Research Paper Assignment: Women in Early Sports

The Activities of a Typical “Play Day.” and How the Play Days Differ from Athletic

Competition

A typical “play day” had various activities. Initially, the day was purposed to encourage participation and not rivalry. As a result, the sports structure was non-competitive (Davies, 2017). The play days often featured basketball, softball, volleyball, field hockey, and tennis: Research Paper Assignment: Women in Early Sports.

At times, the play days would include field and track events. All these activities were organized to discourage mixed teams that combine students from several schools. The major philosophy behind the play days was to encourage physical activity drawn from the competitive events of the sports.

In attaining this, extensive practice was not a major aspect, but rather paying attention to recreational aspects of the sport (New King James Version, 2017, Ephesians 4:3). It was essential for every participant to enjoy the recreation and not pay attention to training strategies.

The primary difference between play days and athletic competition lies in the organizational ideology. Notably, competitive sports paid attention to winning, while play days paid attention to socialization. According to Fonti et al. (2023), play days were formalized in 1923 by the Women’s division of the National Amateur Athletic Federation forged a sport where every girl would feature in sporting activities.

An example of this drawn from contemporary society is that of school sports. The activities are driven by this philosophy since schools embrace intramural sports and wellness programs that have nothing to do with competition. Such is the “Girls on the Run” initiative that promotes fitness as a form of personal growth for ladies (Sampa et al., 2021).

 The Changing Views of Womanhood and Femininity as Seen in the Life of Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias

The life of Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias offers varying views regarding womanhood and femininity. It shows views that have evolved over a period whereby Didrikson defied traditional norms through her competitive spirit in athleticism. She dominated several sports in the field and track.

Further, she competed in golf and basketball where she set records that demonstrated abilities that could outdo male competitors. According to Davies (2017), this success came at a cost whereby femininity suffered skepticism. Many people did not consider her to be a lady.

Didrikson defied all restrictive gender expectations that defined women during her time in many ways. Her muscular physique, confident demeanor, and short hair were not often associated with women. Notably, this was seen as a challenge to womanhood in the way it was considered during those times. According to López-Valenciano et al. (2021), sports journalists often discussed her sexual orientation and femininity in the public.

There is no doubt that over time, she was able to adapt to societal expectations and embrace society’s view of womanhood and femininity (New King James Version, 2017, 1 Timothy 2:11-12). She turned into a professional golfer where her womanhood was not subject to scrutiny. Even in the current world, women like Serena Williams, and Simon Biles have suffered the Didrikson’s fate. Essentially, this is an example of the view of womanhood and femininity.

The “Smith Rules?” and why they are Significant in Helping Us Understand Gender Roles at the Turn of the Twentieth Century

“Smith Rules” refer to a set of regulations that were applied in the late 19^th and early 20th centuries to moderate women’s basketball based on existing gender roles (Davies, 2017). The rules were established to promote basketball for women in a way that could ensure femininity notions within society are maintained.

While applying the rules, teams of six members each played against each other, with each player operating in a specific area to limit excessive movements. During the rule’s application, physical contact and aggressive defensive movements were prohibited (Davies, 2017). The intention behind these restrictions offers a significant insight into gender roles at the turn of the twentieth century.

Essentially, Smith Rules reflect the broader cultural perceptions of gender that exist in society. In this view, women are understood to be soft and not required to engage in physical activities that would demean decorum, grace, and moderation. The goal behind the rules was to preserve the nature of women, which was understood to be delicate (New King James Version, 2017, 1 Corinthians 11:11-12).

Until the rise of equal opportunities in sports during the 1970s, the Smith rules still shaped gender roles in sports. However, this is not the case since sports have changed significantly. For instance, the Women’s National Basketball Association is characterized by intense competition, athleticism, and skill (Arora & Wolbring, 2022). Essentially, this has separated gender identity from sporting activities.

References

Arora, K., & Wolbring, G. (2022). Kinesiology, physical activity, physical education, and sports Through an equity/equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens: A scoping review. Sports, 10(4), 55.

Davies, R. O. (2017). Sports in American life: A history. John Wiley and Sons.

Fonti, F., Ross, J. M., & Aversa, P. (2023). Using sports data to advance management research: A Review and a guide for future studies. Journal of Management, 49(1), 325-362.

López-Valenciano, A., Raya-González, J., Garcia-Gómez, J. A., Aparicio-Sarmiento, A., Sainz de Baranda, P., De Ste Croix, M., & Ayala, F. (2021). Injury profile in women’s football: a Systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports medicine, 51, 423-442.

New King James Version. (2017). King James Bible Online. opens new window https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769).

Sampa, M., Musukuma, M., Fisa, R., Musonda, P., & Young, T. (2021, February). Interventions For keeping adolescent girls in school in low and middle-income countries: a scoping review. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 5, p. 614297). Frontiers Media SA.

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Research Paper Assignment Instructions

Overview

It is important to demonstrate your understanding of sport topics and how they connect to present conditions. Therefore, you will complete 5 Research Paper Assignments based off selected topics from the world of sports.

Instructions

For each paper you will answer the presented questions. Your answers must be comprehensive and be supported with current sport-related examples. Critical thinking must be demonstrated in each answered question.

Write your thoughts out effectively as you complete the reading assignments. Do not answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to any of the questions.

• Each question must be answered with no less than 200–300 words.
  • Each assignment should include a separate title page, the body of your paper and a separate reference page.
• APA (American Psychological Association) Format should be used to complete these assignments.
  • All answers must be compiled in a Word document.
  • Times New Roman, 12- point font, and double spaced throughout.
  • List ALL references, including your scriptural references using current APA mechanics.
• Each question must include references to support your answer.
  • Textbook support should be limited to two or three citations per question.
  • At least 1 reference in addition to the course textbook.
  • A scriptural reference that is related to the topic.
• Acceptable sources include.
  • Scholarly articles published within the last five years.
  • Any Biblical translation.

Note: Each assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Research Paper: Early Sports Assignment

Please answer three (3) of the four (4) questions.

1. Summarize the arguments used for and against football and early college sports.
2. Compare and contrast Victorian ideals with the modern secularism of the progressive era.
3. Explain the relationship between Muscular Christianity and sports, past and present.
4. Evaluate the role and contributions of organizations such as the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, New York Athletic Club, and the AAU in the history of American sports?

Research Paper: Women in Early Sports Assignment

Please answer all three (3) questions.

1. Describe the activities of a typical “play day.” How did play days differ from athletic competition?
2. Evaluate the changing views of womanhood and femininity as seen in the life of Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias.
3. What were the “Smith Rules?” Why are they significant in helping us understand gender roles at the turn of the twentieth century?

Research Paper: Reports and Innovations of the Early 1900s Assignment

Please answer all three (3) questions.

1. Describe the impact the Carnegie Commission report of 1920 and the 1951 gambling scandal had on college sports.
2. What was the impact of the career of Tex Rickard upon the structure of American sports?
3. How did organized baseball try to survive during the 1930s? Were these innovations successful?
   

   Research Paper Assignment: Women in Early Sports

Research Paper: Television’s Impact of Sports Assignment

Please answer all three (3) questions.

1. How and why did “Friday night fights” and television negatively impact the existing culture of professional boxing?
2. Describe and assess the contributions of Roone Arledge to televised sports.
3. List and discuss three major ways television impacted sports.

Research Paper: Stadiums, Leagues, and Professionalism Assignment

Please answer 3 of the 5 questions listed below.

1. Explain the Sanity Code. Why was it approved by the NCAA national convention?  Was it successful?
2. Compare and contrast the different eras of stadium construction. Be sure to include factors such as financing, location, and design.
3. Assess the contribution and impacts of competing leagues, such as the AFL, ABA, and USFL.
4. Pick one of the following and discuss its development and struggles: NASCAR, NHL, MLS.
5. Outline the changing views towards professionalism in the Olympics from Pierre de Coubertin to the present. How and why have views changed? Who is responsible?