Caroline Horne

Professor Williams
November 18th 2010
Writing 101

The Debate Continues- Men Vs. Women? Who is Really Better?

Throughout human history, people have always viewed men as superior to

women. Women have always had to struggle with questions of equality whether it was

suffrage and equal rights. This led to discrimination in schools and in the workforce and

has now even come to the point where sports have become an issue in terms of gender

equality. This Gatorade commercial helps to prove the point that at during the 21st

century, women have started to make a stand to show that they are just as good or as

strong or, in some cases, even better off than men. The Gatorade commercial with Mia

Hamm and Michael Jordan fully shows the concept that anything men can do women can

do the same or even better.

The commercial starts off with Michael Jordan beating Mia Hamm in everything

they are doing, but later shows Mia tying and beating Michael which is a good

representation of the Gatorade slogan “Is it in you?” because it proves that women can

fight harder and often beat men. This commercial aired for a very long time because of

the message it shows. It also shows young girls and teenagers that they too have what it

takes to be a great athlete. Having fantastic female athletes and great female role models

like Mia Hamm has turned society into what it is today. Having two famous athletes in

the commercial also helps to appeal to people because our society is so obsessed with pop

culture that if something on the television shows an important message, people are more

apt to pay attention to it if there are celebrities being shown.

 Personally, I believe that this commercial is very accurate in the respect that it

fully shows how anyone can do anything if they really put their mind to it. Gatorade has

always shown this in their commercials with the “Is it in You?” slogan because this asks

the audience what can they can do to go farther and longer in any aspect of their lives, not

just in sports. As a student athlete at the college level, I have seen the ways that men are

still treated better than women. For example, the new Swenson field is designed for all

the sports here at Bridgewater, but still the men’s football team has the first priority on

the field even if the difference is between the field hockey team practicing on the field for

forty-five minutes to prepare for a playoff game and the football team kicking them off to

practice for their final game of the season.

I believe that even though the situation is getting better, there is still prejudice

against women in sports and how many people think that men are just that much more

superior. Title IX is a law passed in 1972 that requires gender equity for boys and girls in

every educational program that receives federal funding. The article by Sara Lipka, Use

of Interests Surveys for Title IX Compliance is Debated Before Civil Rights Commission,

states that the “government should view women as thinking, discerning individuals

capable of expressing and acting on their interests” (Lipka). This quote makes a very

good point in saying that women can say anything they want to say whether it is positive

or negative and that women have the right to stand up for themselves. In this day and age,

women should have every right and should receive every bit of respect that men do in this

society. The 2007 Gatorade commercial featuring Hamm and Jordan really started giving

the people the idea that women do have the potential to be amazing people, workers, and

athletes.
 Gatorade does a very good job with the artwork and catching people’s attention

by using bright colors such as the orange in their logo. Also, using different fields and

different sports really proves that anybody can do anything if the effort is there.

While interviewing my roommate and fellow student-athlete, Audrey Taylor, I

found that many people, not just those in my high school experiences, have had their

lives affected by gender equality. I asked Audrey “As a female athlete growing up, what

are your feelings on gender equality in sports?” Audrey responded with similar feelings

to mine, the feeling of being inferior to men, especially on the field:

Growing up, I felt as though I had very even opportunities in the sports

and

recreation that I participated in. I guess I never realized it until I got the

varsity

level of a championship winning team, competing with the boys’ team

who had not won a championship in many years. The boys’ coach was

also our Athletic

Director, and only cared about “his field” and “his boys.” Not only was

this a

gender issue among our team, always fighting for practice time on the

varsity and game field, but we also felt as if we had a disadvantage

with our coach being the

most generous person I know. It’s frustrating, having to compete

 with a team who you have proved to compete better than just because they

are the

‘superior gender.’ I guess that’s what it all comes down to.

Another person I interviewed is former Bridgewater State College athlete and current

field hockey coach Erika Smith. I asked her, “As a coach at the college level how do you

feel gender equality affects your team’s ability to succeed?” She responded with:

As a college coach, gender equality plays a big role. For example, the

football team wanted full access to the new turf field from 3:30-5:30. It

was not equal for us, so we got to split the time, which makes our team

more successful. I personally feel that football is still given special

treatment that we do not receive. I can let it hurt the team, but I don't. I

just do what I can and fight for the team. Title IX has helped women's

sports in many ways. We wouldn't be as successful as we are without it. In

conclusion, I do feel that it affects the team's ability to succeed and I will

keep working hard to make sure we are equal!”

By interviewing both Coach Erika Smith and Audrey Taylor I came to the conclusion that

the sports world still perceives men as more skilled individuals than women. Hopefully at

some point in the near future, women athletes everywhere can have the same privileges

as men.

In Conclusion, the Gatorade commercial with Mia Hamm and Michael Jordan

sends the message that women can do as well or better than men in all aspects of life.

Title IX was passed to make sure that women had the same rights as men in sports. I
believe that Gatorade did a very good job in making this commercial trying to show

people that women are equal and that “anything males can do, women can do better.”