Sexualization. An ongoing issue since the 21st century. Women have been perceived as the inferior gender and constantly underestimated specifically in sports. Since the creation of the sport in 400 A.D., surfing has been a segregated sport between men and women. 1,624 years later, the issue remains the same. Female surfers should be recognized for their skills and achievements, rather than being objectified. Author Darby Moore, writer of the article, “Butts over Barrels: The Sexualization of Female Surfers,” explains that women’s surfing will remain as a “show,” rather than a sport if sexualization keeps preventing women from showcasing their abilities. Women are underestimated in surfing and perceived as “incapable.” Sexualization in surfing …show more content…
In the article, “WOMEN AND SURFING: AN ESSAY, BY A MAN,” written by JP Currie, he mentions that women who say that they want equality, really mean they just want to be more masculine, putting more pressure on women. Achieving equality needs determination from countless women, not just a few. If women are “too masculine” it’s gross and they need to be “more feminine.” But if women are “too feminine” they are too gentle and need to be tougher. There is all of this pressure on women to be perfect, yet when they are, it isn’t enough according to men. “‘I don’t see women achieving equality. I see women striving for masculinity.’” stated Currie in an opinion piece. “I believe the quote, which lit my maleness like a flare, was used to exemplify an atypical attitude of men. Silly women, thinking they can do what men do. Stop trying to be like us.” The quote states that women should stand down, and not try to compare themselves to me. This quote provides clear evidence that men are afraid of women threatening their dominance. Currie also wrote in his article about the women’s Pe’ahi surf contest. This specific contest had a substandard turnout, despite the fact that there were very empowering advertisements. Out of the 12 female surfers competing, four of them caught waves, and two of those women were hospitalized. This competition was a reminder that there are physical barriers to big wave surfing. Currie intends to spread the message that it doesn’t matter how skilled a female professional surfer is, they should stick to the smaller, safer