Sexism should stay on the sidelines

By Riya Khatod, Staff Writer

In high school, college and even as coaches, many women feel as though they are not given the same amount of respect and opportunities as their male counterparts.

Not only do female athletes not receive the recognition they try hard to earn, female sports as a whole are less appreciated and accumulate less of a crowd than male sports. Last year, both boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball qualified for the CIF playoffs. However, according to girls’ varsity basketball player Karen Garcia (’23), the level of enthusiasm for the girl’s games were very different. Specifically, spectator turnout for the girls was much lower than the boys’. The girls were also not cheered for by the varsity cheer squad, nor did the marching band come to any of their games other than the playoffs. 

“The boys always got the varsity cheerleaders and we only got the JV cheerleaders. Also, the only time our game got packed was when we were in the playoffs,” Garcia said.

Female students are not the only people experiencing sexism at Samo. The ratio of female head coaches to male head coaches at Samo is 5:13. Because of this wide margin, female coaches, including head cross country and track coach Tania Fischer, are unable to consistently advocate for themselves and their team on campus and at events. 

“Before track meets/invitationals there are coaches meetings and many times I have to state my thoughts twice and say them louder in order for them to be heard. It is very common to be ignored or not asked - so I have to stand up to that. I use it as an opportunity to inform them about my position and that I am making the decision around my team,” Fischer said.

Photo by Pete Morris -- Members of the girls' varsity cross country team from last year race in the Kenneth Hahn Invitation against Ocean League competition

Colleges have tried to alter this evident issue of sexism by enacting Title IX. Title IX prevents discrimination based on sex in activities that receive financial assistance. Simply put, colleges now have to offer the same number of scholarships to women as they do to men. However, this has not completely changed the process by which colleges scout players. Male athletes continue to receive $133 million more in athletic scholarships than female athletes each year. 

Although many do not realize it, there is clear evidence that sexism exists in sports at Samo and even at the college-level recruitment process.

Featured Art by Leslie Garcia, Art Editor

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