It is alarming how threatened some wrestlers and other male athletes
feel about sharing. The shortage mentallity, that there isn't enough to
go around, makes all participants losers. Without Title IX, nearly 100%
of athletic budgets were for male sports. We can never go back to that
era. Women and men are on the same playing field. We are on the same
team. We need to work together to find ways to share resources for
sports.
Is it a knee-jerk reaction to blame womyn and girls for their wanting to
have athletic opportunities? But blaming females doesn't explain the
alleged decrease in interest in men's wrestling. One could blame the
stunts and acting of World Wrestling Federation that has turned
wrestling into a sideshow. One could blame the growing interest in
soccer or other sports. One could blame homophobia, people who are
uncomfortable (outraged) that boys and men are touching each other
(being so intimate). One could blame mismanagement of athletic budgets
that overlook wrestlers and their interests.
Bottom line is sports afford both gynders with many benefits. Learning
to play and to compete. Learning to win. Learning how to accept losses.
Developing physical fitness and staying healthy. Developing friendships.
Practicing skills of competition and cooperation that are essential in
education, homes, and the work place. Both gynders need athletic
opportunities. The focus should be on challenging the administrators and
directors that hinder our (female and male athletes) right to compete,
to develop, and to play.
Sharon Hushka
sharynh@earthlink.net
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