Nine for IX Review

Nine for IX Review

The concept of gender bias is a long-living topic in the past and contemporary societies. Activists have been championing for equality in the treatment of both men and women. Such efforts are evident in the fields of employment, education, and, markedly, sports. The film series “Nine for IX” illuminates the life experiences of female athletes in a world that has historically been dominated by males. The movie entails nine episodes, each exploring a specific aspect of women in sports. Primarily, the producers seek to demonstrate the real lives of female athletes and the factors influencing their actions, success, and failures. The pressures faced by women in sports occupy a central position in this film series as they have a fundamental impact on their lives.

The producers use female journalists to present the film. The reporters examine and discuss the lives and careers of female athletes and the issues that affected them. For instance, the first episode features Ava DuVernay, who explores the sporting life of Venus Williams and her demands for partiality in compensation. In this segment, the narrator deliberates the bias in earnings between men and women tennis championships, despite having similar credentials. Likewise, the sixth episode, “Branded,” discusses the role of sex in sports using the accomplishments of Anna Kournikova, an average tennis player who earned as much as her top-ranking counterparts due to her “beauty” and celebrity status. The pressure for women to remain attractive regardless of their profession, a requirement not imposed on male athletes, can be interpreted as a deterrence to their careers and a challenge to the development of sports (Hyre, Chen, & Larson 214). The producers of the film, therefore, seek to unearth the main subject of double standards in competitions through such elements as remuneration, social status, public expectations, and reception, among others, which are tackled in each of the nine chapters.

The film “Nine for IX” engages with several broader concepts in society. While the production primarily focused on athletics, the identified issues are relevant to other fields where women face discrimination. Disrespect and sexual persecution remain to be notable challenges met by women in their professions (Hejase 110). The seventh chapter, “Let Them Wear Their towels,” discusses the experience of Lisa Olson, who was harassed by both players and fans during her coverage of a New England Patriots locker room session. The encounter was highly distressing, prompting the reporter to move to Australia. Such behavior is comparable to the numerous cases of men harassing female colleagues at the workplace.

Moreover, the film “Nine for IX” also discusses the accomplishments of women despite the various discouragements and negative social pressure. Resilience is an essential attribute that enables one to withstand challenges to pursue established goals, and can, thus, be directly linked to success. The second episode illuminates the life of legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt, who set the record for the most wins at the college level before retiring. Despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the coach completed the 2011/12 season, receiving honorary recognition at the end. Likewise, the fifth and eighth chapters dwell on the commitments of Audrey Mestre and Sheryl Swoopes, respectively, who stretched their capacities to realize credit in their sports. Such broader elements challenge the lesser regard with which societies perceive women, reinforcing the need for equality.

Works Cited

Hejase, Hussin Jose. “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: An Exploratory Study from Lebanon.” Journal of Management Research, vol. 7, no. 1, 2015, pp. 107–118., doi:10.5296/jmr.v7i1.6965.

Hyre, Tess, et al. “Perceptions Concerning Obstacles, Stereotypes, and Discrimination Faced by Female Sports Reporters and Other Female Sports Professionals.” Athens Journal of Sports, vol. 4, no. 3, 2017, pp. 213–230., doi:10.30958/ajspo.4.3.4.

Roberts, Robin and Jane Rosenthal, directors. Nine for IX. ESPN, 2013.