Beauty and the Beast: Perception of Beauty for the Female Athlete

Abstract

This chapter is a discussion and reflection of how beauty is perceived through the lens of four different athletes over four different decades. Two basketball players, a gymnast and a skater, reflect on the language of their sport and how beauty is perceived and manipulated through language and coaching techniques. The experiences affect athletes over a lifetime, both positively and negatively.

Do Individuals with Eating Disorders See Their Own External and/or Internal Beauty?

“…Coaches can impact their athletes' view of their bodies and either inadvertently or on purpose push athletes towards negative weight control behaviors. The authors in [36] describe not only comments made to them that indicated the views and assessments of their bodies by coaches and those in power but also the objectification by others. I have worked with many young women who were encouraged to lose weight so they could be more competitive, could run faster, would look better, etc.…”