Comments on: Gender Myths and the Limitations of Sports http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/ Welcome to my universe. Have a seat. Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:59:03 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Lauren http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-415462 Lauren Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:14:00 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-415462 Well said, Samantha. In Caster's case, there's no perfect solution, only variable degrees of unfairness. Well said, Samantha. In Caster’s case, there’s no perfect solution, only variable degrees of unfairness.

]]> By: Samantha http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-415455 Samantha Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:55:13 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-415455 First off, Caster Semanya’s case is not so cut and dry. She declares herself as a female but has both female and male parts. She was born with two sexes. What is a woman (or both in this case) supposed to if she wants to run with her dream, pun intended? This poor woman is trying to fit into a world full of neat little categories-you are either straight or gay, male or female, black, white, asian, or hispanic. As much as we like to pretend that our world and society is full of complex mystery and great understanding difference, that is not the case. People are constantly being judged on a day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute basis as soon as they step out of their doors. Semanyas case is no different. She is being judged for not being able to be packed away neatly into one of those categories, male or female, forgotten in the vast pools of everyone else trying to do their own thing in this world. People first nature has been and always will be to shun change, or shun the things that we do not understand. in the essence of our being, we want everything to be the same. And when something comes along that is out of our ordinary, we shun, ridicule and make a spectacle of the obscurity. Sports are just the reflection of what we want the world to be all the time. Clear, concise, declarative. Instead, we go around pretending that we are mysterious creatures, with different opinions and highly superior tastes to others. we are the superior human-race, right? And to some extent, we are. But, in the core of our souls, no one likes a stark discretion of difference introduced to their everyday. Physical recreation acts as a sort of buffer between the real world and the world we wished we belonged to. A time to judge without feeling guilty or get in trouble. But when a case like caster Semanya comes along, it reminds us that we just can’t control somethings. People try with their tests, and biological studies, and medical protocols, but....it doesn’t always work out that easily. Oh no! We can’t tuck something into a box, with nice neat hospital corners. Oh, the travesty! In retrospect, as sad as Semanyas case is, isn’t it something to be expected? The world that we live in is indeed cruel and selfish. To give it the benefit of the doubt, Semanyas case is a tricky one and the proper way to go about things is certainly debatable. Should she be allowed to race as a woman? But technically, she has more power than a woman and this could cause unfairness in the race. Well, let her run with the men. But technically, she is a woman, and the weakness juxtaposed a male racer is just plain not fair. what are we to do when we cannot judge? The question remains unanswered and something that will always haunt mankind. First off, Caster Semanya’s case is not so cut and dry. She declares herself as a female but has both female and male parts. She was born with two sexes. What is a woman (or both in this case) supposed to if she wants to run with her dream, pun intended? This poor woman is trying to fit into a world full of neat little categories-you are either straight or gay, male or female, black, white, asian, or hispanic. As much as we like to pretend that our world and society is full of complex mystery and great understanding difference, that is not the case. People are constantly being judged on a day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute basis as soon as they step out of their doors. Semanyas case is no different. She is being judged for not being able to be packed away neatly into one of those categories, male or female, forgotten in the vast pools of everyone else trying to do their own thing in this world. People first nature has been and always will be to shun change, or shun the things that we do not understand. in the essence of our being, we want everything to be the same. And when something comes along that is out of our ordinary, we shun, ridicule and make a spectacle of the obscurity.
Sports are just the reflection of what we want the world to be all the time. Clear, concise, declarative. Instead, we go around pretending that we are mysterious creatures, with different opinions and highly superior tastes to others. we are the superior human-race, right? And to some extent, we are. But, in the core of our souls, no one likes a stark discretion of difference introduced to their everyday. Physical recreation acts as a sort of buffer between the real world and the world we wished we belonged to. A time to judge without feeling guilty or get in trouble. But when a case like caster Semanya comes along, it reminds us that we just can’t control somethings. People try with their tests, and biological studies, and medical protocols, but….it doesn’t always work out that easily. Oh no! We can’t tuck something into a box, with nice neat hospital corners. Oh, the travesty!
In retrospect, as sad as Semanyas case is, isn’t it something to be expected? The world that we live in is indeed cruel and selfish. To give it the benefit of the doubt, Semanyas case is a tricky one and the proper way to go about things is certainly debatable. Should she be allowed to race as a woman? But technically, she has more power than a woman and this could cause unfairness in the race. Well, let her run with the men. But technically, she is a woman, and the weakness juxtaposed a male racer is just plain not fair. what are we to do when we cannot judge? The question remains unanswered and something that will always haunt mankind.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-412658 Lauren Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:26:50 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-412658 Thanks for the great comments, everyone. I don't know if this is selection bias or what, but most commenters on this blog are incredibly open-minded and loving in their responses. That really warms my heart. Oh, and, Sammi, I think Queen Bitch of PMSland is such a great phrase that someone should write a book with that title. Thanks for the great comments, everyone. I don’t know if this is selection bias or what, but most commenters on this blog are incredibly open-minded and loving in their responses. That really warms my heart.

Oh, and, Sammi, I think Queen Bitch of PMSland is such a great phrase that someone should write a book with that title.

]]> By: FTPete http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-412608 FTPete Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:08:44 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-412608 If I discovered that my significant other spent four days a month as a female, I would be shocked. And then shamed, confused, angry, curious and blurred. This is because the word discovered insinuates that my partner was hiding this from me. And hidden skeletons that come out of the closets are not usually too pleasant. I don't know if it "complicates" things more or less being gay because being male and homosexual already muddles the idea of femininity and masculinity for me. As a gay male, is it "okay" to be feminine? Should you be overtly macho? As long as we were both happy, I could handle four days a month. If I discovered that my significant other spent four days a month as a female, I would be shocked. And then shamed, confused, angry, curious and blurred. This is because the word discovered insinuates that my partner was hiding this from me. And hidden skeletons that come out of the closets are not usually too pleasant.

I don’t know if it “complicates” things more or less being gay because being male and homosexual already muddles the idea of femininity and masculinity for me. As a gay male, is it “okay” to be feminine? Should you be overtly macho?

As long as we were both happy, I could handle four days a month.

]]> By: Devi http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-412594 Devi Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:15:02 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-412594 i don't think it would be any different if my significant other became a female.I'll prob love the person same regardless of gender. i don’t think it would be any different if my significant other became a female.I’ll prob love the person same regardless of gender.

]]> By: Sammi http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-412562 Sammi Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:25:01 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-412562 If my boyfriend spent four days a month as a lady... it would actually be pretty awesome, I think. A little disconcerting to find out, but it wouldn't be the weirdest thing I'd ever heard of. (Thanks, 4Chan.) Sexually (yes, it always comes back to that with me), it would make monogamy easier, I think. I came to identify as bisexual AFTER I got into a committed relationship with my boyfriend, and I feel like experimenting with girls would be cheating. So, this way, I could have the opportunity to fool around with a girl and still remain faithful. It would certainly make talking about "female issues," ie birth control, periods, etc. easier because my SO would be able to commiserate. If nothing else, it would be less awkward for ME. (Buying pads with your boyfriend is just downright embarrassing.) I think I would be able to deal with any sort of personality changes. It's only fair, right? He deals with me when I'm Queen Bitch of PMSland, so I should be able to deal with the "time of the month" when the boyfriend becomes the girlfriend. (I might even be a little jealous of his transformation--I think it would be really neat to be a boy.) I'd help him learn to enjoy being a girl, or, barring that, hole up inside with him for those few days and keep him company. Even if I couldn't deal with the psychological and biological changes, there would still be an upside. At least my girlfriend wouldn't pee all over the toilet seat. If my boyfriend spent four days a month as a lady… it would actually be pretty awesome, I think. A little disconcerting to find out, but it wouldn’t be the weirdest thing I’d ever heard of. (Thanks, 4Chan.)

Sexually (yes, it always comes back to that with me), it would make monogamy easier, I think. I came to identify as bisexual AFTER I got into a committed relationship with my boyfriend, and I feel like experimenting with girls would be cheating. So, this way, I could have the opportunity to fool around with a girl and still remain faithful.

It would certainly make talking about “female issues,” ie birth control, periods, etc. easier because my SO would be able to commiserate. If nothing else, it would be less awkward for ME. (Buying pads with your boyfriend is just downright embarrassing.)

I think I would be able to deal with any sort of personality changes. It’s only fair, right? He deals with me when I’m Queen Bitch of PMSland, so I should be able to deal with the “time of the month” when the boyfriend becomes the girlfriend. (I might even be a little jealous of his transformation–I think it would be really neat to be a boy.)

I’d help him learn to enjoy being a girl, or, barring that, hole up inside with him for those few days and keep him company.

Even if I couldn’t deal with the psychological and biological changes, there would still be an upside.
At least my girlfriend wouldn’t pee all over the toilet seat.

]]> By: Kel http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-412519 Kel Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:17:36 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-412519 I think that if my significant other spent time as the opposite gender I would find it utterly fascinating. Would they be the exact same person in a different body, or have some traits become more male or female? I would be there for them and support them of course. I feel it might become complicated because as someone who identifies as bisexual, what if I came to like them more as their opposite gender? It would be extremely complicated for them to deal with on their own I would imagine, and adding someone else's views on their condition would make that even harder. I would try to help them work through any identity issues and help them enjoy the situation to the best of my ability, and it certainly wouldn't make me less interested in being with them. I think that if my significant other spent time as the opposite gender I would find it utterly fascinating. Would they be the exact same person in a different body, or have some traits become more male or female? I would be there for them and support them of course. I feel it might become complicated because as someone who identifies as bisexual, what if I came to like them more as their opposite gender? It would be extremely complicated for them to deal with on their own I would imagine, and adding someone else’s views on their condition would make that even harder. I would try to help them work through any identity issues and help them enjoy the situation to the best of my ability, and it certainly wouldn’t make me less interested in being with them.

]]> By: Monica http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-412482 Monica Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:53:41 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-412482 If my significant other were female for four days a month, I hope that she would share those days with me. Keeping secrets from one another in a relationship leads to misunderstanding, anger, jealousy and confusion about why someone behaves a certain way. It would break my heart to know that something so significant was happening in his life and he couldn't or wouldn't share it with me. Of course I would still love him, and I'm sure I would love her too. If his personality was significantly different as a female, (a difference in values and morals, not simple changes like what she likes to wear or how she likes to spend her time) that might be hard to accept at first, but I'm sure I would in time. If anything, I think spending four days a month as a woman would promote a better understanding between us. Plus, it would be fun to include her in all the girly things I do that he can't be part of! :-) If my significant other were female for four days a month, I hope that she would share those days with me. Keeping secrets from one another in a relationship leads to misunderstanding, anger, jealousy and confusion about why someone behaves a certain way. It would break my heart to know that something so significant was happening in his life and he couldn’t or wouldn’t share it with me. Of course I would still love him, and I’m sure I would love her too. If his personality was significantly different as a female, (a difference in values and morals, not simple changes like what she likes to wear or how she likes to spend her time) that might be hard to accept at first, but I’m sure I would in time.

If anything, I think spending four days a month as a woman would promote a better understanding between us. Plus, it would be fun to include her in all the girly things I do that he can’t be part of! :-)

]]> By: Lauren http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-409497 Lauren Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:04:25 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-409497 Such thoughtful answers from everyone. It's going to be very hard to choose just 3 winners! Such thoughtful answers from everyone. It’s going to be very hard to choose just 3 winners!

]]> By: Janey http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/08/31/gender-myths-and-the-limitations-of-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-409299 Janey Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:49:57 +0000 http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/wordpress/?p=906#comment-409299 If I found out that my significant other was the other gender for 4 days every month... I know I'd be surprised at first, but I'd talk to him (or her) about it and I know I'd get used to the idea pretty quickly. After all, if he (or she) was somebody with whom I'd really like to build a relationship, then with that comes accepting every part of a person--even the unconventional ones. If it's somebody I love, then it shouldn't matter at all about gender. People are people. :) If I found out that my significant other was the other gender for 4 days every month… I know I’d be surprised at first, but I’d talk to him (or her) about it and I know I’d get used to the idea pretty quickly. After all, if he (or she) was somebody with whom I’d really like to build a relationship, then with that comes accepting every part of a person–even the unconventional ones. If it’s somebody I love, then it shouldn’t matter at all about gender. People are people. :)

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