Women in Coaching

     Limited women in sports has been a long-lasting issue. With the introduction of Title 9, the number of women playing sports has increased dramatically. In high school sports, participation is split nearly 50/50 between men and women. One of the biggest problems is a lack of women's coaching. Even in women's sports, it is not the standard to have a female coach. How is this fair? Especially in youth sports, it is important for players to have a role model to look up to and say they want to be like them. It's much easier for younger players to have this with a same-gender coach. 

    One reason for this divide is the limited opportunities women have. Studies show that people are more likely to hire other people who look like them. And with the vast majority of athletic directors being men, it would make sense that they hire mostly men. I also believe that a important factor contributing to more men being hired than women is their resumes. With pro women's leagues just now beginning to emerge, women aren't yet able to stack their resumes with years of pro experience and championships. Whereas, men's pro leagues have been around for so long that there are way more men with professional athletic experience to put on their resumes.

    The biggest problem with a lack of women's coaching is the double standard held against female coaches. There are many examples of this double standard. When women are fired from one position, finding a new one is nearly impossible, while men can bounce around programs. Women showing energy on the sidelines are "too emotional". This double standard is a product of traditional gender norms that we work every day to break down. I think in the coming years, as more pro women's sports thrive, women will find it easier to get into the coaching industry.