By now, most every resident of the United States has seen, heard or read news relating to the controversial topic of gender identity. There’s definitely no shortage of debate on extenuating moral, legal and ethical issues surrounding this particular subject. Even Hollywood has done its best to boost its ratings by hosting shows and giving awards to those who support or participate in “alternative” gender activities. Whether a person actually has a physical operation to change his or her anatomical appearance to further the effort to “identify” as the opposite gender or merely dresses, acts or lives as the opposite gender while retaining the physical anatomy with which he or she was born, one thing is certain: There is usually no lack of controversy, struggle, attention or lifestyle adjustment, regardless of which route is chosen.
Many advocates of such choices claim to support the endeavors in the name of equality. However, incidents such as those that occurred at Alaska state high school track and field competitions during the 2016 season suggest everything may not be so equal, after-all.
The gist of that particular situation was that a male runner (a senior) who chooses to live as a female, was permitted to compete at the state level as though he actually were female. It only takes a very limited amount of scientific research to prove that, generally speaking, human beings born with male DNA are typically stronger and faster than born female. How does that play out when a male is running 200-meter and 100-meter sprints against females at state competitions? You guessed it. He walked away with all-state honors in both races.
This understandably angered many competitors and their families, such as one particular freshman girl who, although, she was the fastest runner at her school, didn’t stand a chance against the senior boy. Interestingly, that boy, who walked away from the female state track and field competition with multiple medals, was reportedly not fast enough to qualify in the boys’ state level races.
Several of my children are high school Cross Country and Track and Field athletes. My daughter had the honor of earning an All Star letter at ICC’s last year in the 200-meter sprint. She also earned a medal at Districts as part of the 1600-meter girls’ relay team. I was at that competition. One of the things that I, and many spectators around me noted was how incredibly, astoundingly and amazingly fast the boys of the same age group were, compared to the girls. There was one girl, a senior, who could give the boys a fair shake, but she is known as a phenomenon in our Tri-state area. Her way to college is probably already paved with multiple full-scholarship offers. And, good for her! She has earned it.
But, what about the other girls who are fast and competition-worthy against all other female runners in their categories? Yes, some freshman girls are able to keep up with senior girls, but is it really fair to expect those same freshman girls to be on par with senior boys? Is it fair that a senior boy, who chooses to live as though his DNA were female might earn a gold medal or receive a scholarship that everyone knows would most likely have gone to whatever girl finished right behind him, had he run with the boys, instead?
Is this true equality?
I say, not.
Writer Bio
Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.
