Women and men competing in same sports
Discussion
Obviously it wouldn't be feasible for sports that require physical ability - football etc. The women would get slaughtered.
But various sports that are skill based with no physical ability required - snooker, darts, that curling from the Olympics.
Seems if women competed with men in some sports it would be a step toward equality. Unless there's some good reason not to do so?
But various sports that are skill based with no physical ability required - snooker, darts, that curling from the Olympics.
Seems if women competed with men in some sports it would be a step toward equality. Unless there's some good reason not to do so?
Surely there is only segregation where men have physical advantages. Thats why we have women's versions of those sports.
As an example there is no bar for women to compete in "mens" football or F1 so if a woman was competing at that level she would be welcomed.
I've always assumed top tier sports were open to anyone gender, but I might be wrong.
As an example there is no bar for women to compete in "mens" football or F1 so if a woman was competing at that level she would be welcomed.
I've always assumed top tier sports were open to anyone gender, but I might be wrong.
Things like Snooker and Darts have no rule that prevents women from competing directly with men and is something that offers neither gender an advantage over the other. From what I've read and heard, the reason there are few women who compete in these types of sports is that very few of them are actually interested in doing so.
World Hang-gliding and Paragliding champ Judy Leden - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Leden
ETA - both sports are not that demanding physically as you're lying or sitting down, but a lot of psychology, meteo knowledge and experience make the difference
ETA - both sports are not that demanding physically as you're lying or sitting down, but a lot of psychology, meteo knowledge and experience make the difference
Edited by some bloke on Tuesday 3rd March 11:23
to encourage maximum uptake in the sport?
Chess is one example. Most girls are discouraged to lock themselves in a room and play chess and it's self perpetuating. The womens category gives a somewhat reasonable chance to make some status and money.
Judit Polgár was a top five chess player in the world at one point, and she obviously competed with men as she was so far ahead the women's number 2 it would be pointless, and there was little money in it. But she played chess religiously from a very young age, which was very unusual for a girl in that era.
Predictably, Judith's career was over the minute she had kids because it's pretty much impossible to make up the lost time.
Chess is one example. Most girls are discouraged to lock themselves in a room and play chess and it's self perpetuating. The womens category gives a somewhat reasonable chance to make some status and money.
Judit Polgár was a top five chess player in the world at one point, and she obviously competed with men as she was so far ahead the women's number 2 it would be pointless, and there was little money in it. But she played chess religiously from a very young age, which was very unusual for a girl in that era.
Predictably, Judith's career was over the minute she had kids because it's pretty much impossible to make up the lost time.
Edited by lizardbrain on Tuesday 3rd March 10:49
brillomaster said:
Actually itd be interesting to find a purely skill based sport that is still segregated by gender. There probably arent many.
My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
She probably would. But I think some element of tennis is winning your service games, obviously if you don't win them you can't win a match. That's somewhat down to power of the serve which would give an advantage to men based on physical ability. My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
I thought about this in respect of curling in the Olympics. Clearly that's 100% skill based so no reason for men and women not to compete together.
If I was a women I'd far rather be the best curler in the world (including men) rather than the best women's curler. Same goes for darts and snooker. Probably other sports I haven't thought of.
brillomaster said:
Actually itd be interesting to find a purely skill based sport that is still segregated by gender. There probably arent many.
My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
There was a big controversy when John McEnroe suggested she would be about 700th. My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
Hes probably right but there are two way to view that. One is that women wouldn't be competitive, or that of the 3.5 billion men in the world only 700 could beat her.
Statistically shes better than just about every man, but the reality is that the mens physical advantages means there needs to be a woman's version for her to win anything at top tier events.
Billy Eyelash said:
Motorsport requires surprisingly high levels of strength and fitness.
This is likely why we have rarely seen women get close to competing.
Agreed, but that doesn't mean its not open to women drivers. It's not a men's sport, its only that men dominate so women only categories exist.This is likely why we have rarely seen women get close to competing.
jonsp said:
brillomaster said:
Actually itd be interesting to find a purely skill based sport that is still segregated by gender. There probably arent many.
My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
She probably would. But I think some element of tennis is winning your service games, obviously if you don't win them you can't win a match. That's somewhat down to power of the serve which would give an advantage to men based on physical ability. My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
I thought about this in respect of curling in the Olympics. Clearly that's 100% skill based so no reason for men and women not to compete together.
If I was a women I'd far rather be the best curler in the world (including men) rather than the best women's curler. Same goes for darts and snooker. Probably other sports I haven't thought of.
Like you if I was the best I'd want it to be recognised unconditionally.
98elise said:
jonsp said:
brillomaster said:
Actually itd be interesting to find a purely skill based sport that is still segregated by gender. There probably arent many.
My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
She probably would. But I think some element of tennis is winning your service games, obviously if you don't win them you can't win a match. That's somewhat down to power of the serve which would give an advantage to men based on physical ability. My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
I thought about this in respect of curling in the Olympics. Clearly that's 100% skill based so no reason for men and women not to compete together.
If I was a women I'd far rather be the best curler in the world (including men) rather than the best women's curler. Same goes for darts and snooker. Probably other sports I haven't thought of.
Like you if I was the best I'd want it to be recognised unconditionally.
brillomaster said:
Actually itd be interesting to find a purely skill based sport that is still segregated by gender. There probably arent many.
My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
Er she would have been battered by every single male seed. Just look at the mixed doubles when the men serve against the women. My wife has often wondered how Serena Williams would have got on playing against men, sure she would have beaten a few.
TX.
Billy Eyelash said:
Motorsport requires surprisingly high levels of strength and fitness.
This is likely why we have rarely seen women get close to competing.
You just beat me to that comment. I have a four racing motorcycles for club events and it is really hard work and tiring to throw even a smallish 250 around circuits such as Cadwell. There are women who compete in the same race but without sounding sexist it is not fair, a female 50 year old is not not going to have any chance at all against a 20 year old male and therefore I support the idea of women only races where possible.This is likely why we have rarely seen women get close to competing.
jonsp said:
Seems if women competed with men in some sports it would be a step toward equality. Unless there's some good reason not to do so?
In much the same way basketball teams should include short people and boat race crews should have a 16 stone tubby as cox.Equality in such things a nonsense concept. People aren't all equal. That's the great lie of the woke movement - "anybody can be anything".
I play competitive indoor carpet bowls 
and this is a mixed sport with both male and female, young and old.
You very soon realise that when you see three or four doddering old male/female competitors shuffling over to your mat, clutching their walking sticks and walking stick seats in their hands for a game you do not laugh inwardly and assume you have it in the bag.
Well you do the first time but after they have comprehensively kicked your butt you take take a large portion of humble pie and vow never to make the same mistake again.
It is also probably the sport with the biggest age range with players still in their teen years playing against others who are 90 and over.
I know, where's the :big yawn: smilie when you need one.
and this is a mixed sport with both male and female, young and old.You very soon realise that when you see three or four doddering old male/female competitors shuffling over to your mat, clutching their walking sticks and walking stick seats in their hands for a game you do not laugh inwardly and assume you have it in the bag.
Well you do the first time but after they have comprehensively kicked your butt you take take a large portion of humble pie and vow never to make the same mistake again.
It is also probably the sport with the biggest age range with players still in their teen years playing against others who are 90 and over.
I know, where's the :big yawn: smilie when you need one.
Panamax said:
In much the same way basketball teams should include short people and boat race crews should have a 16 stone tubby as cox.
Equality in such things a nonsense concept. People aren't all equal. That's the great lie of the woke movement - "anybody can be anything".
That would be hilarious to see in the next boat race!Equality in such things a nonsense concept. People aren't all equal. That's the great lie of the woke movement - "anybody can be anything".
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