US women's soccer players are suing because not only are they being paid 25% of the salaries that the men are drawing, but the women's soccer team generated $20 million more revenue last year than the men’s team. To add insult, the women have three world championships and an Olympic gold medal for the past several years of effort, while the men have achieved...well, we'll get back to you on that. Many prominent members of the men's team, including goalie Tim Howard, have come out to support the women.
SB admits that without knowing more information, it seems unfair. If there was such thing as a feminist flag, I would be waving it.
Someone ought to commission a feminist flag. It should feature at the very least, Germaine Greer's armpits and a fish on a bicycle.
***post note:
USA Today reminds us that U.S. Figure Skating has always given its male stars the same as its female stars even women by far outdraw them. A top USFS official explained that they wanted to grow the sport with boys. It was seen as a smart investment. Interesting.
Recently, we had an interesting turn. Several US women's soccer players are suing because not only are they being paid 25% of the salaries that the men are drawing, but the women's soccer team generated $20 million more revenue last year than the men’s team. To add insult, the women have three world championships and an Olympic gold medal for the past several years of effort, while the men have achieved...well, we'll get back to you on that. Many prominent members of the men's team, including goalie Tim Howard, have come out to support the women.
SB admits that without knowing more information, it seems unfair. If there was such thing as a feminist flag, I would be waving it.
Someone ought to commission a feminist flag. It should feature at the very least, Germaine Greer's armpits and a fish on a bicycle.
***post note:
USA Today reminds us that U.S. Figure Skating has always given its male stars the same as its female stars even women by far outdraw them. A top USFS official explained that they wanted to grow the sport with boys. It was seen as a smart investment. Interesting.
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