ePub Playing With the Boys: Why Separate is Not Equal in Sports by Eileen McDonagh; Laura Pappano in History

Review

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This book makes you think about things you haven't thought about beforeBy Alan BainI wonder what the authors of this excellent and thought provoking book would think about me and my country. I come from the UK where girls can by law be stopped from "playing with the boys" because women as a group are considered inferior. I used this law to threaten my school so me and my freinds could stop two girls from trying out for my school's soccer team. We even took advice from one of our fathers (a lawyer). The school backed down and we were very proud of ourselves. That was in 1997. I never thought we did anything wrong. Until I read this book.Although this book is mainly about the US I woud still recommend it to non Americans as a lot of the issues they raise cut acros national borders. One issue is the practice of having different rules for male and female versions of the same sport. Until i read this book I never even thought of this so ingrained is the practice but some of the differences are ridiculous. There are plenty of examples in the book but I'll give one that has occured since the book was published. At the best Olympics ever - London 2012 - women's boxing made its (very popular) debut. Fights for women last 4 2 minute rounds. For men it is 3 3 minute rounds. Is it really believeable female boxers can't fight for an extra minute without needing a break; or that they need an extra break? Male and female versions of the same sport must have the same rules They are right.If that is uncontroversial; another of their ideas is not. They propose that women should be able both to "play with the boys" and play in single sex teams. My gut instict was to think "Typical feminists. They want it all their own way" But.. this already happens in sport. Just substitute age for gender. Most sport in the UK has age limit teams or events - under 15; 17 19 etc.The vast majority stick to their own age group. But the talented 15 year old can play in the under 19 team but not vice versa. An example here is 15 year old cricketer Matthew Fisher who last year played for England under 19s.. It got a bit of publicity but no one said he should be stopped from "playing with the big boys" because 15 year olds as a group could not. Nor did they say 19 year olds should play for the under 15s. Youngsters can even play with adults. Australian cricketer Neil Harvey started playing with adults aged 12; India's Sachin Tendulkar at 15. Wayne Rooney - who I'm sure you've all heard of - made his EPL debut aged 16. If anyone in 2002 had suggested he should not play because 16 year olds as a group could not they would have been laughed at. Why should women be diferent?I don't agree with the most controversial of their ideas - the claim they make that women as a group are not inferior at sport compared to men as a group. I reckon 99 % of women could not "play with the boys" - but as in the age anology above that should not stop the 1% that could from trying if they want to do so. Nor should it mean women can't have seperate teams. Besides there are two principles at stake here .People should be judged as individuals not groups. In every other industry bar sport women are judged this way. Why on earth should sport be above the law? If - sorry when because IMO it will happen - sport is dragged into line with other aspects of life I do not expect to see women in the NFL EPL or MLB. But that will be because they will not be good enough - the vast majority of men aren't either -rather than the fact they are female. The book mentions a 5 yaer old girl who dreamed of being a pitcher for the New York Yankees. Aged 10 she turned out for a Little League tryout. She was the best player - but was banned for being a girl. Her dream was shattered. Now it wouldn't have come true anyway -but this also would have applied to most 10 year old boys. The difference is at least they would have ben allowed to try.I would never have writen most of the above had I not read this book. It made me think of things I've never thought of before. The authors deserve credit for their courage in writing this - even thoguh I don't agree with all of their opinions. And I wish we had gave the girls a chance back in 1997. They probably would not have been good enough -but we should have let them try. I'm now ashamed of what we did then. Thanks to this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Review after reading this for my CAPP Political Science Class!!!By SIloThis book does a good job at bringing you into the topic; but then gets a little dry.  If you can stick with it the whole time it is actually an awesome bit of information to learn.  I would recommend this book as a great educational piece; but there is not an overload of  excitement.    I think that there is a reasonable amount of Fact; Annotations and Politics to make it a good story. The duo of authors have a good opinion and an awesome way of conveying it!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating take on sports in American societyBy A. MillardEven if you don't like sports; you should read this book because it is about a lot more than games. It argues powerfully that sports matters in American society and that it is an entrenched bastion of sex segregated policies that perpetuate false assumptions that women are inferior to men. Yes; of course ; there are sex group differences; but those differences don't explain the myriad rules; regulations; and prohibitions that make a person's sex; rather than ability; the first criterion when assigning team membership. While you can probably guess at the obvious in ridiculous sex segregation (billiards; for example) there are also stories and abilities that will surprise you. Read it.