Josh,+Abri

[|http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/09/19/hope-solo-told-to-be-more-feminine-on-dancing-with-the-stars/#1104-11] View article here.

Abstract: This article is about the U.S National Women's Soccer star goalkeeper Hope Solo and her recent debut on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. From entering the world of fame with coming in second place in the FIFA Women's Soccer Championships and standing out on the infamous red carpet, Hope Solo has now become a dominant figure head for not just women in America, but female athletes as well. However, this article is related to the very relevant topic of how female athletes are looked at when compared to women who are seen of representing beauty (red carpet women). After her first dance performance, the judges in the show have commented that she is very beautiful, but she is "too athletic" and she needs to be "more feminine." Hope Solo's muscular and athletic physique from being an athlete has influenced the judges in a way that she must become more feminine in order to be seen as a "feminine" woman.

Discussion Questions:

1) Do you think Hope Solo can be feminine enough to win Dancing with the Stars?

2) What would be the results, if there were an all-male judging group or an all-female judging group, instead of a mixed gender group judging her?

3) Do you think Hope Solo would be seen as a more feminine woman if she wasn't an athlete too?

4) Can female athletes be athletes and "red carpet" women at the same time?

5) What makes women dancers look masculine or feminine?

6) Do you think women need a feminine touch to be great dancers?

Josh's Response: I think this article is very relevant to what we have been discussing in class about the stereotypes of female athletes and how they are viewed in society. I believe that Hope Solo is a very accomplished woman who can do anything she wants no matter if she is an athlete and is trying to be a dancer. It is a shame that views about women athletes are shaded by the stereotypes that men have about female athletes compared to the women they see in magazines and movies. Hope Solo and other women athletes in my opinion can be both and whatever they want to be.

Abri's Response: As a female athlete, i am aware of the stereotypes of women as more masculine if they play sports. I believe that Hope Solo has a lot of guts to go out there knowing that she may not be the best dancer. By going on "Dancing with thee Stars", Hope could be opening a new door for athletic women to go out and show their feminine sides. I think it is wrong to say that Hope's body is too masculine, but i do believe to be a great dancer, women need the feminine touch to make them stand out. I hardly ever see a female athlete posing for a modeling picture or anything of that sort unless they are in their team uniform. Not all women are as feminine as others, but that does not make them any less of a women.