Representation of Women in Sports

The participation of women has increased since Title IX however, the media coverage between male and female athletes is still unequal and different. Women are photographed out of their athletic environment, sexualized, mostly "pretty" women are photographed and not "ugly," pregnant, or disabled women and they are likely to not make a cover of a magazine for their athletic abilities. Female athletes are also expected to be heterosexual and prove this by being pictured with a man or with children. Female athletes are pressured by society and the media to be feminine on and off the field.