Polls are by definition the recording of votes . They reveal a numerical value given the pattern of opinions related to a group. There are numerous sentiments about women’s sports and sportswomen. Polling can sometimes be misleading. Much of the results depend on how a question is posed and if the participants are honest. The margin of error accounts for uncertainty or variation around measurements. Polls do not predict the future or outcomes. The use just gives an indirect measure of certain probabilities. Presidential campaigns use polling to monitor progress. The problem is that people can be missed in data collection or random factors are not accounted for. Polls as shown in the 2016 and 2024 US presidential election were off. Methods and measurement should be examined closely. What must be understood is sample size and context. Polls do not reflect an entire population. Surveys could be given to a particular group. The small polls below ask questions about women’s sports and sportswomen. The athletic women generates a range of opinions. The views are documented through vote percentages.
Women are competing in sports and are getting viewers on TV and streaming services. A poll shows answers the question who follows women’s sports. A total of 4,500 people voted . A sex divide was present. More men said they do not follow women’s sports ( 3,200), but more men followed compared to women ( 268). Women accounted for the least amount of followers (97). A greater portion of women said they do not follow women’s sports ( 674). The survey takers did express that sports did not interest them in general. Certain users only watch a sport on the condition their nation’s team is active in international sports competition. The responders mentioned the Olympics. It cannot be ignored there is some sexism projected in comments given. Either some expressed that women’s soccer was low quality or that men’s sports are worth watching. This is not to say all the men who said not have a sex prejudice. They just do not like sports or follow them in general.
The perplexing aspect of this is that women are less supportive. More women do not follow women’s sports in this sample. However, more men follow women’s sports. This challenges some accusations of sexism. Women just might not be supportive of other women. If women’s sports are to expand and be successful women fans need to show support. Buying tickets, coming to games, and TV viewership helps. Women’s interest must increase. The sample size is small compared to a population of a country. While it is bigger than the population of Vatican City, it is smaller than the population of Nauru. This poll should not be taken as a complete representation of sports fans or non-fans.
The second poll provides insights to sexual attraction. This did not provide a breakdown of sex, ethnicity, race, class or national origin. What can be assumed is that those who responded were mostly men. Some bisexual and lesbian women also responded. A total of 5,400 votes were cast. Multiple options were offered. Yes and yes very were the first options. Indifferent was a choice. No (770) and no huge turn off were selections. The last choice was no sexual or romantic attraction. More responded yes ( 1,500). The lowest result was no huge turn off (311). The commentary related to huge turn off are similar. A reader should distinguish between sexual attraction and romance. Romance is more related to a loving relationship between two people. Sexual attraction is more about a feeling in a particular moment. A person might be attracted to another, but might not want a relationship.
They either question a woman’s femininity or subtly insult her appearance. There seems to be a bias against women bodybuilders. The more closed mined assert muscular women are adopting masculine traits. To them strength and power are male only. One response called women with muscles gross. Others were a little more respectful saying that just was not their preference. The indifferent vote was 1,400. That was another large part of the vote. Being neutral means they have no strong opinion about the muscular female physique. It appears that more responders to the poll are attracted to muscular women. Preference can vary on how much muscle a person likes. Some articulate that the women’s bodybuilding physique is too much for them. Others embrace women of all levels of muscularity.
Questions for polls must be specific. Otherwise the responses could cause confusion. Using the term very muscular woman is more vague. An athletic female body comes in various shapes and sizes. This is dependent on the sport a woman plays. The question clearly is referring to women bodybuilders, weightlifters, powerlifters, or CrossFit athletes. These are women with the most muscular physiques. Women bodybuilders probably have the most. Again there was a gender based divide. More men found it unattractive (95) than women (25). The men who approved (31) was higher than women’s approval (17). A total 168 votes were cast.
Those who objected did not express it in misogynistic or hostile manner. Although they might not be attracted to it, some respect is shown. Their athletic accomplishments are lauded. Certain comments come from a place of sizeism. Women deemed “too big” are unacceptable. Women are constantly being criticized for being too muscular in sports. Ostracism escalates online. People may be willing to be more vituperative online, because they do not face consequences for it. Being anonymous allows an individual to be more honest about actual sentiments. An individual has a right to their opinion. That does not mean it gives them a right to be rude or disrespectful to others. These polls do show that some are becoming more opened minded. A portion of men do find muscular women attractive. Approval or rejection varies related to sample size.
Thoughts related to muscular women can vary. The tendency is to either support or reject. The last poll defines muscular as the physique of fitness influencer Lean Beef Patty. Her physique is impressive and could win a figure or physique contest. The poll surveyed 5,900 people. The majority of the vote was mostly men who felt indifferent ( 2,200). However, more men viewed muscular women favorably (2,000) compared to women (684). Negative views (429) from men were still higher than women (51). The sex ratio was not balanced. A total of 4,629 males voted. Women’s numbers accounted for 1,245.
The responses did show variation. Some just do not favor muscular physiques. It did not have a sexist double standard rather it was applied to both men and women. Prejudices can be projected through some responses. A portion of people just assume that muscular women are automatically using some performance enhancing drug. The question was not asking about methods used to develop physiques or pharmaceutical aids. Then another odd part about this was that men only looked at women in terms of sexual context. The men discuss attraction or what repulses them. The question was not talking about attraction. The more traditional mode of thought is how women are “supposed be.” The demand that all women look alike and be the same is the epitome of entitlement. Those men who wrote comments never consider the women are doing this for themselves and not to get the approval of men. Most were indifferent, which means at minimum they value women’s personal freedom to develop their physiques. Men could possibly be more favorable, but are not willing to express their support of the muscular female physique. An observer has to be careful when analyzing polls and surveys. Multiple factors can influence answers and outcomes.