Some Gender Research Has Already Been Done

While there has not been extensive research done on the topic of gender portrayal in sports media, there are a few good resources for learning about the research that has been done in this field already.

Author Gay Mason discusses the construction of masculinity in sports. He talks about how because all men in the sports world are shown as being body-building fitness enthusiasts, the rest of men in society are pressured to try and obtain this same physical appearance.

Jo Ann M. Buysse and Melissa Sheridan Embser-Herbert have focused their studies on how men and women are displayed differently in collegiate sports.  They primarily examined media guide cover photos of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and came to the conclusion that women are not shown as being athletic and strong like the men are.  On the covers, women are placed in poses that focus on their femininity and passiveness.

Ava Rose and James Friedman also focus on the idea that the sports world encourages the image of the "dominant male." This figure is supposed to be strong, brave, and powerful.  Casting men in this light in the sports world is another mechanism for supporting the stereotypes of hegemonic masculinity.

Alina Bernstein has written about the progress women have made in the sports world that has been traditionally male-dominated. She comes to the conclusion that while there has been significant progress, it is not yet time for a "victory lap" for the women.

These are just a few of the examples of the growing research involving male and female stereotyping in the athletic world.

This Nike commercial is a good representation of how women are becoming a bigger part of the sports world.  While the women are "catching up" to men, the males are clearly expecte to be the superior athletes.