Article
48 Mitchell Hamline L. Rev. 1139 (2022)

An Unexpected Result of Gender Equality Initiatives in Sports – The Sexualization of Female Athletes

By
Renalia DuBose

Female athletic uniforms have received notable attention and media coverage in recent years. However, there is a lengthy history underlying women’s involvement in sports and the hypersexualization of female athletes. This Article aims to address the long historical journey of female athletes who have been sexualized and begins by reviewing recent media coverage of female athletic uniforms, before discussing the history of women in sports. Title IX’s impact on female participation in athletics is examined. The changes to female athletic attire are considered before this Article scrutinizes the lack of progress in our current state of affairs. Finally, this Article closes by proposing ways to address the hypersexualization of female athletes in an effort to promote positive change.