Better For Everyone - Blog Posts

Lacrosse is the most sexist sport. Fight me about it.

PLEASE READ. WE GOT TO GET THIS CONVERSATION ROLLING.

When I say lacrosse one of two different sports must pop into your head. And I do mean two DIFFERENT sports.

Men's Lacrosse (implies exclusive to men)

Or

Women's Lacrosse (implies exclusive to women)

Although they look similar - wait, they don't even look similar - they are quite different.

The rules are different, the sticks are different, and the protective equipment are different. The rules alone being different is enough to determine that these are two separate types of games.

This would be perfectly fine and all if the names didn't automatic segregate by sex.

When a girl says, "I play lacrosse," you picture a complete different thing than when a guy says the same thing.

If a girl plays lacrosse it will always be implied she's playing women's lacrosse.

If a boy says he's playing lacrosse it will always be implied he's playing men's lacrosse.

Sure, there are those rare exceptions, such as a girl who plays on a men's lacrosse team or vice versa, but it shouldn't have to be that way. It shouldn't have to be considered an exception.

Girls and guys are discouraged from playing "the other gender's" lacrosse just because of the name.

No other sport does this (at least not to such a drastic extent (think ice hockey)).

If a girl says she's playing football, she's playing football.

If a boy says he's playing softball, he's playing softball.

For softball and football, society is who determines wether it is a "men's sport" or a "women's sport," not the fucking name. Even then, at least women are still welcomed to play on a women's league and guys are welcomed to play softball on a men's league.

The same cannot be said about lacrosse.

Don't get me wrong, I think both men's and women's lacrosse are great sports. I'm not saying we should get rid of one or the other. All I want to propose is a name change. That single change could solve this whole problem despite how challenging it may seem.

Call the sports different names because that is what they deserve.

Finally, not to be cliche, but it's 2018 (almost 2019!) so doesn't this whole men's/women's thing seem a bit old fashioned? Plus what if you're non-binary? Then are you welcomed to choose? Or are you just not welcomed to any?

Sports are fun and should never be limited to any single group of people as long as there is a means to play.

If you have any input or comment whether pro or against my opinion feel free to add to the discussion!