Boys to Men: How Boys Develop Masculinity Through Sports
             As an eighteen year-old student athlete at Skyline College, I am fortunate enough to witness the significant role that sports play in developing more masculinity in young men. Masculinity pertains to the qualities traditionally attributed to the ordinary male, such as boldness, strength and a fearless attitude. Most young men, who participate in sports, are usually influenced to show the expected masculine qualities of other men in today's society. I feel that I have developed this masculinity because of teaching that has come from my coaches, whose message is to reward the aggressive athletes. My coaches and many others alike, set the tone for a child's life, which is to demonstrate masculinity to his fellow teammates and opponents. I believe that developing masculinity through sports is important in building character for a young boy who transitions into manhood. I am sure that many people would disagree, but I believe masculinity is an essential component for a man who enters adulthood and becomes a father and a husband.
             First of all, sports programming often influence children to believe that those who "play with pain" or "give up their body for the team" are often portrayed as heroes (www.childrennow.org/media/boystomen/report-sports.html). In the sport of baseball, a pitcher who pitches even though he has shoulder pain will be portrayed on television as a tough and courageous. Young men are encouraged to "give up their body for the team" because this helps them show their masculinity. Two weeks ago in a baseball game against College of San Mateo, I noticed the coach emphasizing to his hitters that if any pitch would be aimed near their body, it would be best to get hit for the better of the team. This resulted in five hit batters. Observing this from my dugout, I watched as opposing players screamed to their teammates to "take it for the tea...