According to the BBC,the Amateur International Boxing Association is advising women boxers to wear skirts. The President of the Association,Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, argues that it allows viewers to tell the difference between the men and the women:
I have heard many times, people say, ‘We can’t tell the difference between the men and the women,’ especially on TV, since they’re in the same uniforms and are wearing headgear.
At the European Championships in Rotterdam last week, women boxers from Poland and Romania adopted the new uniform (see photos here). A coach of the Poland team said: “By wearing skirts, in my opinion, it gives a good impression, a womanly impression.”
This might be an example of officials assuming that (1) men are the main audience for boxing and that (2) men will watch women’s boxing more if they differentiate/sexualize women.
It might also, however, be anexample of an attempt to retrench difference between men and women exactly when those differences start to dissolve. Discomfort with the lack of actual differences between men and women sometimes leads individuals to encourage or enforce artificial ones. I would say that this is one of the main functions of clothes today. Yeah, I said it. I thinkexaggeratingwhat are actually rather weak and strongly overlapping differences between men and women is one of the primary functions of clothes.
In any case, it’s probably a combination of both.
Earlier this year they tried this with badminton, but it didn’t take.
The idea that women athletes aren’t sufficiently feminine has been around as long as sports have been around. Today, the feminizing of athletes is ubiquitous. Seeour posts on Serena Williams’ ESPN cover, Candace Parker “is pretty, which helps,” press photos of women athletes in dresses,groundbreaking woman sailor is also pretty, sexualizing Olympic women athletes, diets of champions,media portrayals of woman atheletes, andvaluing dads in the WNBA.
Reprinted from Sociological Images.
In a fashion article in the next issue of Ms.–yes, you read that right, we’re taking on fashion!–Minh-Ha T. Pham delves into the pressures on women in non-traditional careers to dress “feminine,” among other feminist clothing issues. Join Ms. now to get the next issue delivered to your door.
Photo of women boxers in 1916 from Wikimedia Commons.
FAQs
In a new sentence in the Competition Uniform section, AIBA ruled that female boxers will wear "either shorts or the option of a skirt." The new rule specifies no particular length for the skirt.
When were women allowed to wear skirts? ›
Skirts have been worn since prehistoric times as the simplest way to cover the lower body. Figurines produced by the Vinča culture ( c. 5700–4500 BC) located on the territory of present-day Serbia and neighboring Balkans from the start of the Copper Age show women in skirt-like garments.
What do professional female boxers wear? ›
4) Female boxers shall wear breast protectors and groin protectors that are both properly fitted and a mouthpiece is also required.
Why do female boxers wear skirts? ›
“By wearing skirts, in my opinion, it gives a good impression, a womanly impression,” Poland coach Leszek Piotrowski told BBC Sport. Many female boxers, unsurprisingly, don't care about “womanly impressions.” They care about pummeling their opponent in the face. And doing so in the same fashion as men.
Is it normal for girls to wear boxers as shorts? ›
In conclusion, it is more than okay for girls to wear boxers; it is a fashion-forward choice that prioritises comfort without compromising on style. The rise in popularity of womens boxers signifies a broader shift towards gender-neutral clothing options that challenge traditional norms.
Why were women supposed to wear skirts? ›
Historically, skirts were simple yet practical garments that protected both men and women from the elements and allowed them to move more freely during physical labour.
Why were skirts so short in the 60s? ›
But it was the revolutionary swinging 60s where the miniskirt became the cultural icon we recognize today. It signified a political youth movement where teens no longer wanted to dress like their parents. The miniskirt was a playful, rebellious garment, representing the shift in societal dynamics.
What is a bubble skirt? ›
The bubble dress has a very specific and well defined style which is characterised by a voluminous skirt. The hem of the skirt is folded back on itself to create a 'Bubble' effect at the hemline.
How do female boxers protect their breasts? ›
Female boxers wear breast protectors during training and competition. These chest protectors offer protection for the breasts, ribs and sternum. These chest protectors typically have removable protective cups that help to minimise injuries.
Do female boxers wear cups? ›
It's worth noting that in American boxing, female fighters can wear breast protectors, but it's optional. She goes on to highlight that these gears aren't required in America, claiming it's pointless. Not even sure why us women have to wear cups in the first place. They don't require it in America, just the UK!
Womens boxers shorts, also known as boyshorts or girl boxers, are a type of women's underwear that is designed to mimic the style and comfort of traditional men's boxer shorts.
Do female boxers wear groin guards? ›
While men wear groin protectors for boxing matches women boxers wear pelvic guards. A pelvic guard is similar to a groin guard but provides greater protection to the abdomen area and pelvic area.
Can girls wear boxers outside? ›
And they're not just for at-home wear — form-fitting styles can be worn under other clothing, on their own around the house as loungewear or even outdoors if they're opaque enough.
Why do girls wear groin guards in boxing? ›
Female boxing groin guards are designed to offer maximum protection to the pelvic floor muscle. Keeping this area protected can allow the female fighter to worry less about low blows and focus their mind more on shot selection.
According to the BBC,the Amateur International Boxing Association is advising women boxers to wear skirts. The President of the Association,Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, argues that it allows viewers to tell the difference between the men and the women: