Gender Pay Gap: Why Are Women Still Paid Less Than Men?

Gender pay gaps exist all over the world, but nowhere is the gap so vast as it is in sports. The discrepancy of the income between genders lies in the introduction of modern sports, over 150 years ago. It is said that “Victorian society viewed sports as inseparable from the philosophy of Muscular Christianity, which defined itself against femininity and softness” ("Sport's Gender Pay Gap: Why Are Women Still Paid Less than Men?"). However, even after 150 years of evolving and growing as a nation, people still view female athletes as second -class citizens to their male counterparts. Therefore, equality between men and women should be justified in sports because of equal effort and it creates a positive influence for other women and younger

Look at the World Cup results from both of the U.S. National Soccer teams. In a total of 10 appearances at one of biggest tournament for soccer, the men’s team has not advanced past the quarterfinals. However, with only 7 appearances, the women’s team has managed to bring home the gold 3 times, in 1991, 1999, and 2015. It has been stated that, “U.S. Soccer, which governs the sport in America, is accused of discrimination for women less than men--despite equal work and more success. For the women’s achievements, Lloyd and her teammates were each paid a bonus of $75,000 by the U.S. Soccer Federation. But, if the men’s team would have won their World Cup a year earlier, each player would have been paid a bonus of roughly $400,000” (Stoffers). People would think that after what the women’s team has attained for the country and U.S. soccer, the Federation would see the differences in talent, effort, and wins between the two teams and notice a problem. However, that is not the case. After years of the constant triumph for the women and defeat for the men, the U.S. Soccer Federation refuses to revise the players’ profit. On top of that, it has been stated that “The women in the United States are generating more money than the men are, seeing that U.S. Soccer projects that 2017 revenue for the women’s

As a result from the consistent injustice towards women, the participation rates in sports have exponentially decreased. “It is necessary to reduce the stereotype that women are not equal to men in sports and sports governance because although women are given an equal opportunity, they are still less likely to participate in sports or to be given equal opportunities in sports governance because of gender discrimination and gender stereotypes” (Academy). Women and young girls all around the world hear and read news about them not being as valuable as men. The constant negativity, adversity, and inequality puts a toll on the confidence of these young women. This halts their desire and wish to keep participating in sports because they assume that since women are treated with discrimination, they are not as talented. Overall, work done by women simply are not appreciated as highly. “Undervaluing the labor of women compared to that of men is bad, but failing to value the efforts of the women at all is worse” ("No Matter The Sport, Women Athletes Are Always Paid Less"). When people do not acknowledge all the blood, sweat, and tears that female athletes put into not only games but their own personal growth as a player, it automatically dampens the assurance in themselves and their ambition to work hard. However, when people do recognize the difference between the player before