I chose bowling for my cross -gendered leisure activity because it is one of the popular sports in the United States and worldwide. Bowling has been considered predominantly for men more than women because of its origin, the gender role, and societal perceptions. In (Verfurth, 2012), there iwas historical evidence that bowling was the game for men only and women were not allowed to play or eveand were even prohibited to enter the building where men playwere bowling. Those who violated the rule would be punished and arrested. In addition, the other reason that makes bowling predominantly for men is the physical difference between men and women. In general view, bowling is a sport that is masculine and needs physical strength, and it is true that women are not as strong as men to play bowling (Faber, 2012). Also, social inequality that results in a reduction of leisure time and activities for women due to their multiple roles as wives, mothers, and workers compared to men.
Historically, women were not allowed to play bowling until white immigrants brought new traditions and formed new American societies that urbanized and brought changes in technology, social equality, and gender mores.
Since these changes, women could accompany their husbands to the bowling place and were allowed to play only when men did not use the alleys (USBC, n.d.). The remarkable movement of women’s bowling rises through the Women’s International Bowling Congress, found in 1916, by a group of 40 women twhato stood for women’s rights in sport, social activities, leadership, and fun. Through this organization, women could have their own teams and held many bowling events and national tournaments, and attracted more women to participate in this sport. However, there was a decline in women’s bowling due to the increase of sport options when girls were required to do school-associated sport, but not bowling (Verfurth, 2012). In addition, there were several reasons that caused the decline including economic decline, less income, bowling center closures, and a lack of leisure time due to longer working hours.
In comparison to the past, the number of women participating in bowling significantly increases today. Bowling is no longer recreation for men only men but also women. Research shows that 46 percent of all bowlers are girls and women, and many bowling owners found that the majoritiesy of their customers were women (White Hutchison, 2016). Women now consider bowling as their leisure activity as well as indoor sport. tThrough ithis they can gather to have fun with friends, and girls also accompany and play bowling with their parents and their male friends. Although the bowling industry has developed its equipments to better supply the high demand of the bowlers, the recent issue revealed by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) is related to illegal bowling balls. According to World Bowling (2016), Motiv brand bowling balls Jackal and Jackal Carnage, approved in September, 2014 and December, 2015, have been removed from the approved list because the balls do not match the specification of bowling balls under the USBC and World Bowling due to exceeding the maximum differential radius.
From my point of view, the historical changes in bowling participation isare due to the merging of traditional and modern societies and cultures that have changed the gender role perception results winth more women participateing in bowling compared to the past. Also, women have a better understanding about their leisure choices and become more open-minded to join male-dominated sport because they know that women and men have equal rights in the current society and both genders have equal access to sports.