I didn't play team sports, surprise. I did do track and cross country (individual sports) and they helped me a lot with my awareness of my body—albeit not with group dynamics. Although I didn't partake, I recognize and genuinely envy the emotional and psychological benefits of socializing in a physical format like team sports. That's why it broke my sporting heart to read that in Atlanta, 12-year-old Madison Baxter was told she could no longer try out for football after playing for six years because the coach said she was "provoking impure thoughts." My least favorite piece of misogyny this week is a 12-year-old girl being punished because others might view her as a sexual object.

I only hate a few things more than feeling objectified: one is Doctor Octopus, and the other is being blamed and punished for being the victim of objectification. "Hey, you remind me of something inhuman like a physical object such as a table! I'm going to punish you for being a table by putting a pile of Twilight books atop you." Whether or not boys were sexually lusting after their teammate, she shouldn't be punished for that. It's not her fault, and she shouldn't be chastised for it. By blaming someone ostensibly for having a body, the coach is imparting a complex of guilt for existing and taking up space. No one should feel guilty for taking up space... except maybe solar system eaters.

This fellow on facebook (not my friend) posted the article about Madison and wrote: "Am I wrong for agreeing with this? They give a dumb reason, but I'm just not comfortable with the idea of a woman playing football with men."

Who cares what YOU'RE COMFORTABLE with, straight white man? I'm comfortable in a Princess Leia costume and nothing else, but we can't always get what we want! The inherent underlying tone of entitlement is infuriating. The issue is whether or not a 12-year-old girl should be blamed for inciting sexual desires—not whether or not a woman should be allowed to play football, but thanks for taking it there, Television's 1950s Gym Teacher.

It's stressful to go through puberty, your body forming into that of a woman—but I had to shed my yeti skin sometime. Being 12 is such a vulnerable time. It must be so empowering for Madison to play a sport and step into the strength of her own body, while making friends. It's horrible that this very empowerment morphed into something dehumanizing and shameful. It's difficult to own our bodies, to take up space, to fight the guilt for existing drilled into us as women. The coach's behavior is of the ilk that inspires body dysmorphia and slut shaming. And I hate anyone who inspires body dysmorphia and slut shaming to do anything besides star in a buddy cop movie.

Besides, any coach that says a 12-year-old little girl can't play football because she would inspire too much lust has bigger problems... such as being labeled a pedophile.

Women have bodies that are beautiful. Everyone is wonderful and whole and amazing for existing. We shouldn't be blamed for the desire we create. We shouldn't be punished or have any privileges taken away because others' can't control their hormones. All that being said... football is the one with the melon shaped ball, right?

That has been my least favorite piece of misognyny this week, tune in next week to find out why Lassie doesn't care that Timmy fell down the well this time!