Testing Sex, Attributing Gender
What Caster Semenya Means to Women’s Sports
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jis.4.1.38Abstract
The highly-publicized case of Caster Semenya is a symptom of deeper problems that continue to plague women athletes at all levels—biased gender identification and a belief that sport and femininity do not mesh. I trace my own path through the thickets of “angry feminism,” a love of sports, stereotypes of the “fair” sex, and a 4-year-old nephew’s confused claim that Aunt Susan is a man. I examine symbols, body parts, gestures, clothing and other means by which men and women are unevenly (and often inaccurately and unfairly) identified. I note that in spite of new opportunities enjoyed by women to run, jump, compete and otherwise celebrate their physicality, female athletes still struggle to maintain their identity as “normal.” I see dangers in a world that forces its citizens into one of two gender boxes, but I also acknowledge gender as an important part of human identity and sporting opportunity. I conclude that I do not have any solutions, only questions. But I am certain that we should be able to play in a world where none of us is robbed of our joy.Metrics
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Published
2011-06-01
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Section
Conference Presentations And Responses
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Copyright is held by the authors.
How to Cite
Cahn, S. (2011). Testing Sex, Attributing Gender: What Caster Semenya Means to Women’s Sports. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 4(1), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.1123/jis.4.1.38