IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer (band score 8-9)
IELTS Essay # 1466 - Nowadays men’s sports are given far more attention by society
- Details
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 April 2025 17:42
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 6625
IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Nowadays men’s sports are given far more attention by society compared to women’s sports.
What are the reasons for that?
Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer:
In contemporary society, men's sports often dominate the spotlight, receiving significantly more attention than women's sports. This discrepancy in attention raises pertinent questions about the underlying reasons and whether this imbalance is a positive or negative development. This essay will shed some light on this trend and argue that it is a negative development.
One of the primary reasons for the overwhelming focus on men's sports is historical and societal norms. Traditional gender roles and long-standing cultural perceptions have perpetuated the belief that men's athletic competitions are more entertaining, competitive, and lucrative, thereby garnering greater attention from media, sponsors, and audiences. These norms have resulted in extensive coverage, higher investments, and elevated visibility for men's sporting events.
Moreover, the media's role amplifies this discrepancy. Sports coverage by mainstream media outlets predominantly centres on men's sports, emphasizing major men's leagues, tournaments, and events while allocating minimal airtime and coverage to women's sports. For instance, during a televised sports network's prime time slots, coverage mainly revolves around prominent men's leagues like the NBA or NFL, showcasing highlights, analyses, and discussions. In stark contrast, women's leagues such as the WNBA or NWSL receive notably shorter segments or minimal airtime.
This disparity between men's and women's sports is undoubtedly a negative development. It perpetuates gender inequality in the sporting realm and reinforces societal biases, hindering the growth and recognition of female athletes. The skewed attention denies women athletes deserved recognition, equal opportunities, and financial support that men receive, ultimately hindering the advancement and appreciation of women's sporting achievements.
In conclusion, the disproportionate attention given to men's sports over women's sports stems from historical biases, societal norms, and media influence. This lopsided focus represents a negative development, perpetuating gender inequality in sports and depriving female athletes of the recognition and support they rightfully deserve. Efforts should be made to rectify this imbalance and promote gender equality in the realm of sports.
Idea Generation for this IELTS Essay:
Essay question:
Nowadays men’s sports are given far more attention by society compared to women’s sports.
What are the reasons for that?
Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Essay type:
Double Question Essay (Reason + Positive or Negative Development).
The main question of this essay:
A) Why do men's sports receive more attention than women's sports?
B) Is this gender disparity in sports coverage a positive or negative trend?
Reasons why men's sports receive more attention than women's sports:
1. Historical dominance of male sports:
Men’s sports have traditionally been more visible due to their earlier institutionalization and commercial success. Over decades, male athletes and teams have built massive fan bases, while female sports were often underfunded and underrepresented. This historical imbalance created a self-sustaining cycle of popularity and coverage. For instance, men's football leagues like the English Premier League have global audiences and billion-dollar broadcasting deals, unlike most women’s leagues.
2. Greater media investment in men’s sports:
Media companies and advertisers often prioritise men’s sports because they draw higher viewership and advertising revenue. As a result, women’s sports receive less airtime, which contributes to the lack of public interest. This unequal coverage discourages future investment and limits role models for aspiring female athletes. For example, prime-time TV slots are dominated by male sports events, while women's tournaments are often sidelined.
3. Gender stereotypes and societal expectations:
Cultural norms have long suggested that men are naturally more athletic or competitive, leading to greater societal appreciation for their performance. These stereotypes marginalise women’s achievements in sports and discourage equal enthusiasm. Such biases are often internalised, even by audiences themselves. For example, many still wrongly perceive women’s games as less intense or entertaining than men's.
4. Sponsorship and commercialisation inequality:
Sponsorship deals and merchandise sales are heavily skewed toward male athletes, making men’s sports more commercially attractive. This disparity fuels further media focus and public attention, widening the exposure gap. Companies invest where returns are highest, which often excludes women’s sports from mainstream appeal. For instance, global brands sponsor male footballers with multimillion-dollar deals, while many female athletes struggle to find endorsements.
5. Limited access to facilities and funding:
In many countries, women’s teams receive significantly less funding and access to professional training facilities. This affects their performance levels, public image, and competitiveness, leading to a perception that women’s sports are of lower quality. Without equal resources, it is difficult to build a strong fan base. For example, grassroots programs for girls are far fewer than for boys in many regions.
Why this is a negative development:
1. It promotes gender inequality:
The imbalance in attention reinforces the notion that men’s achievements are more valuable than women’s, which perpetuates broader gender inequality in society. It discourages girls from participating in sports and undervalues female athleticism. This disparity limits progress toward equality. For example, unequal pay in sports like football reflects how female athletes are undervalued despite equal commitment and talent.
2. Missed opportunities to inspire the next generation:
Limited coverage of women’s sports reduces the visibility of female role models, which could otherwise motivate young girls to pursue athletic careers. Representation plays a crucial role in shaping aspirations and ambitions. A more balanced media approach would help normalise women’s participation in competitive sports. For example, when female Olympians are celebrated publicly, more girls enrol in local training programmes.
3. It limits the growth and commercial potential of women’s sports:
Without adequate exposure and investment, women’s sports remain underdeveloped, both in quality and profitability. A balanced approach would diversify revenue streams and elevate the standard of competition. This disparity results in a missed opportunity for sports organisations and economies alike. For instance, the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has shown that, with visibility, female tournaments can attract massive audiences.
4. It perpetuates outdated social values:
Overemphasis on men’s sports reflects traditional views that men are more suited for competitive and physical pursuits. Such thinking undermines societal efforts toward equality and inclusion. Recognising women’s achievements equally would help challenge these outdated views. For example, giving equal media coverage to women’s athletics during international events promotes progressive social norms.
5. Psychological impact on female athletes:
Feeling overlooked and undervalued can impact the confidence and motivation of female athletes. Constant comparisons to male counterparts create pressure and emotional stress. Equal recognition would provide encouragement and fairness. For example, many female athletes have voiced frustration over lack of support, which contributes to higher dropout rates in competitive sports.
Why this could be a positive development:
1. Higher commercial returns from male sports:
Men’s sports currently attract larger audiences, higher ticket sales, and greater merchandise revenue. Prioritising them helps generate the funds that sustain many sporting organisations. These profits can sometimes be reinvested into improving infrastructure for all athletes. For instance, the revenue from popular men’s football leagues helps fund grassroots development programs in multiple countries.
2. Stronger competitive legacy and fan culture:
Men’s sports often have longer-established leagues and tournaments with deep-rooted rivalries and fan bases. This historical appeal creates emotional connections and loyalty among viewers. Celebrating this tradition helps maintain the continuity and excitement of global sports. For example, events like the UEFA Champions League have decades of history, attracting loyal viewership from every continent.
3. Promotes investment and innovation in sports:
With more attention on men’s sports, there is higher investment in technology, analytics, and athlete development. These innovations can elevate sports science and coaching methods across the industry. Eventually, such advancements can benefit both male and female athletes. For example, advanced performance-tracking technology introduced in men’s leagues is now being adopted in women's teams to improve training outcomes.
Report