There is a prolonged history marked by partition and discernment in women partaking in sports. On the other hand, female athletes and essential enhancements for gender equality and the empowerment of women also fulfill this history. Women in sport leadership shape attitudes concerning women’s abilities as decision-makers. In addition, there is a substantial influence to society development. The Federal Legislation generally referred to as Title IX, made it mandatory that American society recognizes a woman’s right to partake in sports. Before this law, activities for women were non-competitive and informal. In Million Dollar Baby, a woman undergoes the hardships of the feminist movement in sports. Maggie Fitzgerald, a working class waitress …show more content…
According to Emily A. Dane (2007), the first movie to have a female lead character was Million Dollar Baby in 2004 (p. 53). Foregoing research has established that an athlete’s gender helps to sway how they are depicted in the media (Dane, 2007, p. 58). Previously, athletes have been males, so the characteristics that are seen as essential for an athlete to prosper are recognized as “male”. As female athletes are emerging and times have changed, they are displaying more “male characteristics” (Dane, 2007, p. …show more content…
123). Million Dollar Baby has been critiqued for its stereotypical view of disability and the violence it does by outwardly encouraging that people with disabilities be put to death humanely. However, this film also reveals much about the way stigma relies upon reinforcement. For example, there is a justification of cinematic violence against difference, especially bodily differences. In Million Dollar Baby, the body signifies ability and class. Maggie seems to continuously run from the “body”. The denial of the body is a major factor in the movie. Maggie denies her feminine side and has to since she wants Frankie to train her and he doesn’t train girls. Frankie is repetitively reminding Maggie not to act like a girl. In addition to denying her feminine side of her body, Maggie also denies her body through boxing, which is seen as an unnatural act. Frankie trains her to deny her body because it is his profession to fix it when it seems like it is falling apart from the mistreatment it takes in the