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FetalAttraction
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Sequins and Manhood in the USA
We've all heard various anecdotes when it comes to men and skating in America, in regards to how it's perceived in terms of manliness. For instance, Scott Hamilton opted to wear a simple ski suit for his Olympics program because he didn't want to seem less than manly. There was that boy who got made fun of by his classmates for figure skating, only to have some famous skater visit him and cheer him up (I'm fuzzy on the names of that one). Not to mention all the figure skating jokes you're liable to come across in mass media.
Now, please keep this in mind. I'm not asking you to defend the merits of male figure skating. You and I, being the true skating fans that we are, both know there's a lot more to skating than just banal gender typing. What I really want to know is what the general perception of male skaters in America is, and how it impacts the field. Does it discourage boys from skating? Does it discourage parents from sponsoring their male offsprings forays into skating? Does it take away sponsorship and other incentives? Does it skew the media coverage?
Also, I know many of you are skaters yourselves, and/or parents of skaters. Do you guys have any particular stories or insight on this topic? For the less personally involved, but still devoted fans out there, what do your peers say about male skaters?
We've all heard various anecdotes when it comes to men and skating in America, in regards to how it's perceived in terms of manliness. For instance, Scott Hamilton opted to wear a simple ski suit for his Olympics program because he didn't want to seem less than manly. There was that boy who got made fun of by his classmates for figure skating, only to have some famous skater visit him and cheer him up (I'm fuzzy on the names of that one). Not to mention all the figure skating jokes you're liable to come across in mass media.
Now, please keep this in mind. I'm not asking you to defend the merits of male figure skating. You and I, being the true skating fans that we are, both know there's a lot more to skating than just banal gender typing. What I really want to know is what the general perception of male skaters in America is, and how it impacts the field. Does it discourage boys from skating? Does it discourage parents from sponsoring their male offsprings forays into skating? Does it take away sponsorship and other incentives? Does it skew the media coverage?
Also, I know many of you are skaters yourselves, and/or parents of skaters. Do you guys have any particular stories or insight on this topic? For the less personally involved, but still devoted fans out there, what do your peers say about male skaters?