The Representation of Female Athletes in Film Images of women in sports and cultural ideals of women have moved somewhat synchronously over time. As notions of women's roles and perceptions of women change, the portrayal of female athletes and acceptance of female athleticism in cultural norms also changes. Similarly, as women began to break gender barriers in sport, perceptions of women's roles changed, and the change in representation and perception led to greater acceptance of women as athletes. In the documentary about female athletes, there were images of strong female competitors and driven athletes who competed more with society's expectations and limitations on them as women, compared to other competitors in their fields. They were faced with images of weak, passive and domesticated women. These images led to the fallacy that cycling would harm women's reproductive systems, that it was unladylike to sweat, and that even something as noncompetitive as pushing a baby carriage was "too liberating for women." It was these perceptions of the late Victorian era and the first decades of the 20th century that prevented women from running great distances and shrouded the athleticism and tenacity of a tennis match in the guise of a fashion spectacle. the series involved images of women versus cultural and familial expectations. In "Bend It like Beckham" the predominance of role expectations on the main character stemmed from her family and her mother's expectations of her as a daughter. She was constantly told or called upon to cook, prepare things for meals or events, or go shopping, and to show more concern for female interests. In this movie... mid-card... having a black coach and being able to integrate the team. This integration in turn led to the formation of value-changing friendships and, ultimately, greater overall acceptance of integration and altered racial views and perceptions. In this way, society's expectations influenced sport, which in turn influenced society. When it comes to images of women and athletes, this same kind of cyclical pattern of change has occurred. As notions of women's roles and perceptions of women change, the portrayal of female athletes and acceptance of female athleticism in cultural norms also changes. There are still many barriers to break down in society and athletics, but we are far from worrying about damage to our reproductive organs, and as women continue to challenge gender barriers in sport, perceptions of women's roles will change too..