“WAGs” is the acronym and collective term for the wives and girlfriends of sportsmen. Sure, these women have an important role in the private lives of our most admired sportsmen. But is it really necessary for them to be showcased in the media under this sexist and offensive term?
Whether it was simply a case of lazy journalism – god knows how long it takes to type out ‘wives and girlfriends of sportsmen’ – or a deliberate attempt to insult and degrade these women, the media is now obsessed with the term “WAGs.”
Born out of the British tabloids during the 2006 FIFA World Cup it has quickly become a part of the sporting lexicon around the world. The women behind the biggest stars of Rugby League, Union, Aussie Rules, Cricket, Football, Motor Sports, whether they want it or not, get tagged as a “WAG.”
Not only does it demean women by subjecting the wives and girlfriends to public scrutiny based exclusively on looks, but the acronym not-so-subtly implies a link between women and dogs, happily wagging their tails at their owner’s (player’s) side.
The presentation of these women is almost always in a mocking fashion and encourages persisting stereotypes about females.
These “WAGs” are hardly ever recognised for anything but their sexual attributes, or other superficial qualities (fashion, hair, etc) with their personality, achievements, careers and ideas, completely ignored.
They are presented as trophies, and nothing more.
Despite the United Kingdom’s Equalities and Human Rights Commission officially criticizing the term as “offensive” it still consistently finds its way into major media content.
But not just in the UK.
Australian media outlets are just as quick to put “WAGs” in the headlines.
Ninemsn still names a “WAG of the Week”, the Courier Mail and Herald Sun have both made an image gallery of “Sports Sexiest WAGS”, Triple M frequently list the “World’s Hottest WAGs” on their website, and less surprisingly, but no less offensively, FHM, Zoo and other magazines of the same persuasion all contain regular features on “WAGs.”
On the web, I even found a site solely dedicated to comparing the appearance of “WAGs” from around the world.
The interest in the women behind famous and influential men is nothing new. But the way the sporting world have exploited it, is totally unacceptable. They’ve turned what used to be harmless curiosity of “the woman behind the man,” into total smut.
It’s difficult to escape, too. When navigating a sports website, on television, in a magazine, a newspaper, it’s there.
It carries on society’s need to categorise women in terms that men will never have imposed on them.
When I fill out an official form, I always have to indicate whether I am, “Miss, Mrs, or Ms,” while men, no matter what their marital history is, will always be “Mr.”
Many Australian sports are making a conscious effort to breach the onslaught of negative stereotyping imposed on the women associated with these professional male athletes.
On Tuesday night a tearful Petero Civoniceva was named the 2011 Women in League Favourite Son. He thanked his wife and his mother, for their sacrifices that led to his success in the rugby league.
Recently, Women’s Week in the AFL similarly tried to highlight the positive contribution of women to the sport.
However, I did cringe when a question sent out on the Gold Coast Suns Twitter account read,
“It’s Womens Week in the @AFL! We are celebrating the women of the AFL all week. Ladies we want to know why you love AFL?”
As if women would answer any differently to men on what they like about the sport! What answer did they expect?!
Airing soon on FOX8 will be a documentary into the lives of Australian “WAGs,” in a series called “WAG Nation.”
The show will feature Anthony Minichiello’s fiancé, shoe designer Terry Biviano, and Jude Bolton’s event planning wife Lynette, as well as a host of other partners of professional sportsmen.
From all reports it appears the show will be less about their bikini bodies and more about “the highs and lows of supporting a professional sporting career and the daily pressures of maintaining a successful relationship, to the stress of managing their own careers, not to mention the demands of a hectic social life.”
It sounds great.
But I still take issue with the inflammatory use of the term “WAG.” Maybe we’ve turned a corner, and now women are owning this offensive acronym?
Either way, the public are getting mixed messages when it comes to women and their role in professional male sport. Yes there are some fantastic programs happening, but the world-wide acceptance of “WAG” as a legitimate and respectable term for the partners of sportsmen, is not helping change attitudes towards women.
For as long as “WAGs” is used by major media outlets, there is still a long way to go before you can say women have been completely accepted and appreciated for their role in professional male sport.
Jimbo Jones
Guest
Memo to Melanie Dinjaski: if you don't like the term WAG's being used in the media, just don't watch the media or sue those that use it. Your article is exactly what is wrong with this country - the minority want things their own way. The majority couldn't give a rats - if they do, they just turn it off. How hard is that? Again, how HARD is that? Instead, you are taking up valuable bandwidth with your garbage.
Brenton B
Guest
This is typical bait with feminist overtones. Top remark @Football United. Since we're on the topic, the all so common political correctness is going to be torn to shreds in Australia soon because everyone is so sick it. Melanie if you can convince the WAG's to remove themselves (and the now self termed abbreviation) from the limelight they are enjoying, alongside the partner they are rightfully supporting, you may just find the media may choose to lessen the WAG stories. Until such a time, you should check yourself. Some of your comments seem to almost attack these WAG's from your "womans perspective", it comes across supercilious. The "implies a link between women and dogs" remark is untrue of any respectful Australian. I think your PC dial is running on overtime, its simply an abbreviation. There is nothing wrong with good looking people in and around sport.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Lynette Waugh, Sue Porter, and Jane McGrath were never labelled as WAGs.
Tortion
Guest
The problem with all this is that you can call them whatever you want but at the end of the day whatever acronym you use is going to develop the same connotations. Perhaps they should really just stay in the background out of view. Ah but you can't build a profile that way can you.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Melanie says: "These “WAGs” are hardly ever recognised for anything but their sexual attributes..." Geez, that's a bit rough! What about Becky Judd! Not only does she do some modelling, but she's actually a professional speech therapist (or something similar). She is also about to add to the nation's population, and give Carlton a future father-son selection (or potential WAG, one or the other). What about Nathen Bracken's wife? She's ripping up the boards on Dancing with the Stars. It's murder on the dancefloor!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Ah Viscount - you've done it again!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Parading themselves like peacocks??
Seano
Guest
I agree it's degrading that these ladies are judged on make up hair ect, couldn't they change that though by not wearing make up and prancing about, my wife doesn't wear any make up an when people ask me why o simply reply "coz she's not ugly" -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Al from ctown
Guest
Jokerman, are you for real? Lol my god! Whens the op? The article wasn't half as involved as the absolute tripe you just rolled out! The only people that have issues with womens roles and equality are feminists and men that think they can get something by pretending to be a feminist! Lol my wife has read all this and is laughing her head off mainly at your comments! And guess what? She is actually female and like it or not has the majority female point of view that all these issues brought up are solely thru people/ women purely and simply jealous of what others have... And I tend to agree... I'm yet to hear a WAG complain that she is called a WAG purely because she couldn't care less... She has the star partner and the looks with cash to boot... It's only the have nots who love to complain that it's sexist etc... Wonder why... Good luck with the op jokerwoman.. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
jokerman
Guest
Tortion...it’s about evolving. Evolving to the next level. On one prospective a "WAG" is just a name, referring to the name of a sportsman’s partner. As a female, Melanie sees the connotations, and representations of this, and chooses to talk about it. It's the general sense that woman are less, even if it’s unconsciously, that bugs woman. Having a sportsman with his title WAG partner implies this. The subject is not about being PC, if anything it is about open mindedness, open heart. Melanie has every right to try and open up the female prospective. A female quality is to listen and receive...and that is what is lacking here, as opposed to seeing her view, you dam it, and when there is 95% males on this site, there should be more support and understanding, and an openness to how she feels on a particular subject.
Tortion
Guest
No you are getting the version of equality that has infected tennis. The winners at wimbledon next week will be paid the same amount despite the fact the women will do less work (fewer sets) and attract fewer patrons and tv viewers than the men. That's the new equality and it isn't just limited to tennis.
Tortion
Guest
The fear here isn't the changing role of women in society but the utter rubbish we have to put up with to protect petty sensitivities. This kind of pettiness gets society nowhere.
Westius
Guest
Interesting stuff Melanie - I largely agree and I'm surprised by the negative reactions here. Online galleries of world's hottest WAGs really have no place on serious sports pages like foxsports or ninemsn. As for the term itself being sexist, I'm not sure but I like Brett's comment that like the southern cross tattoo, nowadays it certainly implies something more than it used to. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
jokerman
Guest
I'm on your side Melanie! The lack of support on your article shows me the issue is real. To bring this issue up, shows courage on your part, and with courage, you need to continue with the strength and not to take on another’s opinion, especially a red neck one! It‘s a changing time in this world. In the last 10 years there has been a lot of female energy coming through. For so long it has been male dominant, and out of balance. Centuries ago, in certain areas, was it the Celtics? Woman were praised and adored, for their goddess qualities. Though later they have been supressed. Supressed out of fear and from the ego, the male ego. The WAGS remain in a past time in my eyes. A rather 80/90's period where men truly felt they were superior. Truth is woman are more in tune with the cycles and rhythms of life. More in touch with their intuition, and for so long the ego in men, have countered this, with suppression. The world needs this new feminine energy that is coming in, and as it comes through, it touches each field. The response in this forum is out of fear and also being stuck in the old. I like your article…a lot! You show depth and intelligents, and I always like your female slant on sport, as it has deeper levels, and the world needs this.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
So will Boyfriends and Husbands of female sport stars be referred to as BAHs? What if they are gay? Significant Others and Partners? SOPs? Sorry, I can't help but have fun with this. (serious face) The problem is far wider than sport, which is one of the most sexist areas around, being very much a boys club. As you say, the media is the major culprit in running with it. Because Eddie McGuire and Sam Newman, or Fatty Vautin and Mario Fenech, present such great examples ..... bwahahahaha!!!
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
I seem to recall forms many years ago allowing for Master, i.e. young boy. Clearly ageist .....
JohnB
Guest
My guess is some wives and girlfriends are definitely WAGs and any adverse connotations are not unreasonable (as with the original inspirations for the term), while most could legitimately object to the label. On a different note, pretty much every one of the sports clubs I've been involved with has had a wives or girlfriends policy, and has actively discouraged members from bringing both along.
Redb
Roar Guru
Given many ladies choose the opportunity to be a WAG and relish the spotlight I dont thinks its bad thing. Surely the photo galleries in various online newspapers would be much poorer without the WAG. i dont see Rebecca Twigley complaining about being a WAG. In fact she has propelled herself to fashion stardom in the process due to that revealing red dress whilst hanging off the arm of Chris Judd. I think footballers are being exploited :)
B-Rock
Roar Guru
There are many issues in modern society which are inherently sexist or degrading to women - In the grand scheme of things this is a non-issue. I dont agree with stereotyping anyone but surely the behaviour of some partners of professional athletes (PoPA) - surely this is acceptable - has brought this on themselves. If you pose for FHM or other similar publications (as Im sure several have) you can hardly then expect the press and public to not focus on your physical appearance. In truth, many young women see being a PoPA as an opportunity to build their profile and eventually be rich and famous in their own right. Im sure many PoPAs are not in the Lara Bingle mould but the reality of the matter is that the attention seeking behaviour of a selection of the PoPA community is clouding public opinion. Also - likening the term WAGs to that of a dog is a long bow to draw - something I have never thought of and am not sure if it is a realistic connontation. Any hidden meanings in PoPAs? If so, it is completely unintentional
Chris
Guest
"Not only does it demean women by subjecting the wives and girlfriends to public scrutiny based exclusively on looks, but the acronym not-so-subtly implies a link between women and dogs, happily wagging their tails at their owner’s (player’s) side." If it's so demeaning why do the WAGs themselves use it? And until you pointed it out I hadn't made the connection between women and dogs. Maybe you're just desperate to cause some controversy where there isn't any?