Sex Sells - But Does It Sell Women's Sports?
Consider Gabrielle Reece, Brandi Chastain, Maria Sharapova, Danica Patrick, and Amanda Beard? Do you remember their sports achievements or just their sexy photo shoots?
The controversy around using sex to sell women's sports isn't new, but each time a new icon emerges the questions and debates begin. Should the media push the sex-appeal of the top female athetes? Should women use their body's to advance in the sport?
According to one study those sexy photos don't necessarily promote or encourage people to follow women's sports, and they don't make anyone more likely to attend a women's sporting event, or boost ticket sales. Researchers at the Tucker Center for Research of Girls and Women in Sport, at the University of Minnesota say those sexy photos are actually undermining women's sports because most women are turned off by the photos. Women who become active and involved in sports respond to images of strong, competent women, and the sexy photos actually turn them away from sports. And the young men who do like the photos aren't any more likely to attend a women's sporting event.
What do you think? Take the poll, leave your comments and be heard.
Poll: Sex Sells But Is It Good for Women's Sports?
(to vote, simply select a response below. Have more to say? Add your comments below.)
Sure - It Promotes Women's Sports
No - It's demeaning!
It Empowers Women
It's Their Choice to Pose for Sexy Photos
If Ya Got It, Flaunt It!
It Sends the Wrong Message to Girls.
Another Answer (add to comments)
I would like to say that though i myself am not a person who thinks that posing is necessarily demeaning, we unfortunately live in a very subcontiously bias society and i think that if a female wants to be taken as a serious athlete, then it would not be advisable for her to pose for things that would weaken her image as an athlete. i hope that one day, all atletes will be taken seriously for their abilities and not their gender.