Unveiling Gender Inequality in American High School Golf: A Time Series Analysis and Future Prediction

Abstract

Gender inequality remains a significant and persistent issue in golf. While some scholars have studied its historical origins, current status, and measures, there is a dearth of research focused on high school golf. Few studies have explored the specific challenges female high school golfers face, accurate predictions for future trends are lacking. This study uses a time series chart to visualize the male-female ratio of high school golf players in the United States from 2010/2011 to 2021/2022. The data is then fitted into an ARIMA model to forecast future trends. The visualization of the data reveals a significant increase in female participation from 2010/2011 to 2021/2022, although it remains lower than that of males. Despite some progress over the past 12 years, true gender equality in high school golf has not yet been achieved. The predictions indicate a decline in the female participation ratio from 2022/2023 to 2033/2034, highlighting the insufficient efforts to promote gender equality in sports. This lack of effort hinders sustained and stable progress in female participation. The results of this study have brought about a greater awareness of the severity of gender inequality in high school golf. This has prompted stakeholders to take stronger action to prevent the exacerbation of gender inequality issues in high school sports and collectively build a more inclusive sports environment free from gender bias and discrimination.