An email from a ‘fan’:
Since you follow the F1, was wondering if you knew the issue right now with regards to the F1 races where they are thinking of bringing in women drivers. And what’s more interesting is that the loser team Minardi is actually going to introduce one women driver into the F1 circuit. Well I guess after Alex anything is worth a shot.
Anyway in the SUN papers today Jenson Button actually commented on this issue and the following were his remarks:
- women drivers maybe to big to fit into the F1 cockpit
- one week in a month they wont be able to race or imagine any driver wanting to race them during the period
- the mechanics would face problems strapping them in (boobs) and would not be able to concentrate
What’s your opinion?
The wise one replies (Me-lah who else??!!):
Firstly I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even know there was a ruling against or for women drivers. Honestly, the lack of women drivers never even crossed my mind. (Now I have to go off in a corner and start pondering why it never occurred to me, because that's strange don't you think?)
So anyway, I'm delighted to find that there are actually pretty good (according to the papers) women drivers out there. And so if this will mark their foray into a male dominated circuit, then more power to them. I seriously think gender is a non issue when it comes to excelling on a level playing field. People shouldn't care what gender the drivers are as long as they're damn good at what they do. And for the record, this opinion doesn't just apply to F1 driving.
As for 'structural' differences, this is just silly. It reflects more on him than the women he seems to have a grudge against. Personally, it sounds like Button is very intimidated by more competition coming his way that he has to fall back on anatomy and biological makeup to protect his turf from intrusion. As such I won't even justify his dinosaur-mentality comments with a rebuttal.
PS: All together now, "Button sucks, Raikkonen's ma man!"
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Still not a feminist
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4 comments:
Haha. Structural differences is kind of an understatement. You women are from an entirely different planet, remember? :P
I agree though. Excelling at any sport requires mental strength and both men and women are equally capable of that. And in sports where physical strength isn't a deciding factor (though admittedly Formula 1 driving does require a high degree of physical stamina and endurance, it's a sauna in those fire retardant suits!), I think it's pretty much fair game.
Though having a woman excel and consistently excel over time (despite the obvious biological disadvantages) at a particular sport would be a feat much more remarkable compared to a man who's also consistently excellent.
Then again, sportswomen do tend to undergo longer periods out of their menstruation cycles compared to other women.
Anyway, I do disagree about Button. He's just a chauvinist pig. Like a lot of 'macho' men are. Simple explanation.
"Though having a woman excel and consistently excel over time (despite the obvious biological disadvantages) at a particular sport would be a feat much more remarkable compared to a man who's also consistently excellent."
Why do you say so?
Because women have to overcome a lot more emotion than men. Well, women in general. But I have a theory that successful women athletes are of a certain personality type and it's not that difficult for them.
emotion?? I would imagine (since I'm nowhere near being an athlete) that all one needs is cut throat ambition, the will to win and the desire to grind your competition into the dust. But maybe that's just me ;)
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