"You get the sense that in football women are service providers, you've got your mum who drives you to and from training...you've got physios...you've got PR, who are moulding their image, you've got dietitians...everyone's working for them, so when you go to a bar they're still providing a service. They provide sex, they provide one-upmanship for each other for bonding" - Anna Krien in an interview for SlowTV.
Like it or not, the game has serious issues in regards to its treatment of women. From the blatantly sexist (Sam Newman stating that there is no place for a woman on the board of AFL clubs), to the uncomfortable (the ongoing undermining of football commentator Caroline Wilson) to the out-and-out wrong (sexual assaults and rapes), there seems to be no end to the ways in which the sport (and the men who run it) malign and disrespect the women who play any role in 'their' world.
Since the last few very public incidents of sexual assault and/or torrid affairs, the AFL claims it is attempting to address these issues with specific training programs and other pro-active measures. But what's new about that? This document from 2005 shows that the AFL has protected itself by putting acceptable codes of conduct on paper for a long time. It's hard to see how another round of 'education programs' aimed at bored, disinterested players will make any difference. Isn't it just like being made to go to any training in your workplace? We all suffer through OH&S training, taking in nothing and wondering what we will have for dinner.
And while this fundamental misogyny is probably my greatest point of discomfort with the AFL, it's certainly not the only issue I have. The outspoken homophobia, which goes seemingly unchecked, the incidents of violence that seem to follow players around like a bad smell, and the cult of celebrity and fame that seems to be celebrated in a way most other sports don't fall into also bother me.
So how to I tackle this issue as a parent? How do I encourage Avery to enjoy the spectacle of a good footy match without buying into the marketing machine that surrounds the AFL? What should I do if he decides he actually wants to play football? Is there a way to play the game without buying into the culture of misogyny and hate? I don't want my son to become part of a machine that, as Anna Krien so aptly sums up, treats women as service providers.
I don't have the answers, but I have a feeling I'm going to need to find them. After taking Averyto his first local footy match it's clear he has a soft spot for the sport. Or at least the cheering.
8 comments:
Great post. Currently our plan is to avoid all things football related, but they may prove more difficult than we think. We have only just moved to Melbourne and I don't think that we have any real idea how big football is down here...
Good luck carving your path with Avery. I'll be interested to see how it goes.
My thoughts exactly! Great post.
As a lifelong Melbourne resident I've chosen to opt out of the whole thing, until it is no longer my choice that is!
Welcome to Melbourne, Cristy! I think you have the advantage of being able to avoid the family pressure aspect. I find that the hardest to battle at present. I think once they are school aged that will be a whole other ball game (no pun intended). I'd be interested to hear how you find the football culture from a more detached perspective.
Thanks Leeroy. How I envy your ability to opt out! I do wish I could just shut the door to this issue, but given it's already a factor in our lives I'm trying to learn how to manage it proactively. Easier said than done!
Great post. As a born and bred Melbourne male I wrestle with similar demons when it comes to footy. Although I am a first generation Australian I grew up loving the game, both participating and supporting it. I know many mates who are exactly the same in that we are able to love the game but not get involved in the macho boy's club world that is exemplified by The Footy Show.
I think as long as life outside of footy is fulfilling and there are many additional interests and respectful values in place, you can raise a well rounded individual that can appreciate the wonderful history and belonging of the national code but also understand it's place as an activity and not a lifestyle.
For those new to Melbourne, don't necessarily turn your back on the game completely as you'll find footy supporters come from all walks of life.
Thursty, it sounds like we need more men like you. I think that's one of the issues surrounding footy culture. There are probably many more respectful, non-offensive men who follow the sport but somehow it is the worst elements we always end up seeing.
Having grown up going to games every single week, rain hail or shine, I appreciate the community aspects and the sport itself. I stopped going in 1997 when my beloved Fitzroy were no more, which also seemed to be a time when these issues weren't as public as they are now.
It's important that we know about and discuss the pitfalls of professional hero worship and the problematic elements of AFL (as a code and a culture). Having answers to those questions is another matter.
I feel your dilemma entirely (even though not in Melbourne). My eldest has started playing football (he's 9) and there is a question of how to balance the misogynistic aspects of the sport with the fun. I was really pleased that at the Club presentation day this year, woman had a strong presence. The MC and person in charge of the junior program is a woman (good at putting the small boys in their place in a very stern but smart way) and there was a lot of positive promotion of girls playing - both in the usual teams and in the mixed competition. One of the three winners of a 100 game award was a girl. Seeing greater integration of girls at the most junior level can only hope.
Secondly, I think that if you are teaching your boys about respect for women and feminism as they are growing up, they might be strong enough to act as agents for change themselves. The misogyny within sport isn't generated by the sport alone - it is a magnification of what is around in society, reinforced by blokey one-upmanship[. If we can teach our boys how unacceptable this is (in all contexts), maybe we can help change it all.
That is good news, Melissa. I think that as more women participate at all levels of community football there is a lot of opportunity for positive interaction and change. I do wonder, however, if this doesn't just feed into the 'women as service providers' issue (as Anna Krien raised) in many cases. Certainly it is a good thing that young girls playing football is increasing.
And yes, our own sons as agents for change is something I have a great deal of hope about!
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