Can you tell someone’s age based on the opinions they hold? We found out.
When it comes to certain topics, the generation gap seems insurmountable – finding a 20-something and a 50-something with the same taste in music is like finding a unicorn. But how about a contentious topic like transgender athletes, for example? We tested it out – can you tell the age of these women based on the opinions they hold on this controversial issue?
THE TOPIC
When transgender cyclist Rachel McKinnon won a gold medal at the 2018 UCI Masters Track Cycling
Championships for the 200-metre sprint in the women’s 35-44 age bracket, it sparked outrage and debate among both competitors and spectators about her
‘unfair advantage’ as a ‘biological male’ competitor.
The Canadian athlete fought back, stating that all her medical records indicate that she’s female and that the idea that all men are stronger than women is ‘nothing more than a stereotype’. ‘By preventing transwomen from competing or requiring them to take medication, you are denying them their human rights,’ she said.
Former British Masters Champion Victoria Hood holds a different view. ‘The science is clear: it tells us that transwomen have an advantage,’ the cyclist told the BBC. In effect, she says, ‘it is excluding women and girls from their own category… it is a human right to participate in sport. I don’t think it’s a human right to identify into whichever category you choose’.
We asked women of different generations to weigh in on the subject, focusing on some of the potential differences (and similarities) in the way they might view social issues. And we kept it all anonymous so they could speak freely. Can you pick out the 20-somethings from their 50-something counterparts?
Sarah*
‘I believe people get to determine their own gender; we’re incredibly lucky to live in a time when options are available and people aren’t forced to live with gender dysphoria and the awful psychological impact of that. People are freaked out by this because they imagine that there are going to be a whole lot of men pretending that they want to be women in order to become champions in women’s sport.
‘Rachel is just one example of a transgender person competing in women’s sports and winning. If there were only transgender people winning in women’s sports, I might have a different take on it.
‘If people are claiming that biology, genetics and hormones have an effect on competitive performance, I’d want to see research that shows that transgender women [who have transitioned from being men] are demonstrably stronger and better – in all ways – than cisgendered [a term for people whose gender identity corresponds with their birth sex] women.
‘Life is too short for us to be policing the lives of others.’
Katherine*
Is it fair to Rachel? Yes, definitely! She has the equal opportunity to compete with other women. Is it fair to her competitors? I’m not so sure. It’s hard to define the advantage gained from years of testosterone, going through puberty and having a lower body fat percentage [which can make a huge difference in cycling]
‘If there were only transgender people winning in women’s sports, I might have a different take on it.’ SARAH*
despite taking oestrogen and hormone suppressants.
‘I recognise that judging from the sidelines is easier because it doesn’t affect me directly. The world needs to be more inclusive, so why shouldn’t sport be? But if I were racing, I’m not sure how I’d feel.
‘I think the real issue lies with sports governing bodies. Sport tends to fit people into clear categories, but the world doesn’t fit into categories any longer. People fall within a spectrum now, and sport will have to change to accommodate that.’
Zuleigha*
‘I don’t have a clearly defined opinion on this; I don’t feel I’m well informed on the subject. I know there’s been a lot of debate, and if I had to give my opinion with the little knowledge I have, I’d say that tests should be conducted to determine whether the athlete has a definite advantage over the biologically female competitors. I do, however, completely understand that some women feel cheated because men are physically stronger.
‘Young people are more aware and socially objective; millennials are fiercely defending Rachel McKinnon as a transgender athlete. I like to think I can be objective, but I am also very fact-driven, so I believe that it doesn’t really matter how we feel about certain things – facts are facts. If it is scientifically proven that McKinnon had the upper hand, I would go with that.’
Anna*
‘I don’t think it’s fair that McKinnon received the title, as she has a clear physical advantage over competitors.
‘People seem to feel that you have the right to determine sexual orientation, lifestyle and selfexpression; I have a more traditional approach to life. Morals and values have changed, and that results in blurred lines that affect society.
‘My generation understands that there are always consequences. It’s easy to say and do things now, but what about the repercussions in the future? That said, we can all learn from one another. Changed mindsets can also be good. There’s no guarantee that we would walk away with a changed perspective, but it’s important to try.’
Tercia*
‘Generally speaking, people are not biologically equal. Some have a natural physical advantage: someone with a smaller build may be better suited to becoming a gymnast or a jockey, while a really tall person might fare better in basketball.
‘Typically, society doesn’t consider it unfair for people to use their physical build to their advantage in sports – you never hear anyone complaining that gymnast Simone Biles’s small stature puts her taller competitors at an unfair disadvantage. Yet as soon as the topic of transgender women in sport comes up, a huge fuss is made.
‘Some of McKinnon’s competitors complained that her height and weight gave her a distinct advantage over them, yet no concerns have been raised about fellow cisgender competitors with similar height/ weight profiles. Transgender women in sport are also subject to additional rules that require them to undergo testosterone submission therapy to reduce muscle mass and shift their physiology away from the average male’s. Since biological equality is impossible to attain, I believe it is an act of discrimination to exclude someone from sport due to their physical build.’
Elethu*
‘It’s completely fair that Rachel McKinnon won. It’s a very complex debate, but she followed the rules to make her eligible to compete, and she worked and trained hard to get to where she is. From what I’ve read about the race that she won, it was a pretty close finish. To me that shows that being a transgender athlete did not give her an unfair advantage.
‘Some women I know would say that it’s unfair. But I say we grew up in different contexts, so we have different things to teach one another. If we simply surround ourselves with people who share the same opinions or experiences, we’re not going to be challenged.’
‘The world needs to be more inclusive, so why shouldn’t sport be? But if I were racing, I’m not sure how I would feel. – KATHERINE*