The Underrepresentation of Men Watching Women’s Sports: An Evolutionary Perspective
The Underrepresentation of Men Watching Women’s Sports: An Evolutionary Perspective
Why Don't More Men Watch Women’s Sports?
Popular belief holds that women’s sports are overlooked or underappreciated by men, a phenomenon that seems puzzling at first glance. From a professional standpoint, sports like the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball (NCAAW) not only showcase talent but also reveal the purity of the game as it was initially envisioned, before the introduction of professional leagues and rule changes.
The NCAAW game is played with a particular finesse and skill, devoid of the power plays often found in professional basketball. Unlike NBA games, which are higher scoring and emphasize verticality and athleticism, NCAAW games unfold beneath the rim, emphasizing control and precision. The 1976 National Championship game between Indiana and Michigan is a prime example, with referees consistently blown the whistle for any form of contact, ensuring both teams play fairly and responsibly.
Case Studies of Men Viewing Women’s Sports
A vivid personal anecdote helps illustrate this point. A few years back, I organized a Monday Night Football party at home, complete with ESPN's pre-game show. En route to the kitchen, I noticed the pre-game segment had ended, and the actual game was being broadcast on another channel. Instead of changing the channel, my male friends were engrossed in a women’s gymnastics competition on another channel. My ex-wife, who found this quite inappropriate, accused them of being perverts and pedophiles. To save everyone's face, I immediately changed the channel to the football game.
It is safe to assume that my friends were not intentionally watching the women’s gymnastics. Given their immediate attention to the football game if they knew it had started, they were likely not that interested in viewing women's sports. Personally, I prefer the relatively passive activity of watching paint dry to women’s sports.
Biological and Evolutionary Considerations
One possible explanation for this cultural disparity lies in evolutionary psychology. Sociologists and psychologists propose that men are naturally drawn to sports that emphasize power, strength, and physical prowess, key traits historically valued in hunter-gatherer societies. Hernan Jacome, a renowned evolutionary psychologist, suggests that the human gaze, when awarded to female athletes, may stem from an innate drive to view physical beauty and buttock shape, traits associated with fertility and desirable genetic traits in our evolutionary past. Men are more inclined to watch and enjoy sports that align with these innate psychological and physiological preferences.
In contrast, women’s sports often focus on grace, elegance, and control, which do not resonate as strongly with a male-dominated audience. While physical beauty has its place, the intricate skill and finesse required in women’s sports are often misunderstood or improperly perceived by men, who prioritize raw power and strength in their consumption of sport.
Comparison with Men’s Sports
Regarding women's basketball and men’s basketball, the disparity is evident, especially in terms of professional development. The NBA and WNBA showcase different levels of play, where male players are trained for their physical dominance and conditioned for high-impact collisions, while female players are archetypically more about finesse and agility. A qualitative analysis by basketball analysts indicates that WNBA players may possess similar skills to those in the NBA but face different challenges due to these physiological differences.
Nevertheless, when comparing team sports like football, the inherent physicality of men’s football naturally appeals more to audiences who prefer a more aggressive and high-impact style of play over the more graceful and skillful approach of women’s football. This difference reflects an evolutionary perspective where men's sports often prioritize strength, power, and physicality, traits that may be perceived as less relevant in women’s sports, which emphasize form, skill, and elegance.
More Regulations and Support Needed
To foster greater inclusivity and encourage more men to watch and appreciate women’s sports, it is crucial for both the sports themselves and societal attitudes to evolve. Women's sports need to be better integrated into the mainstream media, with prioritized coverage and increased public interest. Additionally, educational programs can play a vital role in changing perceptions and fostering respect for women's athletic achievements.
Conclusion
While the underrepresentation of men in the audience for women's sports may seem paradoxical, it can be understood through an evolutionary lens. The inherent link between the male gaze, physical exertion, and cultural norms plays a significant role in shaping these preferences. Addressing this issue involves a multi-faceted approach, including media representation, educational initiatives, and societal values, to bridge the gap and empower women in sports.