Sports and Gender: A Comparative Historical Analysis of Men’s and Women’s Sports in the United States
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Abstract
Amateur and professional sports are a massive part of American society, generating revenue of an average of $70 billion per year. Despite their large prevalence, this massive industry represents the gender discrepancies in American history. Men’s sports are more popular than women’s sports; a trend demonstrated throughout the last century in the United States. Men’s sports receive more media attention, are more accessible, and generate much more revenue than women’s sports. The purpose of this study is to provide historical context about the vast economic discrepancies between men’s and women’s sports in the United States and identify some reasons for why these differences exist. The study aims to answer the question: Historically, why have men’s sports succeeded monetarily to a greater degree than women’s sports in the United States? Key events such as the women’s suffrage movement and the passage of Title IX guide the advancements of women’s rights and their prevalence in sports. An author-conducted survey also demonstrates a sample of Americans’ attitudes to men’s and women’s sports today. Overall women’s sports are less prevalent in the United States as compared to men’s sports due to various historical disadvantages and modern-day discrepancies.