Gender Bias In Coaching Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Gender Bias In Coaching - Research Paper Example And there are generalizations. â€Å"Females don’t make good coaches† is one of those generalizations. Because there are not enough coaches in sports, it is generally taken that women are not good coaches. The common perception and the common language create a gender bias for women coaches. People are still not treated equal, same with women, and more with women coaches, no matter what kind of sports. Men have this stereotypical bias that they are stronger than women, physically and mentally. All this is grounded in men’s belief systems, that is why it is very difficult to be a coach, even though the male coach is for a feminine sport. We have been living in a patriarchal society since the beginning of time. It has always been that way and, perhaps, may not change rapidly – the way society will deal with women and women coaches and the way people consider gender. What is perceived is different – or the opposite – as compared to what is writte n; the law is not always followed, but what people think is what is being observed and done. And what is right – that men are far more superior than women and that they should have more in law and in benefits? Person (2010) says that there is the traditional wisdom that women are only for feminine sports like gymnastics or cheerleading and that they should not engage in ‘high physical contact’ sports and activities. A law was passed in 1972, known as Title IX of the Educational Amendments, which granted women rights to play in all sports. Title IX protects the rights of students and employees from discrimination based on gender. Person (2010) indicated that while Title IX provides equal opportunity for women in sports, it does not provide equal opportunity in specific sports. For example, while there is no women equivalent for American football, women are provided options to consider other sports like volleyball or hockey which, according to Person, does not mean equality as ‘options do not mean equal’. Women coaches for feminine sports are also discriminated. Another stereotyping is that female coaches are lesbians. This is clear gender bias. There are even some women who think that way. So, it is no surprise that men have that perception and feeling. People look at the outside appearance and not the qualities of the job the person has been hired. Since the woman coach is seen that way, it would be hard for administrators and supervisors to give them benefits or raise their salaries. B. Men coaches are paid higher than women coaches If people were given the chance of evading the truth or playing with the law, they would do this in artistic and creative ways. I thought that, as regards the university and the students’ sports world, people should be concerned of improving their skills and pursuing excellence in their talents. But later I realized, after reading about women and equality, that there’s much to be done aside from pursuing excellence. Laws promoting equality have been perfected, but their implementation has been ignored. Despite the provision of Title IX for equality between men and women coaches, the fact remains that men coaches are paid much more than women. According to Tyler (2012), schools and universities tried to play it around Title IX by showing that the pay for coaches of women’