Women are often viewed as inferior to men in physical aspects. Most people view men as stronger and more athletic than women. Before the late 1800's, majority of women sports didn't have rules and were only focused on physical activity, but were not competitive. The dominant view in the 1800s was that each human had a set amount of energy, with women having the least. Horseback riding and swimming had become fashionable, but were considered dangerous for women to participate in. The modern Olympics first admitted women sports activities in 1900. In the early 1900s softball was created. It was considered a safer way for women to play baseball. As the century progressed, women became regularly active in sports. In 1972, Congress passed Title IX, prohibiting gender discrimination in schools. Because of this, women sports became regular school activities. Research has shown that since Title IX teenage pregnancies are down, and depression among high school girls is less common. In 1974, girls were first admitted to play in little league. A decade later, in 1987, Jackie Joyner-Kersee appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, the first women ever to do so. In 1994, speed skater Bonnie Blair became the most decorated American Olympian ever, man or women. Since then the WNBA, opened, women have appeared in professional sports as referees, and Wimbledon has made the prize money the same amount for both the men and women's tournaments. Women's rights have progressed majorly since the late 1800s. At that time, Henrik Ibsen's, A Doll's House, first appeared in theaters. Nora, the protagonist, was considered radical for leaving her husband and showing a sense of individualism. However, we now know that Nora wasn't radical as evidenced by the progression of women's sports. Nora was only the beginning of a new era.
Here is a short video of a young girl who today dominates her league with her knuckleball:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b5dDtsxsLH0
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