Monday, February 20, 2012

Women in Sports

Sport has been one of the most important socio-cultural learning experiences for boys and men for many years. Those same benefits should be afforded our daughters. It is important for all of us to know that:

  • High school girls who play sports are less likely to be involved in an unintended pregnancy; more likely to get better grades in school and more likely to graduate than girls who do not play sports.

    Girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem and lower levels of depression.


    Girls and women who play sports have a more positive body image and experience higher states of psychological well-being than girls and women who do not play sports.

    The Women’s Sports Foundation not only provides grants, but also distributes its award-winning educational curriculum at no cost to the organizations.

    The curriculum is used by program leaders to hold sessions on various health-related topics such as smoking, stress, body image and bullying.

    The stories feature champion women athlete as role-models for each issue; athletes such as: Jessica Mendoza (Softball), Lisa Leslie (Basketball) and Mia Hamm (Soccer).