Fitness Journal for Girls Andrea Katz
There are staggering statistics when it comes to girls and sport in our country. Girls are up to six times more likely to drop out of sport than are boys by the age of 15. Only 2 % of girls ages 12- 17 in Canada are getting enough physical activity to be healthy. If a girl is not physically active by the age of 10, she has less than a 10 % chance of doing so as an adult. And people who are inactive face a greater risk of disease and depression.
( Source: Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity).
So why participate in sport. Girls who play sport: 1. Do better in school. Research shows that exercise improves memory, learning ability and overall concentration.
2. Learn teamwork and goal setting skills. Sport teaches you how to be successful and how to work with all different types of people and teammates. These skills transfer over into other areas including family dynamics, work life and school.
3. Are healthier! Girls who play sport are fit and maintain a healthy body weight, which in turn lowers their chance of disease including breast cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
4. Playing sports builds self-confidence. Understanding what you body and mind are capable of increases self-confidence. Not only that, but achieving your goals set out by you, your team and your coaches can increase overall self-esteem.
5. Are less stressed and happier. The chemicals in your brain that are released during exercise boost a person’ s mood. In addition, meeting new friends and having higher self esteem also aid in your overall level of happiness.
( Source: KidsHealth. org)
Even with all of this terrific information as to why every girl should be involved in sport, girls are still dropping out at rapid rates across our country. According to the Women’ s Sports Foundation, there are six major reasons for the rates: 1. Lack of access. Girls simply don’ t have the same amount of options and opportunities, as do boys.
2. Safety and transportation issues. If there is not a safe or easy way to get
to practice, girls and their parents may opt to stay home.
3. Social stigma attached to being a female athlete. Being seen as a‘ tomboy’ or‘ gay’ from kids can be enough to push many girls out of sport.
4. Decreased quality experience. Facilities, coaching, uniforms and equipment can take a second seat to boys programming in Canada.
5. Cost. Sports can be expensive. It is simply not possible in some families for their kids to participate in sport.
6. Lack of positive female sport role models. Girls see numerous negative body images in the media, and are bombarded with images of women that are unrealistic. Female athletes are covered so little in the media that it is hard to find the positive role models when turning on the television or scrolling online.
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