This document discusses the sexualization and exploitation of female athletes in media. It notes that while male athletes are portrayed as powerful and strong, female athletes are often seen as sexual objects. Various quotes from experts highlight how this diminishes female athletes and the self-esteem of women viewers. Examples are given of the differences in uniforms and media coverage of male and female athletes. The document calls for society to change how it views female athletes and give them equal attention and respect.

1. Sexualization and
Exploitation of
Female Athletes in
the Media
By Tyler Kohl

2. In Today’s society, we have
many different standards
that put pressure on the
way that we as people,
present ourselves. One of
the main struggles is
deciphering what it means
to be male or female.

3. The professional sports
industry specifically strains
gender differences. The
gender differences present
an overwhelming challenge
for women to be accepted in
a male dominant business.

4. The way that women are
sexualized and exploited to
the public has almost
become the social norm in
the way that society views a
woman’s role within the
sports industry.
(http://mkopas.net/courses/soc287/2012/08/06/gender-differences-sports-
sexualizing-women/)

5. Why is it that male
athletes are
portrayed as
powerful, successful,
and strong in the
media?

11. ..and women are looked
at as fragile, vulnerable,
sexual objects?

21. “No matter the reason, a female
athlete’s willingness to flaunt her
beauty is a marketer’s dream. After
all, sports – including women’s sports
– are an industry run by and geared
toward men.”
– Alyssa Roenigk, ESPN The Magazine

23. “By publicizing glorified, seemingly
unattainable standards of women,
the media’s sexualization of
female athletes can actually
diminish the self-esteem of female
viewers at large”
– Emily Liang, The Media’s
Sexualization of Female Athletes:
A bad call for the Modern Game

24. Not to mention the very
noticeable difference
between male and
female uniforms…

25. San Diego
Seduction
San Diego
Chargers

26. Tamira Paszek Roger Federer

27. USA Women’s
Volleyball Team
USA Men’s
Volleyball Team

28. USA Men’s Sand
Volleyball
USA Women’s Sand
Volleyball

29. “When it comes to this issue of female athletes,
I’m always surprised that others are
surprised that the percentage of media
coverage for them is so low. I live that stat
every day in my work and take it for
granted, but it’s not common
knowledge. I’ve also been struck by how
aware female athletes and coaches are to this
issue; they feel ignored, slighted, and less
important.” – Dr. Mary Jane De Souza, Ph.D.

31. Society must change the way
we look at female athletes,
and give them the equal
attention that they deserve.

33. Bibliography
 "2014 Female Athlete Triad Consensus Statement on Guidelines for
Treatment and Return to Play." NCAA Public Home Page. N.p., n.d.
Web. 04 Dec. 2014.
 "Gender Roles in Sports Media Coverage." YouTube. YouTube, n.d.
Web. 04 Dec. 2014.
 "Women in Sports Nike Commercials." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 04
Dec. 2014.
 "Body Issue 2012: Carmelita Jeter." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 04
Dec. 2014.
 "Multimedia." Media Coverage & Female Athletes: Tucker Center for
Research on Girls & Women in Sport. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.

34. Bibliography (Cont.)
 "SI Swimsuit Covers Through the Years." SI.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014
 "Empowering Women in Sports - Women Athletes in the Media - Feminist
Majority Foundation." Empowering Women in Sports - Women Athletes in the
Media - Feminist Majority Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.
 "How the Media Portrays Female Athletes." How the Media Portrays Female
Athletes. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.