Coming into a male –dominant industry that shunned females as competitors, an impact has been left on the athletic community to prove that women are capable of being more than competitors, but a force to be reckoned with. in 1972 Title IX was enacted to change the trajectory of  women in sports, but as we know, with change, many hardships can be presented.

The pressure associated with being an elite female athlete can affect performance, body image, and overall mental well-being, bodyweight and physical conditioning can be driving factors in training and competition. In a study of Division 1 NCAA athletes, over one-third of female athletes reported attitudes and symptoms placing them at risk for anorexia nervosa. The website for National Eating Disorders is a great resource for more educational topics and statistics on this matter. Eating disorders, along with other mental health conditions left unaddressed or mistreated, can lead to the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Battling mental health may be one of the toughest opponents an athlete can face, But with acknowledgment, support, and education is where the competition begins.

Athletes most likely don’t get help for depression or mental health issues because they can’t even admit that it’s an issue. that is so fundamentally at odds with being a competitor. This is war. It’s a game of strategy. It’s a game of maneuvering and posturing. You need to show the world that you are strong. ― Sasha Cohen 

BIAS ASSUMPTIONS WOMEN FACE

Pay gap The fight for equal pay is a near-universal struggle in women’s sports, from WNBA players renegotiating their salaries, to the US Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) taking their employers to court overpay discrimination. There is nowhere else where the pay gap between men and women is more visible (and contentious) than in sports. In the lawsuit filed by USWNT, the plaintiffs claim that if the women and men’s respective soccer teams were to play (and win) the same amount of games, female players would only be paid a maximum of $4,950 per game, whereas male players would be paid an average of $13,166 per game.

Women also feel these inequalities in basketball. Though the WNBA announced a new collective bargaining agreement that ensures cash compensation for “other top players” will range from around $200,000-$300,000, this compensation pales in comparison to their male counterparts. ESPN’s list of NBA player salaries for the 2020-2021 season shows that the top 500 players either meet or exceed $1.4 million dollars in earnings. Some may argue that the pay gap has little to do with women’s health but being undervalued by one’s employer or institution definitely has an impact on mental health; the Victorian government of Australia found that the pay gap puts women at a higher risk of physical and mental illness.

While important, equal pay is not the only struggle women in sports must face. From junior sports to Olympic level, female athletes compete in the public eye, and must also reckon with biased assumptions both on and off the field.

Assumptions about physical ability. 

Though there are numerous sexist beliefs about women in sports, one of the most common is the myth that female athletes are physically inferior to male athletes. Sadly, these sexist myths are still pervasive today. A 2020 sociological study of Latina women’s sporting experiences found that family members’ sexist attitudes towards them often hampered women from participating in sports. Biased messages most often came from family members, who were concerned that their daughters would be easily injured or felt that sports would negatively impact their femininity.

Messages about women being unfit to participate in sports have long-term consequences; a 2021 survey of 12-and 13-year old boys and girls found stark differences in their ambitions regarding sports.

Boys were more likely to speak about becoming professional athletes in the future, whereas only a few of the girls talked about participating in sports at the professional level. The girls had effectively dismissed the possibility of a career as an athlete before they could even begin. Sexism not only effects women’s ambitions in sports, but also their mental health. A 2019 study of the effects of sex discrimination on women found that those who perceived sexist discrimination reported poor mental wellbeing. Beyond fighting sexist assumptions, women athletes must also contend with less support and resources than their male counterparts are provided with.

The disparity in resources between genders

 Women face a lack of both emotional and material support in sports. While more women are becoming professional athletes than ever before, many are at a loss when it comes to accessing or finding support from sports leaders. Gender segregation still exists in sports governance, with women kept from roles that could put them in a position to better allocate funds and other material resources towards women’s sports teams and associations. The lack of support also translates to reduced visibility and fan support; a quantitative analysis of 5,260 tweets posted about sports in the Spanish media showed that only 1.6% of the media outlets covered female athletes. Qualitative analysis revealed that women’s failures in sports (including losses and sanctions) were overrepresented in comparison to women athletes’ achievements, which may work against advertisement and allocation of resources for women athletes.

What is consent?

 According to RAINN, “Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity.” Before you and your partner begin any kind of sexual activity, be sure to discuss boundaries and what to expect. What all parties must keep in mind is that consent is not static, nor is it a permanent permission slip for someone to do what they want to their partner. Consenting to a single act in one instance does not mean that you give consent to other acts, or to the same act every time.

Remember:

 A person has the right to withdraw consent at any time, and their partner has the obligation to stop immediately. The person who withdraws consent should not ever be shamed for changing their mind during sex, making out, etc.

Search for the presence of a “yes”, not the lack of a “no”. While consent can be expressed through nonverbal cues like smiling and nodding, it is important to remember that verbal consent is the only sure way to know that your partner is okay and/or wants to continue.

Check in regularly with your partner to make sure you both want to continue sexual activity.

Physical responses to sexual stimulation (erections, lubrication, arousal, etc.) are involuntary and can occur even when someone is not consenting to sex. Perpetrators may minimize a victim’s refusal by claiming that signs of arousal (for example, an orgasm) means that the victim “liked it.” But a body alone cannot consent to sex: only you get to decide what you want and don’t want to do.

What are the statistics behind sexual assault for women?

 In March of 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, non-partner, or both. In addition, 6% of women reported having been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner. Women are already at a high risk of assault as is, and the athletic population is no different. A 2014 cross-sectional study of Swedish youth and adult elite athletes found that 14% reported lifetime exposure to sexual abuse, while more women than men reported lifetime sexual abuse. (A study in The Lancet reports that the rate of sexual assault in western Europe is 14.08%, so the rate of assault is roughly equal between athletic and non-athletic populations.) With how startlingly common sexual assault of women is across the world, some are turning to governments and institutions to help alleviate the problem. In the case of female athletes, many wonder what sporting organizations can do to keep their players safe.

Institutional responsibility

 According to the same 2014 study of athletes by Timpka et al., 3% of athletes surveyed reported having been sexually abused in the athletics setting. The perpetrators of sexual abuse in athletics were both men and women, ranging from coaches to colleagues. Sports and sports medical staff are sadly no exception to this, as we see in the case of ex-Olympic doctor Larry Nassar, whose abuse of underaged and young adult Olympic gymnasts was so prolific that over 150 women have made impact statements about how Nassar’s abuse affected their lives and careers.

Yet Nassar could never have gained so much trust had USA Gymnastics (USAG)—his employer—investigated the first complaints filed against him in earnest. When institutions are made aware that they are affiliated with and/or employing an abuser, they have a duty to keep their employees safe by removing the abuser’s power over and proximity to the victims. Although it is important for institutions to respond to perpetrators swiftly and justly, the needs and feelings of the victims must be prioritized.

Aftermath of sexual assault

There is no one roadmap to recovery in the aftermath of sexual assault. Healing takes time and is not always linear. The most important thing a survivor of assault can do is self-care. Just as athletes must take care of their bodies, so too must survivors. Consider getting restful sleep and eating healthy meals. Exercise and other physical activities that you enjoy are also encouraged (although if you are injured, please talk with your doctor before exerting yourself). It is also important to take care of your emotional needs: journaling, meditation, time with loved ones, or familiar hobbies can be great outlets for alleviating stress.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, know that you do not have to do the emotional heavy lifting on your own. Consider getting into contact with a licensed professional like a therapist to help you develop skills and strategies to work through the challenges you may be facing. 

EMPOWER HER

 Positive effects of being a woman in sports

Disheveling from boundaries to benefits there are a variety of positive effects of being a woman in sports.

 Higher levels of self-esteem and confidence. Opportunity for mentorship and team collaboration. Work ethic development Leading Legacy Optimistic economic contributions.

These positive outcomes transform individuals and communities. As we continuously make striving efforts to better support women in sports, investing in girls and young women ambitions begins the initiatives.

Positive evolution of women in sports

The Evolution of women in sports has transcended tremendously over the last century. Women have exuded versatility and strength throughout the industry. They have proven to be powerful with progressive times. this article from world Athletics highlights a few major milestones throughout Women’s Sports’ history. As revolutionary as the Athletic community has become, now is the time to engage the momentum.

What can we do to help?

The Help Show always wants to equip our readers with tools to better support a loved one. We want to be able to address the challenges that come along with transforming an industry. For that reason, we have provided a variety of resources and tools to reference for women’s progressing on their mental health journey. Proactively reimaging policies, regulations, and programs lands us at the forefront of an ever-changing world and industry.

Join our upcoming virtual live podcast

Episode 103: “Does She Make the Cut?” Women in Mental Health in Sports

Friday, May 28th at 6:30 pm Central How can you help support the mental health of loved ones affected by the pandemic within the athletic community? Let the experts in our podcast guide you. Join the live podcast and add your name too many other responsible people who want to make a difference.

NiEtta Reynolds, MSW Founder of The Help Show

NiEtta will host our podcast to help us understand the significance of mental health in women athletes and their ability to perform due to stress. She will also talk about sexism and inequality in the sports world and the bias assumptions women face playing elite sports. This podcast aims to spread awareness regarding mental health and sports and how players can get the help they need when facing challenges in the aftereffects of Covid. NiEtta is passionate about educating the community on mental health issues, so she uses her platform to engage people from all walks of life in spreading mental health awareness.

Dr. Kenneth Rogers MD Psychiatrist / Co-Host

Dr. Rogers, our podcast’s co-host, has over 20 years of experience as a board-certified psychiatrist addressing PTSD and other trauma. His clinical research demonstrates the positive outcomes of intervention through community-based mental health programs. He will help lead our discussion regarding the mental health issues resulting from the stress of change and fear in adults and children.

Dr. Eric Force PhD, CMPC, Sport Psychologist

 Dr. Erica Force is a licensed psychologist specializing in sport psychology, working with adolescent, collegiate, professional and elite athletes. In her private practice she is dedicated to providing counseling services to individual athletes and teams in the community. Dr. Force is nationally qualified as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and is a registered Sport Psychologist with the United States Olympic Committee. She currently serves as the Head of Athletics Counseling Services in Athletics at Georgetown University. She has served as a team sport psychologist for teams such as the Dallas Wings of the WNBA

In Case You Missed It

Our last podcast: Minorities and Mental Health in Sport

In our last podcast, we discussed understanding minority athletes and their mental health. We also discussed systemic racism and harassment, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement in sports in the midst of a pandemic, what it looks like, and how it has changed the mentality of minority athletes. Get help at www.TheHelpShow.org/podcast-resources