Sandra Berkowitz Stafford, University of Minnesota

1989 - Punishment Paradigms : Pros and Cons

A reply to an article usually begins with an overarching statement in which the author indicates that she sees some fundamental problem with the original article. I wish to begin this reply by commending Holly and Cinder for finally speaking to the issue of women and debate. As a former debater and high school coach, I believe this issue is something which certainly has been crying out for attention. However, while I believe that their article is a good first step, it is just that. The issue of women in debate requires some further analysis. First, I would like to highlight some of Cinder and Holly's arguments.

I will not deny many of the arguments which are offered. For example, there are many biases which women face in debate. I know of many high school and college programs which discourage (although not ususally overtly), women's participation in debate. There are many males who have been biased against female participation in the activity. These biased individuals, both male and female, can be found among debaters, judges, coaches, parents, and administrators. (I know, I have debated with some, coached others, and happily coached against still others.) Many of the specific claims which are made in the article, and supported by empirical data, ring true to many in debate. However, it seems to me that Holly and Cinder do not take the arguments far enough. While they describe the situation which many women find in debate, they do little to prescribe action to solve the problems.

This is not to say that they do not prescribe any solutions. They state that 'Perceptually, women lack the levels of confidence present in males; their expectations of success are lower, and the pressures placed upon them are higher.' In order to enhance the self-confidence of women debaters, changes in the attitudes of the current "ruling class" of debate -male coaches and participants -- need to occur. Through 'reform on issues' and males being "more sympathetic" to women and women's issues in debate, women's self-confidence will increase. This is not to say that women are completely at the mercy of men. However, if I understand their argument correctly, then women may have some effect, but the major changes must come f rom the men in the activity. This is where I believe that Cinder and Holly have shortchanged women's ability to make a difference, although I do not believe that they have done this intentionally.

Another answer to the problems which Holly and Cinder document in their article must come from women debaters and coaches themselves. To wait for male coaches and administrators to recruit women into the coaching and debating ranks seems to perpetuate the problems which pervade the activity. Women must actively seek to change the activity. Why is it that if military issues are 'manly' that not all men argue them? Could it be that not all men are alike? Perhaps the same can be said of women. The point is that regardless of whether you are a man or a woman the statement you make should stem from your ability not your sex. Only by becoming the best debater you can be (which sounds trite, but is true) will you have an effect on the attitudes held by members of the debate community. For women, this means that we cannot lay back and wait for the men to change the situation, we must become active, assertive participants. Holly and Cinder seem to speak to the men in the debate community when they advocate changes in the attitude toward women in debate. I would speak to women and say that if you enjoy debating military, or any other issue, you should do so regardless of what the prevailing attitude is. Women coaches must seek a place for themselves in the debate community, which is based upon their ability, rather than their sex.

One question which the issue of women in debate brings forth is not whether change should come but what that change should be and how it should be implemented. Holly and Cinder open up a discussion which should be furthered throughout the debate community. Both men and women should take heed of the information contained in their article. In order to change the system, we all need to understand it. My argument has been that women should not wait for men to change the system on their behalf, but should actively seek change themselves. Through their active and complete participation as debaters and coaches, they enact the changes. Through a forum such as this, women and men can discuss, and debate, the changes they foresee for the system. I have no simple answers to a complex issue. But it seems that the answer is not as simple as Cinder.and Holly offer. Women cannot wait for men to open their arms to women and their issues, regardless of whether those issues are different from or the same as men's, rather, women must become part of the solution as well. Use your skills well. But, also use your voices: the changes in debate cannot only come from the men in the activity. If we are part of the problem, we must be part of the solution. If what Holly and Cinder and I have said stimulate you, whoever you are, to think about and change the atmosphere in academic debate, then we have succeeded. The rest is up to you.