Sport is often framed as a key contributor to health and wellness, viewed primarily as a way to keep our bodies fit and healthy. However, this metanarrative is rarely questioned. While sport can indeed promote physical fitness and mental well-being, it also carries significant risks. For instance, sustaining a concussion during gymnastics can leave someone with lasting trauma, not only physically but also emotionally, potentially altering their relationship with the sport and detracting from their overall health. This becomes even more important when considering the cultural and social structures surrounding sport. As Scraton and Flintoff argue, sport is deeply embedded within societal power dynamics and often reinforces dominant ideologies, such as competitiveness, achievement, and perfection. These ideals can exacerbate risks by creating environments where athletes feel pressured to prioritize performance over their well-being, even at the expense of their health. For example, young gymnasts may continue to train and compete despite injuries due to societal and institutional expectations around success and resilience. These pressures not only challenge the simplistic notion that sport is inherently beneficial but also expose how its underlying structures can perpetuate harm. So, why does this matter? It matters because sport shapes our childhood experiences, influences our worldviews, and informs our understanding of health and success. Yet, as Scraton and Flintoff suggest, the cultural glorification of sport often masks its complexities and potential for harm. By critically examining this narrative, we can better address issues of power, inequality, and risk within sport, fostering a more inclusive and realistic approach. This shift would prioritize safety, well-being, and long-term health over performance at all costs, ensuring sport truly contributes to individual and collective wellness.

 

The intersection of sport and society is evident in issues of equity and representation. For example, societal norms often push girls toward sports like dance, ringette, or volleyball while discouraging their participation in full-contact sports like judo, hockey, or rugby—sports that are traditionally viewed as male-dominated. Similarly, boys who choose sports like gymnastics often face ridicule or have their masculinity questioned, revealing how deeply ingrained gender stereotypes are in the world of sport. A powerful example of challenging these norms is Ilona Maher, an advocate for breaking gender barriers in sports. As a professional rugby player, she not only represents women in a male-dominated field but also embraces and celebrates the athletic build her sport has given her. Her message that “it’s okay for girls to have big arms and wide shoulders” empowers girls to defy traditional standards of femininity and pursue their passions unapologetically. By breaking these stereotypes, Maher inspires a more inclusive and equitable view of what sports can and should be for all genders.

Harrison, Azzarito, and Hodge argue that the bodies-at-risk discourse and the failure to understand the health gap through a social justice lens have important implications. By framing health as a personal responsibility, this discourse overlooks the structural factors—like poverty, discrimination, and access to resources—that significantly influence health outcomes. This individualistic approach reinforces existing inequalities, as it fails to consider the broader social determinants of health and primarily benefits those in privileged positions, leaving marginalized groups behind. Moreover, the commodification of health positions it as a marketable product, with access to better health outcomes often determined by financial means. This only deepens health disparities between those who can afford these resources and those who cannot. The focus on personal responsibility also leads to stigmatization, particularly for marginalized individuals who face greater barriers to achieving societal health standards. Ultimately, by ignoring these systemic issues, this approach prevents meaningful solutions that could address the root causes of health inequalities.

Feminism is an objective term, yet it can hold different meanings for different people. To me, feminism represents the pursuit of equal rights between men and women, as well as the acknowledgment by men that they are not inherently superior to women. The image I chose to represent my understanding of feminism is a man wearing a shirt that says, “This is what a feminist looks like.” This image resonates with me because it emphasizes that feminism is not solely about women advocating for other women. It also involves men standing up for women’s rights and recognizing the importance of gender equality. This broader, inclusive perspective on feminism is essential for fostering a society where equality is valued and actively supported by all genders.

A real-life example that aligns with this context is the “HeForShe” campaign launched by UN Women. This initiative invites men to actively participate in the pursuit of gender equality, recognizing that feminism is not just a women’s movement but a collective effort. In 2014, actor Emma Watson, a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, gave a powerful speech at the United Nations to launch the campaign. She emphasized that feminism is about achieving equality and that men must be allies in this process. She called on men to stand alongside women, challenging stereotypes and societal norms that perpetuate inequality. One notable example of this in practice is Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who publicly identifies as a feminist and consistently advocates for gender equality. He famously stated, “Because it’s 2015,” when asked why he appointed a gender-balanced cabinet. His actions reflect the belief that feminism involves men actively supporting and promoting equality, which is in line with the message conveyed by the image of a man wearing a shirt that says, “This is what a feminist looks like.”