Man vs. woman.\u00a0 Woman vs. man.<\/p>\n
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Now that the madness of college basketball has concluded (at least until the fanaticism of college football begins),<\/em> I am reminded of a lingering issue, as highlighted again by the major sports\u2019 media last week.\u00a0 For the record, this blog is not about sports.\u00a0 Hence, my respected non-sports fans, please keep reading.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A growing trend in women\u2019s basketball \u2014 both college and professional \u2014 is for teams to practice against men.\u00a0 This trend started several years ago, and the exercise has evolved to a degree in which many teams actually host tryouts for the male practice squads.\u00a0 According to an ESPN survey of last year\u2019s top 25 teams, 92% of the women\u2019s teams use male practice players at least some of the time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why?\u00a0 According to Kelsey Bone, center for last year\u2019s ladies of Texas A&M, the 2011 champions, \u201cWhen we\u2019re successful in practice against guys, it helps us and gives us confidence going into the games.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Or according to Bones\u2019 teammate, guard Sydney Carter, \u201cI think it\u2019s made me a lot smarter; it\u2019s definitely made me quicker.\u00a0 They give me the chance to learn the game at a different level, and so when I get to the women\u2019s game and I\u2019m playing against women, I feel like I\u2019m a step ahead all the time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But as perhaps some imagined, regardless of whether or not it gives the women confidence or makes them smarter and\/or quicker, some are vehemently protesting the practice and asking the NCAA to eliminate the exercise.\u00a0 The NCAA Committee on Women\u2019s Athletics says this \u201cviolates the spirit of gender equity and Title IX\u201d (Title IX is the legislation which requires that gender never be cause for exclusion from education programs receiving federal financial assistance; granted, athletics were never mentioned in the original statute). \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Title IX aspect of the opposition has ample validity.\u00a0 Some are concerned that by utilizing men, less female scholarships are offered because not as many players are needed on the team for practice purposes; hence, fewer female scholarships are offered.\u00a0 The question, though, is the validity regarding \u201cgender equity.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gender equity.\u00a0 Man vs. woman.\u00a0 Woman vs. man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Equity.\u00a0 Fairness.\u00a0 Ah, a current, populist buzz word.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Even though most all involved admit that the use of male athletes makes practice more competitive and challenges the women\u2019s teams in an unprecedented way, many still camp on the issue of fairness.\u00a0 It\u2019s not fair to use men.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Friends, when we utilize the concept of \u201cfairness\u201d to frame demographic differences \u2014 instead of embracing, celebrating, learning and growing <\/em><\/strong>\u2014 <\/em><\/strong>my sense is that we miss the available wisdom.\u00a0 While all men were created equal, the Declaration\u2019s prudent proclamation should not be equated with God creating us male and female, each beautifully distinct.\u00a0 Equal rights does not equate to equal gifting nor ability.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thus, we would be a healthier, more discerning culture if we recognized that not all people are the same.\u00a0 Men and women do things differently.\u00a0 While no stereotype is 100% full-proof, there are certain activities that men as a whole and women as a whole do typically better or worse.\u00a0 After all, as best as I can tell, only 6 women have ever<\/em><\/strong> dunked in a college or professional game.\u00a0 Men and women are different.\u00a0 In more than just basketball.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The point of this blog is not about dunking nor about sports.\u00a0 My desire instead is to erase the notion that the differences between genders is something to be \u201cbattled.\u201d\u00a0 If we celebrated our differences instead of fighting their existence, we would be wiser.\u00a0 There would be fewer \u201cchips on shoulders\u201d and less division in society.\u00a0 My desire is to eliminate the embracing of division.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We certainly are a fickle society… embracing division when it serves us, but claiming \u201cfairness\u201d when we\u2019re uncomfortable.\u00a0 There need not be a battle of any sexes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Regardless of the court.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Respectfully,<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n Man vs. woman.\u00a0 Woman vs. man. Now that the madness of college basketball has concluded (at least until the fanaticism of college football begins), I am reminded of a lingering issue, as highlighted again by the major sports\u2019 media last week.\u00a0 For the record, this blog is not about sports.\u00a0 Hence, my respected non-sports … <\/p>\n