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Opinions of Friday, 19 September 2014

Columnist: Florence Naa Oyoe Quartey

Should football take the place of women?

The battle between women and the sport, football has been an endless one when it comes to the quest for the attention of a man.

Women in their nature love the attention they get wherever they find themselves particularly from the opposite sex be it at a party, church, wedding or social gatherings.

Some women have a perception that their husbands or fiancés adore football more than them. As a result, they become upset when the men watch football without passing a compliment on how good they look in a new outfit or how delicious a meal they prepared is.

Even though not all wives, fiancées or girlfriends are thrilled when it gets to the football season, there are some who enjoy the game of football and even play it as well.

Ann-Marie is one of the few women who take delight in watching football and supports the same team as her husband (Barcelona).

The entrance to her restaurant (Ann’s restaurant) is a favorite hangout of most pizza lovers who aside enjoying their pizza, watch football. Despite her busy schedule, Ann makes time for football. She does not mind running out of the kitchen with her napkin hung over her shoulder to jubilate with customers when she hears a loud ‘goooaaall’.

“I love football and watch it with my husband whenever I’m free from the kitchen and sometimes with customers”, Ann said.

Just like the way gossiping or spending time in the salon gives a source of amusement to women, playing football on the field or watching it on television brings delight to men.

Many males play football during their childhood and adolescent years. It is common to see young men or boys playing football on a park after work or during the weekends. It is a basis of bonding between men. It helps them work productively when put in a team.

Like good remedy, football satisfies many psychological and social needs in the lives of men. For instance, it keeps them relaxed after a hard day’s work and gets interactions going with other men at football hangouts. Ben Andelman’s ‘Why Men Watch Football’ expressed that; it is a pleasant diversion and distraction from dull routines.

On the other hand, Psychologists believe that while women have a variety of topics to discuss including emotions, men are more limited and the common thing they communicate about is sports (football, especially). As a male football fanatic said, “I enjoy watching football with ‘boys boys’ even if they are strangers. I do not see the reason why ninety minutes of football should reduce the affection I have for my wife”.

The game is a source of entertainment to men. Football appeals to men’s love for beauty. As Andelman puts it, ‘It is a beautiful combination of intensity and finesse’.

So ladies, no need to worry. Quit the fuss about your man not having time for you because of football. It is part of their nature. In fact, they were born with it.

Enjoy the game with your husbands, fiancés, and even female friends. You can appreciate his love for the game with a bottle of his favorite beer. Preparing a meal or snack for his friends when they come around won’t be a bad idea either. You could also wear a replica of his team’s jersey and cheer the team as you watch a game together.

You and football, together, will provide an excitement in your man’s life.