The Edmond Sun

Sports

Discussion

July 18, 2008

Kids in Sports

Bob Cortese

When I was a young man, many years ago, girls did not often participate in sports. Back then most people thought girls should only be cheerleaders, pompom girls, or dance team members and let the competitive side of athletic be for the boys. Things have changed considerably over the years and for the better I might add.

In 1972 Congress passed the Educational Assistance act. One section of this law, Title IX, prohibits discrimination against girls in Federally funded education programs, including athletics.

In has been well documented that athletic involvement generally results in a healthier child. Increased muscle strength and flexibility, great cardiovascular efficiency, better self esteem, and more confidence. A child who is involved in athletics usually has a greater ability to overcome adversity and cope with pressure much better. They become better at bonding with other children and making new friends.

Then why, as we mistakenly thought many years ago, did we feel these were not important by-products for girls?

To further add to the positive effect on girls in sports, we simply need to look at research. The findings indicate that as many high school female athletes report high grades and higher marks on standardized test scores. They are also more likely to go to college then their non-athletic counterparts.

Jean Zimmerman and Gil Reavill, authors of “Raising our Athletic Daughters,” state that, “Girls athletes have one of the lowest rates of tobacco use among any sector of the high school population; they are less likely to abuse drugs; they are less likely to get pregnant, more likely to delay their first sexual experience, and have, on the average, fewer sexual partners than girls who do not participate in sports.”

This is Bob Cortese reminding you that if you can’t be a good athlete than at least be a good sport.

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