Week 7: Female Sports Journalists

          This week’s articles of course hit close to home. It was tough reading some of the quotes and studies that were brought to my attention. Some stuff had me surprised. Some are perceptions I worry about everyday. And some others I have personally experienced. The Shain/Hardin article discussed how a large percentage of women in sports media have been harassed. I personally have had experiences with this. I know it might be wrong to think this, but to a certain point you have to understand that sexual harassment happens in this business. There are lines. Are they blurred? Absolutely. I’ve received comments I know are wrong and could land the certain people in a lot of hot water but as a female then you think, “do I want to burn this bridge I have? Do I want to ruin all the good I’ve done here because a nonthreatening but inappropriate comment was made?” I have reported coworkers before but I knew bridges would be burned before I went to HR.

Another topic in the Shain/Hardin article that surprised me and honestly made me nauseous was when one subject in a study “reported having players masterbate in front of her or throw jock straps at her.” Well at this point I’m just going to reference another quote from the article, “72 percent indicated that they has considered leaving their careers.” I highly doubt male reporters come across these events often in their careers. I hope with all my being that I never have similar issues.

The Kian article brought up my everyday worries concerning my future career. Things I constantly stress over: she knows nothing but she has the job because she’s a girl. Now, I will admit I do not hate having a possible edge to get a job simply because I am a female. I also would look forward to showing those people hiring me that I may be a female but I am well versed on what I’m covering and that I was a great hiring choice. I also do not want special treatment. I want my producer or editor to be just as hard on me as the men. When Kian quoted the one story of the new female reporter covering a high school football game that went to triple overtime and was given an extension because she thought she needed a tea, I knew that was wrong. If you’re that female, hey that’s pretty nice that you can get away with that but do you want to get away with it? Do you want to be labeled as someone who gets whatever they want due to their gender? I wouldn’t. The main other example which I am deathly afraid to happen to me is the story referenced when a female sportswriter writes something awful. People read it. They know she doesn’t even understand the sport. They brush it off because it’s a female reporter and its expected and she’s discredited. But its okay, because what do you expect from a woman? No! Wrong! Hopefully everyone, regardless of gender or race goes into a sportswriting job with enough integrity to make sure they are versed enough in the sport to write a recap of at least. Male, female, it shouldn’t matter.