WHY ARE GIRLS' INVOLVEMENT IN SPORTS SO LOW?

Let's consider this fact for a moment: By the age of 14, girls drop out of sports at two times the rate of boys. Why are so many girls at such a young age choosing to opt-out of the physical and emotional benefits that sports provide? The Women's Sports Foundation has thoughtfully laid out some of the factors affecting this phenomenon.

Girl athletes face challenges regarding their respective sports, for example, a lower level quality of experience, a lack of positive, strong female role models, and social stigma. These things should not hold back a girl in pursuing their goals and ambitions in athletics.

Let's dive a little deeper into each of these points:

Lack of access
Compared to boys, the lack of sports engagement and education is severely limited in high school and college. Some girls may even have to pay more to access these facilities because opportunities to play are few and far between. Many girls may choose not to play sports because it is an extra financial investment that will burden their families. If sports were more accessible to girls, this problem would be eradicated. The fact that girls have to look harder for more opportunities to play than boys is problematic in itself; thoughts of self-doubt begin to circulate their minds from a very young age. Does my involvement in sports matter? Should I even play? The consequences of the lack of opportunity for girls in sports are severe and heartbreaking.

Safety and transportation
Where girls live is also an essential factor to consider in their involvement in sports. Living in unsafe environments means that traveling to and from the sports facility is dangerous. Many families believe that the only option is for them to stay at home.
Considerations of communal buses and other transportation are being implemented to increase youth participation in sports.

Where are the positive female role models?
For many girls, fitting in the mold is safer and more comfortable. The plethora of images of seemingly perfect women floods Instagram feeds and Snapchat stories. This idea that girls need to be externally beautiful has been subconsciously implanted into the heads of millions, even billions. The accomplishments of athletic, strong, and outspoken women are hidden and are not given nearly enough attention by media outlets.

Why is it so important for girls to participate in sports?

The cultivation of teamwork and confidence from a young age. The physical and emotional health benefits. Self-expression and satisfaction. An enhanced perception of their bodies.
And girls participating in sports are a beacon towards a better future for women all around the world.

Achieving gender equality starts with our youth. While physical barriers are harder to tackle, creating a world where girls are proud to play sports instead of feeling pressure to quit is attainable. With athletes like Serena Williams, Alex Morgan, and Simone Biles, the perception of athletic women are changing. As an eight-year-old who was inspired to start gymnastics because of the Olympic superstar Gabby Douglas, I know the positive impact these amazing women are making is tremendous. Stick with your sport. Trust your athleticism. Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't be doing this. While it isn't easy, know that you are a beacon for change. You are the future.

Citations

"Do You Know the Factors Influencing Girls' Participation in Sports?" Women's
     Sports Foundation, www.womenssportsfoundation.org/
     do-you-know-the-factors-influencing-girls-participation-in-sports/.