Sports examines positive attributes of girls’ involvement in athletics and double standards for male and female athletes.
Angie, 11, Chelsea, 12, and Melissa, 14, of the Little Indians softball team, in the dugout during practice, Naples, Florida.
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Athleticism is admired among girls in the 1990s. As a result of changes wrought by Title IX, a federal ruling that required equity in the support of male and female athletic programs, opportunities for competitive athletics among young women have mushroomed since the 1970s. Today we see girls involved in sports once reserved for men. |
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Swimming.... teaches you so many life lessons, like discipline, sportsmanship, being able to work hard;... You learn things about yourself every day in practice, like what your weaknesses are, and how to face those and turn them into strengths. It’s recognizing that there’s beauty in strength and beauty in taking your abilities to the highest level you can. |
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As soon as I started sports, I knew where I was going. When I win a track meet, I feel empowered. I feel part of something awesome. |
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[When Leilani's coach discovered she was an exotic dancer] He was like, "I don't agree with what you're doing at all. It's morally wrong." Because of his religious beliefs, he didn't want me on his team if I was going to be dancing.... I told him, "I have to continue working to pay for school." And he was like, "Well, you can't continue running then." I didn't feel it was fair at all that the baseball players [who watched Leilani dance at the club] didn't get kicked off or anything. But they're a nationally ranked baseball team, so what are they going to do? |