THICK THIGHS and THIN PATIENCE: Muscles Do NOT Make you MANLY.
Not any more than a cape makes you a superhero(ine).
Not any more than yoga pants make you athletic or flexible.
You know who else were told they look like men?? Elite Olympic athletes like Ali Raisman, Simone Biles, Serena Williams, First Lady Michelle Obama, UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, and the list goes on...
You get it right? Maybe not, that's where my blog comes in. I want to dispel any misconceptions about lifting weights and engaging in 'male dominated' sports turning any girl or woman into a MAN. We now know that not even having male genitalia makes you a MAN. Identifying oneself as a MAN does. More importantly, I want to combat the negative messages girls and women are told from very early on about their curves... illustrate how lifting weights can help our clients. Now before you think this is simply a FITNESS blog about bodybuilding, read through the benefits of weight lifting for women as they are listed, surely you can see how enhancing mood and reducing stress may be beneficial to our female (and male) clients alike? As we are well aware a lot of our clients' presenting symptoms are psychosomatic in nature, movement can help. Read on!
Not any more than yoga pants make you athletic or flexible.
You know who else were told they look like men?? Elite Olympic athletes like Ali Raisman, Simone Biles, Serena Williams, First Lady Michelle Obama, UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, and the list goes on...
You get it right? Maybe not, that's where my blog comes in. I want to dispel any misconceptions about lifting weights and engaging in 'male dominated' sports turning any girl or woman into a MAN. We now know that not even having male genitalia makes you a MAN. Identifying oneself as a MAN does. More importantly, I want to combat the negative messages girls and women are told from very early on about their curves... illustrate how lifting weights can help our clients. Now before you think this is simply a FITNESS blog about bodybuilding, read through the benefits of weight lifting for women as they are listed, surely you can see how enhancing mood and reducing stress may be beneficial to our female (and male) clients alike? As we are well aware a lot of our clients' presenting symptoms are psychosomatic in nature, movement can help. Read on!
- Lose Body Fat. Weight training builds muscle, as lean muscle increases so does metabolism.
- Gain Strength without Bulking.
- Decrease Risk of Osteoporosis.
- Reduce Risk of Injury.
- Burn More Calories.
- Improve Posture and Reduce Back Pain.
- Enhance Mood & Reduce Stress.
(Info courtesy of another blogger http://blog.paleohacks.com/benefits-of-weight-lifting-for-women/)
I would like to focus on that last one, we know that exercise, more specifically weight lifting, stimulates the overproduction of endorphins, which help fight off depression, reduce stress, and boost energy. O'Connor, Herring and Caravalho (2010) found some interesting research based studies who link resistance training to some benefits we can directly tie to our clients' presenting problems. For instance, they found that "resistance training is a meaningful intervention for people suffering from anxiety, marked improvement in memory and memory-related tasks, shown to improve self-esteem in healthy younger and older adults as well in cancer, cardiac rehabilitation and depression patient populations." The article's final thoughts included a catchy phrase that stayed with me and I would like to share with you: For a MENTAL lift, WEIGHT lift!
Our clients would benefit from this surely. But why are so many girls and women opting to be 'cardio bunnies'?
Our clients would benefit from this surely. But why are so many girls and women opting to be 'cardio bunnies'?
Thanks to societal pressure to be skinny, slim or any other variations of the thinness ideal. Research has shown that the two sports with the top incidence of eating disorders are those that place an emphasis on weight and thinness, which two you ask? Ballet and gymnastics. The very sports with the most revealing of outfits and where weight really is a crucial part of their performance.
To be fair, it can be argued that in the world of body building, there is disordered eating and incidence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder as well as the use of steroids and other illegal substances. I won't argue there, because indeed there is, but look at the endless stories of young girls and women who after seeking treatment and normalizing their diets and maladaptive behaviors chose a positive outlet to their dissatisfaction and low self esteem. We are not nutritionists, and while there are few mental health counselors who are also registered dietitians, we can inform our clients about the benefits that come from lifting weights such as increased metabolism which may combat the cognitive distortions that only through excessive dieting and exercise they can reach their thin-ideal.
Below is the illustration of a girl just like you and me who may have struggled with image and self-esteem issues, who chose to be strong and build her ideal by lifting weights and doing yoga. Yet the very people who commend her for beating her eating disorder, shame her for "looking too muscular". What are your thoughts when looking at the 2 pictures below?
Also, let's explore some of the messages athletic and curvy girls hear from early on:
"You look like a boy"
"Girls aren't supposed to have muscles"
"You have bigger shoulders/biceps/legs than...insert male name here"
I want to for once and for all dispel the MYTH that lifting weights makes you bulk up and develop manly muscles
likes pecs and huge traps and biceps.
According to Forbes magazine (2010), "Weightlifting can create non-bulky muscles that have stronger thicker fibers,
which with power training have shown to enhance performance in endurance sports (the myth has always been that weightlifting
builds bulk which slows down athletes in endurance sports).
Scientists from the popular website Bodybuilding.com explain that in order to achieve a bodybuilder's physique the following has to happen:
a. You have to have a high amount of creatine in your system
b. You have to have high levels of testosterone to be able to lift heavy.
"It is not so much the total amount of testosterone that an individual has that determines their potential/ability for muscle growth,
but their levels of FREE testosterone (i.e. the amount of testosterone that is NOT bound in the body)."
c. In addition to increasing levels of free testosterone, which is not enough to account for a significant level of hypertrophy, they would
need the help of anabolic steroids or human growth (GH) hormones.
d.You have to eat more than any woman would desire to eat, instead of the normal 2000 calorie diet,
they would recommend 3000-4000 calories just to maintain muscle mass.
d. Women simply put have more adipose tissue and higher levels of cortisol, meaning more fat and stress, both makes it hard to get
the lean hypertrophy typical of males.
Here is the story of Alicia "The Empress" Napoleon overcame those negative message and made a career of it.
One last thing I would like to touch upon is the idea shaming women athletes for working out while pregnant.
Pregnancy is treated like a disease, and while some women are instructed to bed rest for the majority of their
9 month term, pregnancy is not and should not be treated as a disease or a disability. Women whose bodies are
used to the toll of Crossfit or running can and should continue their exercise routines as it is a natural and
preexisting condition that they are used to. There is so much shaming of female athletes for working out
arduously while expecting. This is just as bad "mommy shaming" for raising their kids as they see fit.
I appreciate you for reading this far!
Much love,
Unapologetically Curvy.
Questions for you, the readers:
1. What kinds of messages did you receive as young girls that shamed you for doing masculine things?
2. How can we portray strength, agility, power and muscles as gender neutral?
3. As future mental health counselors, how would you help a client who due to appearance or function (i.e genetics or sports played) appears
masculine and is shamed for it?
likes pecs and huge traps and biceps.
According to Forbes magazine (2010), "Weightlifting can create non-bulky muscles that have stronger thicker fibers,
which with power training have shown to enhance performance in endurance sports (the myth has always been that weightlifting
builds bulk which slows down athletes in endurance sports).
Scientists from the popular website Bodybuilding.com explain that in order to achieve a bodybuilder's physique the following has to happen:
a. You have to have a high amount of creatine in your system
b. You have to have high levels of testosterone to be able to lift heavy.
"It is not so much the total amount of testosterone that an individual has that determines their potential/ability for muscle growth,
but their levels of FREE testosterone (i.e. the amount of testosterone that is NOT bound in the body)."
c. In addition to increasing levels of free testosterone, which is not enough to account for a significant level of hypertrophy, they would
need the help of anabolic steroids or human growth (GH) hormones.
d.You have to eat more than any woman would desire to eat, instead of the normal 2000 calorie diet,
they would recommend 3000-4000 calories just to maintain muscle mass.
d. Women simply put have more adipose tissue and higher levels of cortisol, meaning more fat and stress, both makes it hard to get
the lean hypertrophy typical of males.
Here is the story of Alicia "The Empress" Napoleon overcame those negative message and made a career of it.
One last thing I would like to touch upon is the idea shaming women athletes for working out while pregnant.
Pregnancy is treated like a disease, and while some women are instructed to bed rest for the majority of their
9 month term, pregnancy is not and should not be treated as a disease or a disability. Women whose bodies are
used to the toll of Crossfit or running can and should continue their exercise routines as it is a natural and
preexisting condition that they are used to. There is so much shaming of female athletes for working out
arduously while expecting. This is just as bad "mommy shaming" for raising their kids as they see fit.
I appreciate you for reading this far!
Much love,
Unapologetically Curvy.
Questions for you, the readers:
1. What kinds of messages did you receive as young girls that shamed you for doing masculine things?
2. How can we portray strength, agility, power and muscles as gender neutral?
3. As future mental health counselors, how would you help a client who due to appearance or function (i.e genetics or sports played) appears
masculine and is shamed for it?
I appreciate you for reading this far!
Much love,
Unapologetically Curvy.
Questions for you, the readers:
1. What kinds of messages did you receive as young girls that shamed you for doing masculine things?
2. How can we portray strength, agility, power and muscles as gender neutral?
3. As future mental health counselors, how would you help a client who due to appearance or function (i.e genetics or sports played) appears
masculine and is shamed for it?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe messages I received during childhood in respect to appearance had mostly to do with the idea that girls should be thin and beautiful, well-kept (hair always flawless and makeup perfect). I can't remember ever encountering or being told about women who were overtly muscular; this makes me think now that it was so far out of the realm of possibility in my grandmother's mind (she was my key role female role model) that it would've boggled her mind had she encountered it herself. That said, I don't know how/what methods would be most useful in counteracting traditional theories about what is the appropriate male and female body shape. The issue, as you point out, goes much deeper than that; it speaks to what roles society believes a woman should occupy. Body appearance, the muscular look and bodybuilding included, are an offshoot of how women are perceived as needing to look. I do think this frame has shifted a bit to where muscular women are applauded, but only to a certain extent. When a woman becomes 'bigger' than a man in people's imaginations or in reality, then the term 'bigger' is somehow translated into 'better'; she is, in turn, seen as better than a male and, given the ongoing belief in male superiority, many people appear to be offended by this. Its a problem of language, to my thinking, and the visual (also a means of language); yet, the stigma against too-muscular women is just one example of how language works to prize male superiority and maintain women as inferior.
ReplyDeleteAs an athletic trainer who has worked with multiple female athletes, I have encountered athletes who have large, defined muscles as well as athletes who prefer to stay particularly thin regardless of their training regimens. I find that athletes are probably a little different than clients we might encounter who have just started weightlifting or working out as a hobby. I have athletes who love their large muscles and consistently compare themselves to men and say how they are just as strong as some males. I also have athletes who hate to look "ripped" and are scared to lift heavy weights because they think they will bulk up. It is easy for me to put weightlifting benefits in terms of injury prevention and increased athletic performance to athletes because that is what they need in order to be successful. I have not personally encountered many athletes who are shamed for appearing masculine, but it is necessary for me to relay the benefits of weightlifting to them so they continue to work hard in the weight room. I believe as long as the major benefits are communicated to clients, especially stress reduction, the stigma of females weightlifting will be ended.
ReplyDeleteAs a young girl, I was seen as a "tomboy". I wasn't very concerned about what I wore, and I liked to play sports. I remember one of my other friends and I used to play football at recess with the boys, and this was seen as a negative thing by many. We received messages that girls were supposed to dress pretty and partake in more dainty activities. Sports were not really seen as something for girls unless they were more feminine sports, like dance or gymnastics. I believe it is extremely important to encourage strength, agility, and power in young women. One way this is already occurring is through looking up to female athletes who have gone against the norm. Another approach may be to market workout equipment or gear towards women as well as men. As a counselor, I would first see where the client stands - is she comfortable with her body/appearance? Is she trying to change? I would want her to engage in an activity where she lists all of the aspects of her body that she likes (for example, what her body can do vs. how it appears). Finally, I would definitely want to provide education about the benefits of playing sports or exercising, both physically and mentally.
ReplyDeleteI love this post so much. Unfortunately, healthy eating practices and exercising was not modeled to me by my family. So when I got to college, all of my unhealthy habits really caught up to me and on top of mental health issues, I was at the lowest I had been in my life. My boyfriend at the time suggested that I start going work out with him, but I was really scared about getting "bulky". He encouraged me that that was not going to happen. Three years later, here I sit and I have never felt better in my life. After changing my eating and exercising habits, I felt so much better not just physically but mentally. I'm talking about the fact that I used to have full blown panic attacks and they completely went away after I switched to a healthy lifestyle. I plan to definitely incorporate the importance of a healthy diet and exercise schedule into my practice one day. I think it is such an important component that people do not realize how much it can truly help them live a more fulfilling life. I love doing weight training and enjoy doing cardio without overdoing it or worrying about burning calories. It's crucial to make sure that clients emphasize healthiness and not a restricted diet. There are many different ways people can add healthy practices into their day to day lives.
ReplyDeleteI think that women need to understand that just because they lift weights and may have a high protein diet that they will not automatically turn into a body builder size. People who are training to look that way take specific methods in order to transform into that. Exercise and weight lifting is a very effective way to reduce stress and cleanse your mind. We can help clients with body shaming by helping them focus on their positive aspects and reminding them that they should be proud of the uniqueness of their bodies. We are all individuals and a certain lifestyle is going to look different on everyone. We should stress that it is best not to compare ourselves to others and media.
Thankfully, women seem to be making a way into the world of weight lifting and fitness in general. I already think it is slowly becoming more normalized that women participate in this and over time, it will continue to become more apparent that just because a girl lifts weights does not mean she will end up looking like a guy.
I did receive certain messages about particular sports being viewed as manly or that a girl shouldn't play. However, those were just thing said at school. My parents never told me not to do something because it wasn't "girly". I believe that men are physiologically suppose to be stronger and bigger than women; that's just the way our bodies are set up. However, that's not always the case and it's fine. I wouldn't go to extent of saying women are weak or unable. Also, not to say that women shouldn't lift weights or gain muscle. As long as you're healthy, be happy. I believe it should be left up to the individual's preference and what they define as beautiful as long as the image isn't harming them or unrealistic. I believe by having role models and examples that go against the grain of these stereotypes can send messages that strength, power, and agility can be gender neutral. I would reassure that client that there is no reason to be ashamed. In order to be shamed, you have to first be shameful about it. Otherwise, opinions shouldn't matter if you're comfortable in your own skin. You can't be ashamed of something you're proud of. Most likely, it's the people who can't to half of what they are capable of and wishing they could, who has the most negative things to say. I would like to continue to crash the view that muscles are manly, the idea shouldn't exist. With education and implementation, we can diminish the stereotype and continue to increase the females participants in sports and exercise.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I always was considered a tom boy with softball muscles. I was proud of my physique in my glory days but as I grew older I took more and more notice to my large arms in pictures. I began always putting my arm on my hip or moving in such a way that made it look less muscular. I probably learned this message from my mother and her friends who always commented on their pictures. I never felt ashamed of my athletic ability but at times I felt vulnerable of my athletic body. I think this was mostly do to the societal idea of thin and sexy.
ReplyDeleteMedia always display female lifters or athletes as if they could also walk a runway any second. The media always sexualizes female athletic videos. I think reducing the makeup and perfect hair styles will allow the images to be more gender neutral. Possibly showing ads where the female and male are doing the same amount of work can help to change this image. I would try to help a client by allowing them to view their body for its positives. The muscles the client developed allow them to excel at their sport or allow them to hold their child for hours. Muscle are beautiful and help the human body accomplish so much. Helping the client to realize her body helps her achieve is needed.
I really enjoyed your blog, Sayra. I know that I told you this already, but the Allure video of Alicia Napoleon was awesome. Her insights are spot on and so inspirational!
ReplyDeleteYou presented the information thoroughly regarding the world of body building, specifically for females. And, this question you posed really made me think about this issue in a brand new way: "But why are so many girls and women opting to be 'cardio bunnies'?" I had never really thought about this previously, so I appreciate you bringing this issue to light.
Lastly, I am glad you threw in the part about pregnancy not being a disease or disability as well as how important it is not to shame women for working out while pregnant. You are correct in that most women can and should continue the physical activity they maintained prior to pregnancy. This is an important consideration and extremely validating to those who may feel judged or shamed for doing so.
I absolutely loved your blog! There was so much information and it was presented beautifully. I am also particularly interested in this topic. Although, I do not remember specifically what messages I received when I was younger, I imagine there were still messages I picked up on unknowingly. The women in my family have always valued thinness, which certainly has rubbed off on me, so I too for a long time was a cardio junkie. Recently, however my interest in lifting weights has been growing. I read an article a while back about a man who was 90 years old and did it all. He was so lively and the article described the many things he did to achieve that, one of which was weight lifting. He explained how important it was to lift weights and how that has been able to give him the energy he needs to be a total badass. Long story short, I was inspired. Additionally, I do a good bit of yoga and am certified to teach as well. Yoga can be kind of addictive in a good way, much like I imagine weight lifting can be. I think women can get amazing results lifting weights in both strength and physical beauty. I also liked what you said about not treating pregnancy like an illness. I agree that pregnant women can still keep up with their work out routines while also being mindful of their bodies and the safety of their baby. Thanks for the wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved your blog! There was so much information and it was presented beautifully. I am also particularly interested in this topic. Although, I do not remember specifically what messages I received when I was younger, I imagine there were still messages I picked up on unknowingly. The women in my family have always valued thinness, which certainly has rubbed off on me, so I too for a long time was a cardio junkie. Recently, however my interest in lifting weights has been growing. I read an article a while back about a man who was 90 years old and did it all. He was so lively and the article described the many things he did to achieve that, one of which was weight lifting. He explained how important it was to lift weights and how that has been able to give him the energy he needs to be a total badass. Long story short, I was inspired. Additionally, I do a good bit of yoga and am certified to teach as well. Yoga can be kind of addictive in a good way, much like I imagine weight lifting can be. I think women can get amazing results lifting weights in both strength and physical beauty. I also liked what you said about not treating pregnancy like an illness. I agree that pregnant women can still keep up with their work out routines while also being mindful of their bodies and the safety of their baby. Thanks for the wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteLoved your post! Growing up I was the epitome of a “girly girl”. I typically did “girl-like” things. I was a competitive dancer from age 4 well on into college so I was constantly surrounded by girls who were consumed with body image. Being that I was also much thicker, (not so much in fat but muscle mass) my thighs and arms were always bigger than my teammates. On the days that we were to be measured for costumes and uniforms I would honestly cringe because my measurements were always larger than my peers. My shaming experiences did not stem directly from doing masculine things but more so from having larger limbs from most boys in my age bracket. I think it is very important to make strength, power, and agility gender neutral and we could do a better job in doing so by showcasing and advertising women who do have power and strength. It is a pet peeve of mine to see women in sports or active wear commercials who have bodies that reflect the nonexistence of lifting or routine exercise. I never understood why women who are professional athletes are not chosen be the face behind these brands like professional male athletes are. In closing, if I was working with a client who seem to be ashamed of her muscular body I would begin by expanding her knowledge of what is beautiful and show her other women who are shaped or have a similar body frame as hers.
ReplyDeleteHi Sayra! Interesting blog. As a young girl, I never really felt shamed for doing masculine or feminine things. I was pretty traditionally girly for the most part, but I felt no shame for any of the traditionally masculine things I did either. While I felt free to indulge any activity regardless of gender connotation, I did feel a lot of pressure to look a certain way and shame about my body. I remember being 9 years old and feeling horrible about myself for not looking more womanly, and in high school I never would have lifted weights because I thought that would make me look masculine. I enjoyed learning from your blog how much it actually takes to bulk up from lifting weights. I think we, as a society, are getting better at portraying athletic qualities as gender neutral. There are a lot more female athletes in the media today than when I was growing up. As a future mental health counselor, I would first discuss the close relationships that the client has and use motivational interviewing if the client's close friends and family are shaming her to help her see that these relationships may be unhealthy. I would also use acceptance and commitment therapy to help them focus on what their body does, not how it looks. ACT could help the client to accept their emotional experience regarding hurtful comments. CBT might be good as well to challenge any negative thoughts about themselves if they have internalized any of that shame.
ReplyDeleteSayra, great topic! I kind of answered your first question… As you stated, so many women have the wrong impression about how lifting weights will affect their body. When I was in high school I always did cardio classes at the ymca, and didn’t even think about lifting weights, not because I was worried I would “bulk up” but because it literally did not occur to me that I would benefit from it. As an adult, I want to increase my strength and I realize the benefits of weight lifting, but I intentionally do those things at home. Because I never learned the proper way to use the different weight equipment in the gym, I don’t feel comfortable trying to navigate that corner of the gym with all of the men. I can just tell myself to get over it and take on the challenge, but I admit to this because I feel like so many women have similar reasons as to why they don’t lift weights in the gym.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very interesting blog, and coming from a female has greater meaning and validity behind it. As for your comparison of the two pictures, as an athletic trainer and the health aspect of things, I would 100% of the time say the girl’s after photo on the right appears like she is happier which is the most important aspect of the debate. Not only does she look happier, but from my eyes she looks healthier and more comfortable in her skin. Working with athletics myself, I can say that a lot of girls at this level of competition are pleased with their bodies, at least with the sports I have worked with. They are proud of their muscles and their bodies because it shows off the hard work, dedication, and commitment they have laid down to reach that point. I think one way that I see gender neutral workouts day in and day out is the workouts my swimmers do. Whether it is in the weight room with strength coaches, or with their swim coaches, they are all doing the same exact workouts. The weights lifted or the paces they swim may be different to match their level of fitness. I think the areas that we may see a difference is in the media or with those who do not exercise, as they may be the one who are biased and may stereotype males or females. Just as stated in the blog, it laid out the benefits of weight training for women, and if that isn’t reason enough to view male and female workouts as one and be gender neutral, I don’t know what will.
ReplyDeleteIf I was dealing with an athlete who came to me for being ashamed of their “masculine” build, I would praise them for their hard work and dedication to their sport. I would try and preach that they have benefited from hours put into mastering their craft and that is nothing to be ashamed of. All of their hard work has put them at an elite level above many others who wish they were standing in those same shoes.
As for a client, I would try to just preach that if lifting makes you happy and it gets rid of some of your stress, to continue to lift if it makes you happy. I would also from my athletic education background explain the health benefits of weight lifting and how she will benefit years down the road for the health decision she makes now.
I do not recall negative messages for doing masculine things. It was perfectly acceptable to be a “tomboy” in my social circle. All of my friends, male and female, played sports and did not embrace stereotypical gender roles. Muscles, agility, and strength were sign of health and achievement. I believe we can begin to change perception by changing the way women are portrayed in media, we can continue to educate others about the effects of hypersexualization, and continue educating boys and young men about what it really means to be a man. If I were to work with a student who was ashamed of their athletic build, I would use some of the techniques we have previously discussed.
ReplyDelete- Help the person evaluate their peer groups and encourage her to find groups which will support her athletic build.
- Help her accept her body type by recognizing society’s unrealistic standards of beauty.
- Praise her accomplishments
- Help her focus on positive physical attribute and create a list of positive body affirmations
As an athletic trainer I think this issue is very important to understand because I will possibly be working directly with girls and women whose sport demands both physical fitness, objectively good looks and powerful muscles. Working with these girls and women to understand the importance of all three, rather than focusing on the objective judgement of the sport, will be a critical skill to have. Many times in sports like gymnastics the demands placed on the athletes are those listed above. And most often, those demands are placed by people who are trusted; coaches, parents, former athletes. This is a major problem within athletics that needs to be combatted. Furthermore, I think the girls in these sports have an opportunity to make a difference with the younger generations, and for the non-athletes, by embracing their muscles as you discuss in the post. These athletes can be powerful methods of public perception change.
ReplyDeleteI was an athlete in college and my legs were much bigger than I think I would have liked even when I was competing. It took me a long time to fully appreciate what my "big thighs" did for me. I was able to bounce higher, spin faster, and overall be a better competitor (I was a diver). Now that I have worked with female athletes, I notice the same trend continuing and it is hard to make them understand that those large muscles are why you are a competitor at a high level sport. I do not know how to get that across to athletes because I did not even believe it. I would love for girls to understand what muscles can do for them especially when they look at females like the Williams sisters and Aly Raisman who are the best at what they do. They got there not by caring how big their muscles got but by embracing them and realizing that they are a powerful weapon. I do think that things like the Sport Illustrate body issue is doing a lot for young girls because it is showing that muscles are amazing and just because yours are big does not mean that they are not beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Sayra,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this topic. I do think you made a good point when it comes of exercising, doing weightlifting, etc. I used to be part of the school's soccer club, and I remember that my classmates used to said that soccer was for boys and that girls should only engage in feminine activities. It did not upset me at all, but I could not understand how others determine whether a certain activity like playing sports is either masculine or feminine. Not every comment was negative, however, the majority were. I think that this type of judgments are based on culture and society itself, it also has to do with gender stereotypes, etc.
I think one way to portray strength, power and muscles as gender neutral should start at schools. Explaining to children that sports or activities does not determine your gender or vice versa. By encouraging students to think in a different way will help alleviate this issue. Moreover, I think that if I were a mental health counselor, I would help a client who experience shame due to appearance or function by making her see that whether you have muscles or curves, do not change your gender. That having muscles does not make her any less beautiful.
I was the loner tomboy growing up, always had a boy best friend, bowl cuts or short hair and chose playing soccer with the boys over house at recess. It did not feel great and my passive personality did not help but I am who I am because of it. It was not even being teased, more of an outcast because not only was I a tomboy but I also did not have the assumed assertive personality to go with it. What helped was the softball world I had outside of school. I think that is what being done t counteract this idea with future generations, the increasing portrayal of women as athletes.
ReplyDeleteIn order to help those clients I would want to first make sure I was not assuming that their gender identity was the conflict because more often than not it is not a fluid gender identity itself but rather the messages and backlash from society they have experienced. I think it is a matter of working with them on solidifying how they may identify if even outside the spectrum and helping them command their space and dine safe spaces.
I absolutely love this blog! Thank you for open the doors of conversation. I have been a track and field coach for many years (don't want to age myself). I was a professional track and field athlete as well that went to the Olympic Trials and traveled overseas competing. I also become pregnant my junior year at LSU while on a full track and field scholarship. My coaches strategically trained me EVERYDAY until the day before delivery-literally! This included weight lifting, running, pool workouts, and infamous stadiums stairs in Tiger Stadium on Tuesday mornings at 6am. Yes, you can train until delivery. In fact, it aids in recovery and easier delivery.
ReplyDeleteFemale athletes look to decrease body fat and increase lean body mass. By healthy eating, the fat begins to disappear and one it left looking muscular and toned....in a healthy way.
Besides, as women age-we have a greater chance of osteoporosis. Creating healthy resistive training programs at a young age can help stabilize CORE strength and prolong osteoporosis. Also, weight training increases bone marrow, which stores red blood cells, and strengthens bones! Heather
Thank you for sharing Sayra! I don’t feel I personally received messages growing up that shamed me from doing masculine things. I can see how media could impact young girls minds on what it looks like to be a woman and how those images are very different than the ones you shared in your blog. I think it is important for us as counselors to celebrate women’s bodies no matter the shape and size. We always have some idea in our mind of what we are supposed to look like whether for some that may be full of muscles and tone and for other may be skinny and lean…..at the end of the day we want to empower women to choose a healthy lifestyle and body image for themselves! I really enjoyed watching the video you shared too…I could so relate to the jean story! Ha
ReplyDeleteAs a child, I was heavily discouraged from being “like a boy”. Even though the boys in my family were allowed much more freedom in terms of what they could do, girls were very limited in appropriate activities. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed playing with dolls as much as anyone else, but I did not appreciate being denied access to sports and other athletic activities. This mindset can be extremely damaging to girls, that muscles and sports are masculine.
ReplyDeleteStrength, agility, power, and developed muscles can be seen as gender neutral if they are considered what they truly are, being athletic. Referring to such qualities as athleticism is far less biased and can help decrease the tirade of judgment and shame that is heaped upon female athletes. One aspect of this may not just be the masculinity associated with muscles, it is probably also an attempt to discourage girls from beating boys. As children progress in school and life, it becomes far less socially acceptable for girls to excel in areas that are considered the domains of males. It is not uncommon for girls to “dumb themselves down” or lessen their own accomplishments and talents in order to be less threatening for males, therefore making them more desirable.
In the future, I would definitely make a concentrated effort to help female clients that were shamed for being “masculine” to view this as being athlete. I would make athleticism an accomplishment, something to be prideful in.