Now we have begun to lose talented, experienced women. Some because they matured beyond taking satisfaction in the relentless hostile battle, some because they came to realize that they could make more money for many fewer hours and much less flak in another field and some because they wanted families. Men, too, struggle with the long hours, the bad hours, the travel, the pressure, but our society as a whole continues to respect and support men who put job before family. Women aren t supposed to do that. It is not possible to separate the attitudes that block progress for women within our business from the attitudes that still exist everywhere toward women crossing the line into men s territory.
Attitudes change very, very slowly.
Women, even writers as accomplished as you, should not write commentaries on male behavior in sport. You can t understand the urge to destroy your opponent in every way, including emotionally. Because women tend to want to allow their opponents to save face, you would never make a gesture such as the throat slash that would signify total and utter destruction of your opponent. It also indicates that the opponent is hopelessly unable to retaliate. As a female, you cannot understand the satisfaction of being the dominant male in a confrontation.