Gender equality has made a considerable amount of progress over the recent decades, specifically when it comes to athletics. Before Title IX, which states that, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,” only 2% of college students involved in sports were girls, and only 7% of high school athletes were girls. There are many reasons for this including, but not limited to, the following:
-lack of opportunities/access/safety
-lack of confidence/encouragement
-lack of sports gear
-lack of promise of success (unequal scholarships etc.)
-stigma around femininity
There are incredible benefits for girls who continue their participation in sports. Aside from the obvious effects on physical health it has been shown to increase self-confidence and esteem, decrease risk of mental health and disorders (such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders), teach life skills (teamwork and leadership), and the list goes on. According to statistics from the Women’s Sports Foundation, women who participate in sports are less likely to drop out of school, are less at risk for early/unplanned pregnancy, and have higher grades. While these are not guarantees and do not apply to every girl, it is obvious that girls should at least receive the same chance that boys get to be involved in sports and stay active.
What can we do to support girls and their participation in sports? We can spread awareness about the discrepancy so that more people are moved to change this inequality. Perhaps you can start a local club or team for the girls in your neighborhood or school. Another way to support girl sports can be voting for legislation that also focuses on it, like Title IX. Ensuring that girls receive the same attention and quality of athletics will be a journey, but there are many places and societies looking to improve this situation. Together, it is possible to make good progress!
Sources:
http://www.feminist.org/sports/titleixfactsheet.asp
http://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/youth-sports-parenting-basics/parenting-girls/sports-dropout-rate-for-girls-six
https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/28/health/girls-sports-puberty-likeagirl/index.html