TOXIC MASCULINITY isn't new (Intro)
The sports world is an easy example of how men have taken control and ruled a specific industry, and for a long time, without any pushback. Whether it be playing, coaching, reporting and even officiating, men have held the reigns for years, and we are just now getting a handle on it. Sports media put it in everyone's minds that only men know about sports, and women do not. Also, that athletes are considered Gods and should be able to do whatever they want.
But, the current issues at hand that have been brought to light by sports fans across the country and world. The cultivated fear that was brought by the media in the sports world, is slowly deteriorating.
People have been suffering at the hands of toxic men since the beginning of time. Let’s dive into this…
Photo Credits: Hannah Sullivan
For a long time, the only women involved in sports were either the cheerleaders you saw on the sidelines of football games or the ones in bikinis on the cover of Sports Illustrated and/or other magazines. The norm was that women were not the ones getting down and dirty, the men were because that was what masculine men did.
This has been going on since the beginning of time. Even though the media was not how it is today, it still made an impact on how people viewed sports and how toxic masculinity was cultivated by the sports media.
The media has affected the way people view sports and the people who participate in them. The public is supposed to view sports as a "manly activity" and that women belong on the sidelines cheering and spectating.
From sculptures to instagram, the media has been able to form the way we understand the sports world for their benefit and as entertainment. Since the media is the only way people can be updated on sporting events besides actually attending them, we have to trust and believe what the media says and shows about sports, right or wrong.
History has shown that even though the media is a good outlet to find out the score of a football game, it is also the reason why toxic masculinity is seen in sports.