"...We don't 'think that women don't understand the game.'
We know it..... In my book, the biggest sinners are
the 10 percent of women who pretend they know the game."
Sure, people like sports for many reasons and at different levels, but why condemn anyone for enjoying something without fully understanding it yet? People grow in their appreciation and interests over time - even the most ardent football fan had to begin somewhere, after all. Furthermore, I'd argue that it's commitment and curiousity - not how much one knows - that ultimately separates the pretenders from the believers.
It's grossly unfair to judge women's interest in football as purely superficial (i.e. "Oh! Look at his abs") or social ("I've to appear cool to impress the guys") in nature. First, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a little "people watching" - we can all appreciate beautiful bods, touching stories ... as well as a compelling game! The article also fails to acknowledge that men too face significant social pressure to be sports fans. Would the tone be less scathing if the majority of guys who watch football are part of that sinful "10 percent"?
"...When a woman says she's a football fan, it's like she just revealed that she's a porn star - you can't move on to another topic."
"If they're not whining about how we're ignoring them,
they're trying unsuccessfully to watch the game with us."
"If they're not whining about how we're ignoring them,
they're trying unsuccessfully to watch the game with us."
It's grossly unfair to judge women's interest in football as purely superficial (i.e. "Oh! Look at his abs") or social ("I've to appear cool to impress the guys") in nature. First, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a little "people watching" - we can all appreciate beautiful bods, touching stories ... as well as a compelling game! The article also fails to acknowledge that men too face significant social pressure to be sports fans. Would the tone be less scathing if the majority of guys who watch football are part of that sinful "10 percent"?
"The problem with women who think they know football is that most of them can't - and never will - be able to engage the men because, crucially, they don't play football."
Perhaps the author is guilty of the very superficiality and social "inferiority" that we ladies evidently have. To paraphrase:
"I don't 'think that he doesn't understand women
[or even football, for that matter].' I know it."
[or even football, for that matter].' I know it."
4 comments:
amen, Mei!!!
there's no sexism in the Kingdom of God. Therefore, this man is obviously a heathen! =)
Haha, thanks Jas. Even the stellar performances from Japan, Oz and South Korea last night couldn't stop me from getting this off my chest. Hope you and the NYC gang are well.
Thanks guys!
Jeff - *shakes my head at Americans* I guess you gotta start somewhere....
REF: Teo Cheng Wee, Spare Us Guys Your Shrieks, June 18 2006, The Straits Times, Life - L4
Spare us Women the “know it all” pretension to feed your ego.
(By Jaya Uttamchandani)
For Women, Men and Pseudo-Sports-Fans!
I didn’t quite get the chance to read The Straits Times on the 18th of June, 2006. I was working a hectic shift and made it home only at 6.00am on the 19th to read the previous day’s paper. And thankfully I did. Letting an article such as the one on page L4 (Page 4 of the Life section) go without a response, would be exactly like letting someone escape murder. The sexist-tone, generalisation and ignorance embedded in the article does make it seem like a mere strategy to get a debate going. So here goes…
I just watched the Japan vs Croatia, Brazil vs Australia, and France vs South Korea games. My opinion? The Japan-Croatia game was relatively boring beyond that one penalty save. Brazil did bag a 2-0 victory in a rather violent game as the Aussie put up a fantastic yet desperate defence. Ronaldo didn’t quite look in-form despite creating the first goal for Adriano. The Aussies went in with a 3-4-3 formation and seemed relatively strong as Viduka and Cahill did have a few shots on goal. Substitute Harry Kewell too did well, but not quite managing to convert the chances to goals. That was frustrating. Now France’s scoreboard should have read 2-0 at half-time and that would have turned the entire match around. I could go on… I love sports. By sports, I don’t just mean football. I’ve been following cricket sine childhood, football and formula one from around the age of 16, golf for about three years and tennis for about a year. I spent the entire night working on those football matches mentioned. I am a Sports Journalist.
That was just to introduce myself. I am not disagreeing with the fact that there are some women who don’t get football! There are many perhaps. So what? Why can’t they paint their face and scream “Beckham!” Men don’t own the sport and you comparing football to mascara made me laugh. Women have football teams, women play football… Did you not know that?
Also, women who shout “Beckham is cute,” could be genuinely interested in the game. There are men who watch Maria Sharapova and actually enjoy tennis. Do you not think so? I genuinely think that it is humanly possible to appreciate looks and talent at the same time. And what is “hot” and what is “talented” vary from person to person.
On another note, since you took to such generalisations in your article, let us match your tone. Do not pretend “sport” is your thing unless you can tell me what is a gully, a follow-on, a slip, a no-ball, the difference between a spin bowler and a pace bowler in cricket! Do not pretend “sport” is your thing unless you are simultaneously and religiously following the US Open (just got over), West Indies-India Test Series, England-Sri Lanka Cricket, FIFA World Cup, Formula One, and the Tennis.
There are also some reasons you stated reasons why Women watch football. And I agreed with ALL of them.
- Perhaps some women do watch the sport to impress men (It’s a shame the effort isn’t appreciated)
- Perhaps some women do watch the sport to look cool (We all ‘try’ and look cool – you made an attempt in vain by writing that article)
You didn’t mention that women too do watch it for fun and do watch it as a passion as well. I certainly hope the “part 2” of your opinionated article isn’t going to be about “beer being a man’s drink and then a comparison between beer and lipstick.”
You also did give a description of a missed goal opportunity towards the end of the article and then stated – “Don’t get it? I didn’t think so.” I am sorry, but please re-read that paragraph… ninety percent of it will be understood by any soul who speaks decent English. Are you saying women don’t get football or they don’t get English?
Additionally, I have worked with ESPN STAR Sports and one of the cricket producers (female) gives the men in the office a good run for their money when it comes to knowledge of the game. There are many women working for ESPN STAR Sports providing men like you with your limited sporting knowledge (as it is largely just football you get). Most women in Australia, England and India would know far more cricket than men in Singapore.
Enough said.
This isn’t to state that women know everything there is to know in sports - I don’t. This isn’t stating that women like sports more than men. This is merely to tell you – we can and shall do as we please. If shrieking makes me happy – I shall. If I merely know one of the thirty-two teams of the FIFA World Cup and call myself a football fan – so be it. There are many men who call themselves ‘Sports Fanatics’ and only get football.
Cut us women some slack – you don’t own the game.
Like you stated: “It’s not a badge of honour. It’s a bloody game.”
Post a Comment