Opportunities
for women in sports have been steadily increasing since the inception
of Title IX, along with new challenges for coaches of the growing
population of female athletes.
In this month's issue we will be exploring the benefits of sports
for girls, along with some of the unique issues that affect their
involvement in sports and some of the factors to be aware of when
coaching them.
In each section we have included several additional resources worthy
of checking out, especially if you have an interest in that particular
issue. We've delved into the archives to find some great material
from years past, along with the latest links to information regarding
women in sports.
Martin Short and Sandra Short
Coaching & Sports Section Editors
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| Benefits of Girls in Sports |
There are many
benefits to anyone involved in sports, including
girls. Numerous studies have shown the good things that can
happen when girls are involved in sports.
Girls can develop physically, socially, and psychologically, and
Youthsport.com
discusses how all three of these areas can be developed by sports
involvement.
The physical benefits include becoming physically fit, and aware
of their own body capabilities. There are several social benefits
as well, including meeting new people and learning to go toward
a common goal by using teamwork and cooperation. The psychological
benefits include developing the qualities of confidence, independence,
self-esteem, and leadership.
These qualities produced by sports can carry over to everyday life,
and how girls will act in the future. These benefits have even been
commented on by women
in the business world. Youthsport.com
mentions that "if a girl does not participate in sports by
the time she is 10, there is only a 10% chance she will participate
when she is 25."
Participation at any age is important because of health benefits;
however, it is always better to start when young since earlier involvement
can affect the girl later in life. Some of the health benefits related
to being in sports as a child are the reduced risk of obesity, girls
in sports are less likely to start smoking, sports helps prevent
osteoporosis, sports produces better overall health, and a girl
can have lower levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides
and lower blood pressure.
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| If you have ideas, comments,
letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please
email one of the following Coaching Section Editors: |
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One of the biggest psychological
benefits of being involved in sports, for girls, is that it builds
self-esteem. Self-esteem can be defined as a perception of self-worth,
and it can affect all areas of a girl's life.
Low levels can cause depression and eating disorders (because of
their self-image). Some little girls involved in sports do not get
the right kind of feedback (related to society views on sports),
so they underestimate their own potential in a sport and thus, they
might end up dropping out. The article "Self-esteem,
Sports and Physical Activity," by Peggy Edwards, describes
self-esteem and discusses how individuals running programs and organizations/institutions
can promote and enhance self-esteem in young girls involved in sports.
A Youth
Sports Institute article "Promoting
Social and Moral Development Through Sports," by Marty
Ewing, also describes issues of Self-esteem. Self-esteem is influenced
by coaching style as more positive feedback increases self-esteem
in children. High self-esteem in the child is related to their enjoyment
level, and in their decision to participate in the same activity
the following year. Girls who decide to stay in a sport show higher
levels of self-esteem, and will be more likely to say "no"
to drugs and gangs. Good self-esteem is very important in children,
since it not only affects their participation in sports, but also
other choices and activities in everyday life.
Other links to information on sport's effects in regard to self-esteem
in girls include:
You
Go Girl!
Girls
and Sports
Empowering
Girls
Sports
Participation and Self Esteem
Sports
Gives Girls Strong Self Images
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| Previous PELINKS4U Articles |
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| Title IX was first established
in 1972, although it didn't make much of a difference until the
80's.
This law has been under controversy since it's inception, and
as of late there have been hearings on what should be done to
the law since it has supposedly been the source of problems within
Universities and their athletic programs. According to an article
at Feminist.org,
"This is first and foremost about achieving equality for
women. We must preserve Title IX to ensure equality for women
and girls in all areas of life". The article describes some
peoples views on what should be done to Title IX, and how they
feel about it.
"Achieving
Success under Title IX" is another article about the
remarkable effect it has had on women in sports. A great quote
from Cheryl Miller, Olympic athlete, "Without Title IX, I'd
be nowhere". This is often the truth for female athletes.
Ever since Title IX was set into motion the rate at which females
participated in sports has sky rocketed.
Other information on Title IX:
25
Years of Progress
Title
IX at 30: Still under fire
Archives
of womenssportsfoundation.org
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| Over the years,
and with the implementation of Title IX, more girls and women
are becoming involved in sports. With all the benefits that have
been found it should be important for a girl to be involved in
sports. However, as girls get older their drop-out rates tend
to increase much more than boys. This is partially due to the
views they and society have about girls playing sports.
At the Canadian
Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport an article
describes a girl's experience in sports, and ways parents can
try to keep their daughters in sports (or at least physically
active). Some suggestions were to let girls try a variety of different
sports, give them good equipment to use, support them and show
interest in their activities, and expose them to women athlete
role models.
The suggestion to have women role models for little girls has
been a barrier for girls, but time is slowly changing this. An
article
at Child and
Family Canada goes over barriers girls have toward participating
in sports, as well as ways to promote sports in girls.
Some other resource links with information on promoting sports
with girls:
Girls@play
Women's
Network
President's
Council Report
Women's Sport
Foundation UK
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