Should biological males compete in women’s sports?
This argumentative essay, suitable for a high school sports subject and formatted in MLA citation style, tackles highly debated questions: allowing biological males to compete in women's sports and develops an argumentative text in more detail. Three main arguments can be presented to justify banning biological males from competing in women's sports: there are significant physiological discrepancies creating advantages, the problem of the security of female athletes in some contact sports, and probably fewer opportunities for cisgender female athletes. This essay example also discusses the other side of the argument when it points out that trans inclusion is important because it is community and acceptance that the transgender athlete needs. Finally, in this argumentative essay, our academic writer shows that fairness versus inclusivity represents a very cautious balancing act in what is essentially the evolving face of women's sports. In this case, an argumentative essay like this allows a discussion on complex social issues for informed discussions and critical thinking.
November 5, 2024
* The sample essays are for browsing purposes only and are not to be submitted as original work to avoid issues with plagiarism.
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Student’s Name
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Should Biological Males Compete in Women’s Sports?
Introduction
One of the most polarizing questions facing the athletic, scientific, and policy communities is
the extent to which biological males should be allowed to compete in women's sports. Some
believe that transwomen - persons born as biological males but who identify as female-should
enjoy equal opportunity to participate in athletics. Others, however, hold that biological
handicaps accorded to women, compared to transwomen, undermine fairness in women's
sports. This essay will present three points in support of keeping women’s sports exclusive to
biological females, along with one counterpoint that argues for inclusion.
One of the primary arguments for restricting women’s sports to biological females is
the significant physiological differences between males and females, which create disparities
in strength, endurance, and performance. According to research, biological males generally
possess a greater muscle mass, higher bone density, and cardiovascular advantages such as
larger lung capacity and a higher concentration of hemoglobin, which enhances oxygen
transport (NPR). These factors collectively boost stamina and endurance, allowing male
athletes to excel in high-intensity sports. Even with hormone therapy, transwomen retain
many of these advantages (NPR). Primarily, while testosterone suppression reduces some
physical advantages, transwomen maintain higher muscle mass and strength than their
cisgender female counterparts, even after three years of hormone therapy (Gortler).
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Therefore, allowing biological males to compete against biological females may undermine
the physical leveling intended by gender-segregated sports.
Another important consideration is the safety of female athletes. In sports that involve
direct physical contact, differences in strength and speed between biological males and
females can lead to heightened risks of injury for female athletes. Primarily, contact sports
could pose safety risks when transwomen, who retain male strength attributes, compete
against biological women (NPR). For example, in sports like mixed martial arts, rugby, and
wrestling, even minor physical advantages can have significant consequences in terms of
injury risk. Consequently, prioritizing the safety of female athletes lends weight to the
argument for preserving women’s sports as a space solely for biological females (NPR).
Studies show that injuries in contact sports are already more common among female athletes,
and the potential for more severe injuries increases with competitors who have retained male
physiology (Gortler). When such disparities in muscle mass and bone density are factored in,
even well-regulated hormone therapy cannot fully equalize physical abilities, heightening the
need for sex-specific categories to ensure fair and safe competition.
Additionally, the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports could reduce
opportunities and achievements for cisgender female athletes. Women’s sports were initially
created to provide female athletes with a platform for competition and recognition without
the biological advantages typically seen in male athletes. Cases like that of Lia Thomas, a
transwoman who broke records in women’s swimming, underscore how trans inclusion may
lead to biological males outperforming females, potentially undermining the spirit of fair
competition (Gortler). If biological males regularly secure top positions and records in
women’s sports, cisgender female athletes may lose out on awards, scholarships, and career
opportunities, thereby limiting the representation and acknowledgment of women’s athletic
achievements. This shift also runs the risk of developing into a long-term disparity whereby
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fewer women will engage in competitive sport, further discouraged by the lack of
opportunities and presence (NPR). The potential for women's leagues to preserve the prospect
of success and to represent one's gender within sport is thus presumed to be undermined,
entrenching rather than remedying gender inequities.
On the other hand, despite these concerns, supporters of trans inclusion in women’s
sports argue that excluding transwomen could lead to discrimination and marginalization,
particularly for young transgender athletes seeking acceptance and community. Individuals
who support this argument contend that sports should promote inclusivity and that young
trans athletes benefit from the social and psychological support that comes with participation
in gender-aligned sports teams (Safer). This perspective is rooted in the idea that sports are
not only competitive but also serve as an essential space for socialization and personal
growth. Some advocates propose additional categories or modified rules to allow transwomen
to participate in a way that fosters inclusion while maintaining fairness in competition
(Safer). However, this solution would require significant rethinking and restructuring of the
current sports framework, which has yet to be widely adopted (NPR). In the absence of a
well-framed and largely accepted integrating approach, the call for inclusivity may end up
drowning the vital need for fair competition and the protection of rights of the female athletes
of cisgender status.
In conclusion, the debate over the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports
involves balancing fairness, safety, and inclusivity. The physiological advantages retained by
biological males, even with hormone therapy, suggest that their inclusion could compromise
fair competition and safety in women’s sports. Additionally, preserving women’s sports for
biological females ensures equitable opportunities and recognition for cisgender female
athletes. However, the argument for trans inclusion highlights the need to consider the
well-being and sense of belonging for transgender athletes. As society seeks to resolve this
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complex issue, careful consideration of both fairness and inclusivity will be crucial in shaping
the future of women’s sports.
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Works Cited
Gortler, David. “Allowing Biological Males in Women’s Sports Is Scientifically Unsound.”
Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2022,
www.newsweek.com/allowing-biological-males-womens-sports-scientifically-unsoun
d-opinion-1748900.
NPR. “Arguments That Trans Athletes Have an Unfair Advantage Lack Evidence to
Support.” NPR, NPR, 9 Apr. 2023,
www.npr.org/2023/04/09/1168858094/arguments-that-trans-athletes-have-an-unfair-a
dvantage-lacks-evidence-to-support.
Safer, Joshua D. “Fairness for Transgender People in Sport.” Journal of the Endocrine
Society, vol. 6, no. 5, 17 Mar. 2022,
academic.oup.com/jes/article/6/5/bvac035/6550171,
https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvac035.
November 5, 2024
24/7 custom essay writing by real academic writers
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Academic level:
High school
Type of paper:
Argumentative essay
Discipline:
Sports
Citation:
MLA
Pages:
3 (839 words)
* The sample essays are for browsing purposes only and are not to be submitted as original work to avoid issues with plagiarism.
