Sheree Bekker and Stephen Mumford, authors of "Open Play," advocate for eliminating gender categories in sports. They contend that the current system limits women's potential and perpetuates inequality. They argue that focusing on factors like size, skill, and training resources would create a fairer and more inclusive environment.
Bekker and Mumford challenge the common belief that inherent biological differences (specifically testosterone) solely explain the performance gap between genders. They argue that societal factors like training, resources, and expectations play a much more significant role.
The authors discuss historical examples where women excelling in male-dominated sports were subsequently excluded and women's leagues were formed. They suggest this highlights how female participation in sports has been actively suppressed by patriarchal structures.
The authors acknowledge the practical challenges in implementing a gender-neutral system. They propose a model that categorizes athletes based on skills and abilities specific to each sport, drawing parallels to existing systems like age-based divisions and Paralympic classifications. They address the concerns around transgender athletes, emphasizing that the issue is often politicized and that transgender women don't dominate competitive sports. They argue that the focus should be on addressing systemic inequalities rather than on manufactured controversies.
The authors anticipate criticism from scientists and others about their views on testosterone's role. They respond by pointing to the influence of social and cultural factors on athletic performance and using the discrepancies in investment in men's and women's sports across different nations as evidence. They also respond to critics who see women's sports as a positive accomplishment, noting that while representing progress, it's not a final solution for gender equality in sports.