During my research, I found that my underlying assumptions about my topic of women in sports was reinforced. Specifically my topic of women in soccer/football and from researching I was able to see that discrimination, sexism, racism, etc are at an even higher peak than what I thought before. Race, gender, sexual orientation all combine to make up an intersectional spin wheel that most women would fall into. From early on in a girl’s life, race and social class background combine to account for different experiences in socializing them into soccer. Homosexual women suffer from heterosexism which means “discrimination or prejudice against gay people on the assumption that heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation,” women are more likely to come out than men in sports and this leads to people who are ignorant, who boycott the sport based on sexual orientation. Women are paid less although they reacher higher milestones than their male counterparts such as the U.S. women’ soccer team winning the World Cup more recently than the men’s. Women of color experience both racism and sexism. Although they do speak out and enforce legal action against their superiors, they are never taken seriously and their attempts are met with backlash. Even when more well respected male athletes speak up for the women and support the cause, they are only met with temporary change. It does not help when broadcasters make it difficult to watch games or don’t even show them at all. More access to games and better education of women in sport would control the ignorance of many who do not believe the sport is worth time and putting resources into. Also social media has not changed the stigma of women in sports. Individuals are still met with comments such as “go back to the kitchen” which set up back generations when it comes to empowering women to stray away from stereotypical societal norms. Gender roles in sport are the same as in everyday life, they are socially constructed and culturally specific behavior and appearance expectations imposed on women (femininity) and men (masculinity). Men go to work (play the game) while women are supposed to stay home (watch the game and not participate in any way). Although even when watching a game, women’s opinions are not valued. Women in soccer are leading themselves through an internationally recognized, male dominated sport. Girls and women who excel in football are threats to a gender system that insists on unequal social constructions of womanhood and manhood. Men can not have women being represented better than them. I would say that my working thesis would be along the lines of: women in soccer are met with challenges while physically playing on the pitch, however it is the events that take place off the field that prove to more detrimental to them physically and mentally. The effects of social media and constant belittling have made the lives of so many women, who genuinely love the sport, much harder. All they ask for is quality in pay, resources, etc and recognition for the hard work they continue to do despite the challenges.