My entire life, I've been a huge fan of sports. I grew up playing sports, and my life has always revolved around sports. Needless to say, I love sports.
However, as I started nearing the middle of middle school, I realized that this was not common. I never tried to hide the fact that I played sports, however, I began to become extremely self-conscious about my interests. Most girls my age were interested in makeup, boys, and gossip. I just wanted to immerse myself in sports.
I didn't have much of a social life; I was extremely shy. I was observant, and one of the things I observed was how female sport fans were treated. Female sport fans constantly get questioned about the legitimacy of them being a fan, to the point where, as an introverted and self-conscious adolescent, I would've rather thrown away my image altogether to avoid the questioning.
As a society, we have allowed this kind of treatment to happen. We heavily associate "sports" with "male," and find it so intriguing when we encounter a female who is passionate about sports. Why though? What is so difficult about fathoming a female enjoying sports?
Most children grow up playing sports, both male and female. It is not uncommon to see a female involved directly in sports. Why is it deemed uncommon for females to be associated with sports then, to the point where some feel shame because of it?
Nobody's harmless interests, in general, should be invalidated or questioned. Negativity surrounding one's interests can be extremely harmful to an individual, and make them feel as though they're wrong, in a way, for liking the things they do.
Of course, the older I have gotten, the less I have stopped caring, but I still find it annoying when people ask me questions as if to validate my own interests. It's as if people try to get proof behind your claims, as if it's so bizarre that they cannot believe it without it.
I will never understand what the big deal is. Why can't women be taken seriously as sports fans? Why are only men "legitimate" sports fans? That is something I truly wonder often.
