It is a well-known fact that far fewer women than men participate in sport, but a less well-known statistic suggests that a lot of women want to. Research carried out by Sport England, forming the basis behind their recent ‘This Girl Can’ campaign which supports female involvement in sporting activity, reveals that two million fewer women than men are active, but that 75% of those women admitted to wanting to play more sport. In total, 13 million women, when asked, expressed the same intention. This disparity between desire and reality incites many questions. Why don’t more women engage in sport? Are there really substantial barriers holding them back? And why should women be playing just as much sport as men?
Firstly, one WSFF (Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation) report reveals that over half of women interviewed admit to having been put off physical activity by their experiences of PE at school. Despite always enjoying sport, I myself have several bad memories of hours stood in the freezing cold on the AstroTurf in just a short skirt, not touching the hockey ball once during the entire lesson. Sports that I did well in and could enjoy while wearing comfortable clothing and playing in a warm environment were consistently fun but, if you’re struggling and covered in goosebumps, the experience can verge on nightmarish. 45% of women interviewed stated that sport is too competitive, with over half believing that boys enjoyed competitive sport more than girls. Similarly, many admitted that the message broadcast by PE at school was that you’re either a natural or you’re not, thereby encouraging pupils to drop out of an active lifestyle and give up if they’re yet to find success.
Other reasons for the lack of female involvement in sport include the rare media coverage of women’s sports, largely driven by an absence of interest among viewers, alongside the media’s frequent communication of sexist and sometimes misogynistic comments. Offensive remarks relating to the muscular physiques of inspiring athletes such as Jessica Ennis-Hill, Serena Williams and Rebecca Adlington are surely discouraging to other women who may purposely choose to avoid intense sporting activity in order to preserve their more ‘feminine’ and ‘attractive’ figures. As a result of the aforementioned factors, there’s a serious lack of female sporting role models in comparison to males, and so young girls are far less likely to be driven to pursue a career in sport.
According to the WSFF report, 48% of girls interviewed believe that getting sweaty is ‘not feminine’, which is closely tied to further body confidence issues and the widespread fear of judgement. However, by actually getting involved in sport and putting up with a sweaty brow (which is reportedly very good for your skin and the prevention of spots), many believe that women can regain a feeling of empowerment in relation to their bodies. Experts suggest that, through sport, girls can start to see their bodies as their own and a source of strength rather than primarily sexual or reproductive resources, thus giving them a stronger sense of identity and self-direction.
Participation in sport further supports mental health through reducing the level of stress hormones and stimulating the production of endorphins in the body, boosting happiness and relaxation. Physical activity is also proven to encourage healthy decisions such as not smoking or drinking, to lower the risk of illness and serious conditions such as osteoporosis and breast cancer, and similarly to contribute towards a healthier weight which reduces the probability of developing diabetes and high cholesterol. Engagement in a team sport has even more advantages such as social inclusion and the acquisition of new friends, as well as the development of a wide range of skills including cooperation and leadership.
There is an abundance of reasons why sport is well worth getting involved in, regardless of your gender, self-confidence, or skill. The more girls that get stuck in and achieve success within the sporting world, the easier it will be for future generations to join in too. University is the perfect time to pick up a sport you may have let slip as of late, or to try something completely new, which will not take up as much time as you think but will definitely lead to new friends, new experiences, and a lot of socials!
For further inspiration, visit http://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk to find out more about the women who are already benefitting from a more active lifestyle, and who would undoubtedly encourage you to do the same.