Women in Sports: Why We Need to Keep Girls in Sports

By: Molly Silvon

Research in a recent Dove Ad campaign reveals that almost two in every three girls involved in sports have considered quitting due to self-confidence and body image. Not only does this give gravity to the situation surrounding the exit of young girls from sports, but it also demonstrates the very reason young women need to stay in sports in the first place. In a world where 60% of young female athletes are struggling with body image, it is necessary to shape sports into a community that champions body positivity and helps cultivate self-confidence. Furthermore, for many girls, sports cause them to fight gender, race, or sexuality-based prejudice, among other types of discrimination. Many female athletes are overlooked, programs are underfunded, and many professional role models are not given a full chance to represent a given sport. For young athletes, especially teenage girls, these circumstances only further demonstrate the harmful stigmas in many sports that favor male athletes. It is crucial now more than ever that women’s sports are kept in the spotlight and spaces are cultivated for belonging and community in girls' sports.

Lack of Funding

One of the main contributors to the recent decline of girls in sports is the increasingly concerning lack of funding and overall athletic programming. It is not that funding is getting worse; in fact, it is starting to improve, but the fact is that the issue surrounding funding for women’s sports went undiscovered for so long. Although it has been previously established that a lack of funds contributes to poor conditions, lesser coaching, and worse equipment, it is also proven that this issue leads many to quit, as many girls have reported lacking funds as drivers to end athletic careers. This is further reflected by direct data about athletic involvement. As seen in research from the Women’s Sports Foundation, “49% of girls aged 5 to 11 take part in a team sport, compared to 70% of boys”. In fact, in a study that famously suggested young women quit sports twice as much as young men, data recorded that one of the main reasons for the trend was a lack of “quality programming”. 

Professional Sports 

Not only are youth teams underdeveloped, but female athletes have famously had to work in poor conditions for years. Many professional sports leagues, for instance, the WNBA, are only beginning to serve women in the same male athletes have been regarded for years. Many teams have gone through processes to update locker rooms, renovate training facilities, and, as recently as last season, make the move to charter planes for teams. 

Media Coverage

It is also invaluable to bring attention to the lack of attention surrounding professional women in sports. Not only are women’s sports poorly advertised, but low funding for established professional leagues also fails to support players, maintain facilities, or draw consistent viewership. Recent research by UN Women showed that “Women’s sports media coverage has tripled since 2019 after remaining stagnant for three decades at just 5 percent to 16 percent in 2022. If coverage trends continue at the current rate of growth, women’s share of coverage could reach 20 per cent by 2025.” Although this is a huge step for advocates of women’s broadcasting, it is a step that was taken far too late and far too gingerly. In fact, the statistic that 5% of televised sports were recently made up by female athletics is both sad and also very proving of the rampant need for any expansion of women’s sports marketing. Furthermore, most salaries, cash prizes, and league-issued incentives amount to considerably less than that awarded to male athletes. 

Discrimination and Injustice

Likely one of the most impactful stigmas driving girls out of sports is the presence of discrimination and prejudice, especially pertaining to race, gender, and sexuality. Stigmatized injustice, even in seemingly small acts such as microaggressions, is not only deeply harmful to those being targeted but also drives many athletes out of sports. Racially motivated discrimination is prevalent in sports for all genders, but is only amplified by the presence of additional gender bias. In fact, UN Women cited that, “85 per cent of online abuse in the lead-up to and during the Tokyo Olympics was directed at women; 63 per cent of identified abuse was directed at just two athletes – both black and female”. Additionally, queer bias also has a history of driving young girls out of sports. As found by the Women’s Sports Foundation, unfortunate homophobia threatens to impact young female athletes both on and off the court or field, as many fear being labelled. It would not only have negative social implications, but would also affect relationships with coaches, managers, etc. This discrimination has become desensitized and, in some places, even normalized. Therefore, cultivating environments to stomp out harmful biases not only ensures girls stay in sports but also ensures athletics are kept a safe space for all people. 

Body Confidence

Recent trends also show a direct correlation between body confidence and self-confidence.  In fact, it has become a reality that in sports, 46% of girls feel not only judged because of how they look, but report being told “they don’t have the right body for sports”. Recent research by Dove has found that “Almost 2 in 3 girls have or have considered dropping out because of body confidence concerns”. Low body confidence in sports comes from an array of sources. Further, it has been recently proven that over half of girls in sports are afraid of being watched and judged, significantly higher than the less than 37% of boys in sports. Furthermore, the majority of female athletes report being discouraged by coaches, demonstrating how spaces that do not aim to cultivate a welcoming and body-positive environment drive women out of the sports world.

Dove Campaign

One of the leading forces in the fight to keep girls in sports has emerged in the form of the #KeepHerConfident campaign. Established by Dove and supported by Nike, the initiative educates leaders in athletic spheres, provides resources surrounding self-esteem in sports, and donates to organizations supporting girls in athletics. The initiative has made news through the form of celebrated athlete endorsements, brand sponsorships, and most recently, a joint ad campaign aired during Super Bowl 59. It has also proudly backed numerous research studies proving further validating the world’s particular need for its central message. Further, one finding showed that about 69% of elementary-aged girls felt they had a positive self-worth, tangibly lower than the 79% that was reported by boys of the same age. Furthermore, the company found that nearly 50% of girls report being bullied or made fun of in some way surrounding their body weight. In a society where body shame has become all too desensitized, it is becoming increasingly more dire to secure sports as a safe space for the next generation. 

Health Benefits

Despite the concerning decrease in female-identifying athletes, sports have been found to hold significant positive impacts in the lives of girls and women. UN Women found that keeping girls in sports boasts numerous long-term positives. Not only did they uncover that women tend to opt for higher education and become employed in better jobs, but it was also discovered that female athletes tend to be more confident, flexible, and comfortable in collaborative settings. Further, several findings by medical institutions even imply possible medical benefits. Athletic involvement has been widely found to aid in overall health, supporting cardiovascular and muscular wellness among other benefits. More specifically, girls' involvement in sports has been discovered to champion more specific results. As part of Dove’s previously mentioned #KeepHerConfident campaign, it was reported that “Girls active in sports during adolescence and young adulthood are 20% less likely to get breast cancer later in life.” 

It is now more important than ever to keep girls in sports. Through both the health benefits offered and the need for body-positive and confidence-building communities, sports are proving to be invaluable, especially in such a formative time for young girls. The body toxicity that is rampant in some athletic pathways – the very thing that drives people out of sports may just be the reason sports need to be expanded. In addition, as women's sports facilities and programs get larger, it is a necessity that the conditions female athletes are under improve as well. Athletes should not be pulled through strain either due to work facilities or through physical and online harassment and abuse. Not only is this a detriment to their mental health, but it also further cements the harmful stereotypes that have been pushing women out of the sports spotlight. In tandem with the body toxicity that has become intertwined with sports for many girls, especially sports that have historically favored a certain body type, there is no reason for girls to leave athletics. This is the very reason why sports need to evolve. Sports communities need to focus on supporting athletes, eliminating harassment, and cultivating healthy and positive spaces for all people.