It Starts on the Court: Gender Equality in Sports and Beyond | Sarah Du | TEDxDeerfieldAcademy

Sarah Du shares ideas on how gender equality in sports can drive equality off the court. Drawing on examples from the US and China, in both amateur and professional outlets, Sarah challenges us to think more intentionally about sports programs and participation.
Sarah Du is Deerfield Academy class of 2017. She lives in Beijing, China.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@sophiehollingworth7218]

I'm watching this four years on and I can't help but be shocked at some of the comments. I'm almost 20 years old and for 13 years of them I was trained in ballet. Don't get me wrong, I learned so many important lessons about self discipline, respect and commitment from it that I still apply today. I stuck with dancing because for a long time I had enjoyed it and it's what everyone around me expected. Girls did sports like dancing and gymnastics, and the boys played rugby, cricket and football. Ultimately though, ballet wasn't exactly me. So, when I finally got the chance to stop I did. But I was determined to replace it with something I was passionate about. When I moved to university I got the chance to try so many new sports that had previously been unavailable to me. I was surprised to find so many of the smaller sports clubs not gendered at all. Everyone played together and the teams were chosen off talent and skill. Obviously there were some sports still separate and I understand why, but the fact that these sports were even open to women at all was incredible. So I decided to give something completely new a go and try rugby. Much to my family's disapproval, I fell in love. I'd never been able to play sports with a team before. It had always just been me and my mistakes but now I had a group of girls to support me and develop with together. To them it didn't matter if you were a complete newbie or had been playing for years. All girls deserved the chance to prove themselves on the pitch and I couldn't help admire their determination and teamwork. I've been playing for my university team for 2 years now and have gained more confidence and strength than I ever could have dreamed of. Having access to this incredible support network has enabled me to become more empowered and stronger than ever. Playing rugby has even helped me get hired - employers love to see teamwork more than they do your grades. It is honesly shocking to me that simple access to sports, even in a recreational and chilled environment is still an issue today. All that it takes is a ball and some players for entirely new friendships and experiences to be created. The benefits are undeniable and the fact this is still being denied to girls honestly just baffles me

[@sophiehollingworth7218]

@@damien50 Well evidently they are otherwise this entire talk wouldn't exist...?

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@sophiehollingworth7218 Title 9 denies males What are you on about? You do know Ted Talks allows any moron to give any completely illogical talk, right?

[@pierrecausemybladdersempty1678]

It's also being denied to male athletes who aren't any good. Hmm, I wonder why? Do you ladies just want everything handed to you?

[@shadowace159]

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS LIKE SHE HAS A GOOD POINT SO WHY

[@edwardso8903]

Because she doesn't make any sense. For examples, the reason why women earn less than men in sports such as football or the nba, its just simply because you CANNOT earn more than you make.......... She is pulling the numbers out of context. The men world Cup generated 4-6 billion on top of my head, the women is no where near it somewhere around 100 mil. The men got about I think 1% of the revenue as the champion, and women got 4% of the total revenue.... How's that fair to the men? Its just demand and supply.... Its not that men are sexist. Especially in competitive sports. Are you going to force people to watch women competitive sports and enjoy them ????? Wtf is wrong with this girl?

[@lawrencegroves8307]

She's right. The working world is full of competition and we learn many skills from our families and school so it makes sense to have this included in sports.

[@hairystyles9794]

Women should have to compete vs men at all levels and sports, especially boxing and mma. This discussion would end after one event

[@wendibaldwin6564]

YESSSSS!❤️

[@manasgaur7897]

Lol why don’t we put mike Tyson in with a chick and then talk about equality of genders. (Btw I’m being sarcastic, it would be murder to put a girl in with mike Tyson)

[@jackg2630]

It’s cold blooded but team owners pay Athletes are paid based on how much they generate. Even in the nhl the players get ducked over by the owners - the owners find every possible way to not dish out money. Like there’s a tax called Escro that fucks over pro athletes constantly. So I think to address both issues the team owners are where to start. They are cold blooded

[@robertteves6088]

It's called capitalism. They're the owners. If you the players don't like it, quit and start your own team.

[@Spartan-vz1dl]

Women are their own worst enemy. My girlfriend and I, a couple of nights ago, were watching the tennis Chung v Djokovic, a fantastic game BTW. There was a woman's game, which was about to begin straight after, now I would love to tell you the names of the Women playing but my girlfriend didn't want to watch it because she said women's games were boring, She has been trying to tell me about woman's equality for years, LOL

[@adrianareixachgarcia]

That's because your girlfriend it's like that it doesnt mean we are all like that. It's not boring

[@deficator750]

Exactly! Every girl i know says the same thing, no action. Yet they think the rewards are like handouts they just choose to give to men more then women.

[@illarionbykov7401]

Most feminists are pathological liars and hypocrites--inconvenient truths go in one ear and out the other.

[@bfbvouabeorbvoaervure963]

Illarion Bykov No, most feminists are literally just normal people wanting equality. Don’t take the few and far between women on the internet to be everyone. Just like I won’t take the men who are incels or rapists to be all men.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@bfbvouabeorbvoaervure963 How are you "equal" ? What rights don't you have?

[@DONTHATETHEPLAYA321]

Why do women wear less clothes in sports???

[@Mucho-Taco]

Does this mean that the girls basketball will use a normal sized ball???

[@jclifts22]

Yes. It does. 👏👏👏great observation

[@jovohodzic508]

I'm pretty certain they play with no balls at all.

[@pierrecausemybladdersempty1678]

They not only use a different ball, the three is closer, and they're quarters are shorter. They also don't have an 8 second rule, mainly because they can't dribble

[@Momogamer9]

@@jovohodzic508 good one 🤣🤣🤣

[@Momogamer9]

@@pierrecausemybladdersempty1678 wait what?? There’s an 8 second rule when u pick up the ball??

[@d_dirty_rl6493]

Girl lacrosse and boys lacrosse are two different sports basically, that’s just a small example. How can there be equality, if the girls played with guys they would get clapped. If you take a man and a woman who are both the same weight and height, I promise you the guy will be 2x stronger

[@keithdaveyfl]

Overall, people generally consider women’s sports to be minor league since women would be unfairly disadvantaged if they needed to compete directly with men (strength, endurance, level of competition, etc.). However, some people complain that women should be paid the same as men who have the same title (e.g. soccer players, etc.). Using this logic, all NFL quarterbacks should be paid the same amount because they’re all “quarterbacks”. For example, Danica Patrick competed in a gender-neutral sports world of car racing but was clearly not among the best drivers when it came to skill, ability, and experience. However, no one came forward and complained she was being paid less than men because she was a woman. It was clear she was paid based on her skill and ability.

[@robertteves6088]

That's why I love tennis and golf over team sports. In tennis and golf, if you don't play well, you're out of the tournament early and not making money. There are no contracts like with the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, etc. WhAT I think it would make it more truthful and open up everyone's eyes to reality, is if women's tennis and golf were just liquidated and combine them with the mens leagues and let them openly compete against each other for say 5 years, then at that time, put out their rankings and cut 1/2 from the league. See how many women would be left then. Just as in NASCAR, let the women compete against men and see how many races they can win.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@robertteves6088 there would be no remaining femaies competing with a month or 2- it wouldn't take years

[@SURENITY]

This is great!! Why so many dislikes?!

[@mamsmams7095]

What's soccer? It's FOOTBALL MA'AM!!!

[@iluvkpoplol3059]

no one gives a Fuc

[@junsupark2904]

8:45 isn't that because people watch more NBAs than WNBA?

[@pierrecausemybladdersempty1678]

Yes, someone should teach these ladies basic math. It's hard to pay Maya Moore the same as Steph curry when he makes more than their entire league

[@kylestephens4133]

so, we need to regulate market forces and people's interests?

[@lockandloadlikehell]

**** "we need to regulate the overwhelming dominance of male physical performance over femaie physical performance"

[@danc8871]

I’ve seen equality in sports and it looks like a 16 year old girl getting carried off the ice of a hockey game after one clean hit.

[@yiannadance]

this video is about equal aportunities.

[@kingvirgo1368]

GENOVEFA PETIKOPOULOU go put some shoulder pads on and play football with 6 foot 5 men 250 pounds all muscle then you will get a taste of reality you women are in denial

[@lockandloadlikehell]

The NFL is wide open and waiting for you baby Whatchu waiting for

[@pierrecausemybladdersempty1678]

Which you have

[@matcontant6841]

lmao so one of the points was that not many girls were interested, no one is at fault there

[@brianbmf86]

Yea because NBA players are better and more fun to watch.

[@SURENITY]

brianbmf86 Woman NBA are great too!!

[@stephenmischewski6242]

@@SURENITY They're about as good as "good" high school kids

[@kenzooc1451]

All these sexist comments really show how messed up the world is when it comes to women’s sports. I am disappointed in everyone in the comment section. 😢

[@pierrecausemybladdersempty1678]

@Charles Fairchild exactly. People like this commenter above us don't care about facts they only care about their feelings. The sole reason there isn't equality in sports is because men are better and because of that they are more popular

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Reality = sexism Maybe we should lock all feminists uo since they're obviously insane

[@lockandloadlikehell]

"All 10,000+ record book results in Powerlifting Watch and all NAS records are sexist because I have a massive inferiority complex because I was built for seggs and childcare and DEFINITELY NOT for physical performance or dominance"- kenzo oc

[@smokeybirdman]

The best 15 yo males in any ball sport ie soccer football would always beat the best female team of all/any age.

[@manasgaur7897]

Lmao an Australian under 15s boys team best the national team 😂

[@caroquintero617]

Boxing, best male boxer vs female boxer? Hold on, the male boxer might get sued for battery.

[@bokijunior90]

I don't understand the first reason, how does the fact that children have to study contribute to less girls doing sports activities? Do girls need to study more?

[@kseniachevenard839]

girls are more responsible than boys for a large part of their childhood.

[@kseniachevenard839]

@KFC Man why would you say that? this is common knowledge in society

[@kseniachevenard839]

@KFC Man like what then? that's not even something that makes sense as a reply in this context

[@kseniachevenard839]

@KFC Man it has to do with brain structure. girls are more empathetic and obedient by nature, while boys are more into taking risks and acting impulsively.

[@kseniachevenard839]

@KFC Man on average. this rule generally holds true, but there will always be exceptions and it doesn't make them any less of their gender or abnormal in a bad way. boys do also have empathy, just less of it, and they sometimes follow rules, just not as often as girls.

[@ChiefWindyCheeks]

One rival year for viewership (in Soccer) doesn't condone an across the board equal pay increase in a sport that is VASTLY different in skill and viewers CHOICE and INTEREST . The End.

[@LooxJJ]

I enjoy lingerie football...and yes, I only watch it as a sport.

[@DONTHATETHEPLAYA321]

😆 my guy

[@dannygroening3547]

We are not equel coz u are girl and I boy

[@powersmile012]

@SIERRA MATTICE men got more testosterone. we are physically stronger and faster. learn some science. there will never be sports equality. women pays to see men compete. dads pay to see daughters compete. its harsh truth. u17 manchester united boys will definitely beat the us national womens team. bet.

[@tannopk]

Put women on the field and men on the side as cheerleaders and see how many views you get

[@blakenilsen9852]

Yo for real though if that happens I wanna see that lol

[@illarionbykov7401]

Maybe a few the first time (curiosity factor) and then none afterwards.

[@stephenwiesehahn2342]

Maybe their not just interested

[@ManaLad04]

Women are just not as good at sport. It is not an ideal thing but that is how it is. But there are organisations where women are privileged. Can we really take a would you rather quiz seriously?

[@juliolopes4304]

"women are just not as good at sport" it's because of stereotypes like this that there is no equality between HUMANS.

[@peteralmeida1769]

@@juliolopes4304 It's because of biology end of story.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@juliolopes4304 Why are their gendered sports leagues then, genius?? This should be good

[@edwardso8903]

@@juliolopes4304 how's it a stereotype?? What the actual fuk. Why is this even need to be a question? In competitive sport where all men and women are trained, in no way especially popular sports like basketball or football a women team can beat men teams. Holy cow, it's just biology. Both gender good at different things, and there is nothing wrong with it. Forcing an equal outcome as if everyone is the same is impossible. Because individuals are different. Let alone two different genders...

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@juliolopes4304 "every single one of the 10,000+ records in Powerlifting Watch is a stereotype"

[@uwotm8]

"We must encourage girl's to play sports" Why? What if they don't want to? Do we enforce them to? Equality of outcome is a dangerous path...

[@edwardso8903]

@@kenzooc1451 no one is stopping you from doing what you like if you really like it.... Learn some facts before you speak from feelings. Title xi literally FORCE colleges to have 60% of the their female students to all play sports but only 40% are interested no matter what. However male students are more interested on the otherhand in competitive sports despite being discouraged by LEGISLATION. College have to shut down men sports such as wrestling and open more sports for girls. This is not equality, this is brutal. How's it fair to the male students?? There is literally a whole government or a whole law giving girls an "edge" and rip off boy opportunity to play sports just because of "I want more girls atheles." Of fuking course it's society that makes girl don't want to get into competitive sport right?? Look at biologists for example, there werent many female biologists bk at the time, and people were like you "oh if women got into science they would havr gotten discouraged", guess how many female biologists now compare to male?!!

[@danjenkins9627]

9:20 Sorry but that "online poll" is such a copout in trying to prove your point. It's an anonymous online poll that anyone in the world has access to, with a lot of comments mentioning they don't even KNOW what the WNBA is or don't have a local WNBA team, so of course they'd choose the $5?! Very deceptive of her to use that, trying to illicit sympathy.

[@Readeninwheep]

Lemme see one girl beat Lebron James in a basketball pick up game without trying to injure him

[@jovohodzic508]

10 minutes of pure nonsense. Thank you, TEDx

[@robertteves6088]

I don't believe in equality in sports. I believe in capitalism and in individual mastery in sports. In capitalism, the owner of a team obtains the best individuals that can perform their roles masterfully. This why they should get rid of the "female" sports and just have 1 sports league in any sport, so that both men and women can try out for the positions of each team. Then we will know if women can keep up with men in any sport. If this were to happen, there may be 1 woman in millions that might make say the NBA or MLB or NHL I bet even Serena Williams, in her prime, wouldn't be able to make the ATP. This is why I will never forgive Bobby Riggs. Doesn't matter what the reason was that he took the dive against Billy Jean Kin but he did the world a disservice. It gave Athletic feminists false hope. I still don't see why female tennis players should get paid as much as male tennis players. If they want equal pay, then play just like the men. In Grands Slam tournaments, play best of 5 sets. During summer tournaments have equal heat index parameters, etc. So in summary, a single league per sport would show who the best players would be. May the best players dominate.

[@lawrencegroves8307]

If we include gender diversity in schools during childhood perhaps stereotypes will change and even create new, interesting competitive sports.

[@jimjones1232]

In other words, it's all about personal choices. Stop demanding that others to make the choices that you want them to make. Just because you want them to participate in sports doesn't mean that they have to. Nothing but more Liberal propaganda.

[@illarionbykov7401]

Whaaa! This poor little wounded bird needs the whaaambulance! She is so hurt by reality! She needs to be protected in an Ivory Tower for the reat of her life to avoid all the hurt!