Full disclosure: I am not a feminist. I am, however, a boldly-speaking, deep-thinking, sometimes-a-little-too-strongly-willed, sport-watching female. I also happen to play soccer. In the past twenty-five years, I've spent more time chasing a ball around than most other activities. Although I found significant playing time at the sweeper position for a few years in high school, most of my experience extends to the other side of the field as sweeper or an outside midfield position. I am an offensively-minded player at heart. The thrill of lobbing the perfect cross for the diving header or nailing a long shot from outside the 18 into the corner of the posts is positively euphoric. All of the advance training, communication and team work, sweat and effort, play-by-play success, and mini individual triumphs culminate in celebration once that ball crosses the goal line.
... Which is why I found myself extremely irritated when I heard one of the announcers during a Women's World Cup game exclaim, after the first goal of the match, "Wow! That's something she'll be able to tell her kids about one day!"
Okay.
I take zero issue with celebrating a memorable moment with an athlete. As a female also looking forward to raising children in the future, the idea of sharing past experiences with future offspring doesn't offend me. I also greatly enjoy the myriad of differences between men and women.
However.
As an athlete, hearing a commentator (and a female one, shockingly) jump from, "She scores!" to "She'll be able to tell her kids about that one day" is offensive and ridiculous. It glosses over the countless hours of hard work, athleticism, precision, and world class talent to relegate the player's worth to "her future offspring will have a mommy who did something neat once." A football announcer would never celebrate a touchdown from a punt return by exclaiming, "That guy will be able to show his son that run some day!"
The women playing in the FIFA World Cup are among the best players in the world now and in history. Countries that have never been on this world-wide stage are finally getting the opportunity to. Unlike many professional male athletes, most of these women work full-time because making a living as a soccer player just isn't realistic. These countries' representation culminates from millennia of women's rights and are worth celebrating! The progress made through their histories are beyond notable. The ability to bear and sustain human life ought to be marveled at. These women have incredible stories and lives that are should be told. And yes, they will have lives to return to once the games in Canada wrap up.
But when these women are playing soccer, their work as athletes is worth watching, following, and cheering for. Get excited about the skill. Comment on the triumphs and learn from the mistakes. Admire their precise footwork, their technique, their strength, and their strategy. Admire these women for the incredible athletes that they are.
