How can feminists say that women athletes have to dress s**y?

Question

while men athletes do not have to dress s**y ? Surely what is s**y to men isn't necessarily s**y to women and that might be why male runners do not wear the exact same outfit as female runners. How can feminists argue female athletes are the ones who have to dress s**y because men and women athletes do not wear the exact same outfit ?

http://viv.id.au/blog/?p=2066

Answer 1

Feminist are not saying women athletes have to dress s**y... They are simply wondering why they are forced to wear sexier uniforms that have no basis of performance to their male counter parts.  The Olympics should not be about s*x appeal but more about the skill that is brought to the event.  Why can't the female runners wear what the males are wearing?  If you saw that article and those pictures and you didn't see it then there is nothing anyone can say to you about it.  You are set and determined to miss the obvious.

Edit: Where does it say that the Olympics is for your pleasure to view the body of any gender?  Is that what it is about?  Would those women not be s**y in shorts and tank tops?  Why don't you get your head out of your genitals.  Everything does not need to be about s*x.

Maybe some of us women are bizzare especially me because one I don't watch the Olympics in the first place I just don't care.  However if I were to watch them I can't imagine my concern was whether I found the player attractive but more if they can play the game.  They shouldn't have to put the women in little outfits to encourage men to watch.

The men don't have to dress s**y they are wearing what is recommended to wear for the sport that they are playing.  Its not s**y is practicle.

You right though about what is s**y for men is not the same as what is s**y for women.  So I think you will have to trust us when we say the men are not dressed s**y as the women we would be the ones to know.... Right?

Answer 2

I don;t like some of the outfits I've seen on the female athletes, especially for track and field. There's no reason they have to wear outfits that show their middles and are tight fitting. I watched a part of the women's marathon and some of those runners looked to be practically naked.

Answer 3

This is one of those "why bother" type of fights that some feminist chose to push on against. Really, if you seriously sit and think about the topic being discussed, you have to ask yourself "who cares"? If these women chose to wear these outfits, why even waste time worrying about it. If I'm not mistaken, the players do have some sort of say in what they will and will not wear. So if they don't like the style or the cut of the uniform, they really don't have to wear it. And anyone in my own personal opinion who argues that this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed is someone who has nothing else better to do with their time.

Answer 4

Which feminists said that?  Why do anti-feminists assume that they know everything that every feminist ever said?  What the h**l are you talking about?

EDIT: Okay, in all fairness, I didn't check the link before.

With that said: I STAND CORRECTED.  This not the opinion of every feminist, and the pictures speak for themselves, dude.  You deemed your point invalid by posting that link.

Answer 5

I simply wonder why the obvious gets by you so often.     Baggy shorts and clothes are not s**y.    

Answer 6

I'm sorry, which feminists say that?  I say that if women wear little shorts and bikinis for male watchers pleasure, I should get to see the men play in little shorts or speedos.  Now THAT is fair.  Male watchers want eye candy?  Hey, so do we female watchers!!

No, but to be serious and honest, I think both parties should simply dress in what is comfortable and best for the sport--not what is s**y.  My only problem is that one side is dressed up s**y while the other gets to wear whatever they want for comfort.

Answer 7

I read that article. It doesn't say that AT ALL!  It decries the fact that it's kind of obligatory at this point for women to dress s**y for their sports to get attention, while men don't have to dress in clothes that are quite as revealing. You're putting words into feminists' mouths, rather than arguing against the things actually said.

Answer 8

Sports is entertainment and just like any other form of entertainment entity a business will go the image route (ie s*x appeal in most cases) to generate viewership/revenue. If you want to see something that is all about the competition then play sports in your backyard or watch a high school game. Professional sports pimp their athletes: men and women alike. This is not unique to women.

If you have a problem with what female athletes are wearing then should have a problem with all of it.

Answer 9

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I believe most uniforms are based on function and not appearance.  Women's uniforms are more revealing, but when races are won by hundredths of a second, few athletes will opt to wear loose fitting clothes that increases drag.  Training in looser shorts is one thing, racing in them is another.  

The swimmers all wore those body suits to help reduce drag.  If anyone bothered to look it up, the material is lightweight and reduces drag up to 20-25% of bare skin.

As for beach volleyball, it's BEACH volleyball.  Most players will wear their swimsuits and I've read an article where a player said she was asked by her sponsor to wear a one piece.  She did and didn't like it.  Sand stayed trapped next to the body where it chafed.  Men play in board shorts, usually shirtless.  The only difference at the olympics is that they have to wear shirts.  (Personally, I'd rather not see men jump around in a speedo.)

As for the basketball photo, Australia is the only woman's team that dresses their players that way and another article said the look hasn't taken hold.

Sorry, I don't have the links to the different articles, but I read them within the last few days so they should be easy to find.

EDIT:  Are you trying to say that male athletes think they ARE dressing s**y for women?

EDIT again:  The gymnasts uniforms are custom made to fit and not ride up (although it occasionally happens)  So it is with the suits for the runners and volleyball players.  Sure, throwing yourself across the sand will cause it to move, but it's not meant to be constantly causing wedgies.  Do you honestly think anyone would want to play in a suit that was always riding up?  I just think this is a silly debate.  Most athletes will do whatever it takes to improve their chances, and if another athlete broke records wearing a skimpy suit, you can bet other athletes will soon follow suit. (pun not intended)

Answer 10

How can you look at the side by sides there and NOT see how sexualized the women's outfits are.. The basketball one was especially strange to me.. I've never seen anyone play basketball in something like that.

Also, look at the runners, those gals have tan lines on their thighs and midriffs.. they do not train in that attire, that is not what is comfortable for them.. they wear it because they have to.

Also, beach volleyball coverage is a joke, I can't believe how often the zoom in on the women's behinds!

Answer 11

When was the last time you heard anyone tell a team of male athletes to make sure they look good for the ladies in the stands? What is the sense in making female beach volleyball players wear bikinis when there are less skimpy clothes that will work just as well for the game? This is supposed to be a serious athletic competition, not a party in the Grotto.

Answer 12

I slightly understand your reasoning but I have to side with the feminist on this one.

First, it's not just the public who have complained about the uniforms, it's the athletes themselves as well. Sure it makes since to wear as little clothing as possible where the clothing actually impacts the outcome of the sport itself. But up your butt bathing suit bottoms in running and volleyball when the men are wearing long shorts and shirts that's just silly.

Second, while your right what is s**y to men and what is s**y to women is different, this is a serious competition and shouldn't be about sexualizing the players. I personally don't find anything the men wear s**y. If I want s**y I'd find Michael Phelps swimming in his little speedo, not some male volleyball player covered from head to toe. If we wanted to sexualize the men then make it mandantory they all walk around without their shirts on and with slightly tighter and shorter shorts. I mean you know us ladies would like to get a look at the full package.

Third, ok what is up with the basketball uniform? It looks like a unitard I use to have when I did ballet 5 years ago. That's just the weirdest uniform I've seen to date. Is that really necessary to play basketball?

The players don't have to wear the same uniforms but it would be nice and I'm sure the players would like it if they actually had clothes that fit and were comfortable. A permanent wedgie while you're trying to spike the ball is anything but comfortable. It's much easier to perform when you are comfortable in your attire.

Answer 13

I personally don't understand what all the hub bub is with the athletes outfits anyways.  If I were any one of those athletes, competing in a fierce competition, and determined to win a medal, I could care less what I'm wearing, as long as I did a good job, and I feel supporters should feel the same.  

And, apparently, nobody has watched the men's water polo competition either, as one example - speedos in the flesh.