There are fewer sports opportunities and limited access to athletic activities for urban girls. Historically, the programs, media exposure and sports role models in urban areas have been directed at boys. There is some confirmation that ethnic minority females are less physically active than their Caucasian peers.
Poverty has a big impact on girls' participation in sports activities. The environment may be unsafe for pursuing these activities. The demands and stresses of urban life take a toll on a girl's time and energy. Role models, in the past, haven't been healthy, strong, athletic women. These girls haven't been exposed to a variety of sports. Typically, life for poor, urban girls means unhealthy eating and sleeping habits and sedentary lifestyles.
There has been a lack of basic information about the benefits of exercise and sports activities for urban girls and their families. It has been difficult for a girl who is interested in sports to find effective coaching and proper training.
There are barriers to sports participation that are unique to girls living in poor, urban centers. These significant obstacles are:
-- Responsibilities at home, including caring for younger siblings
-- The need to get part-time jobs
-- Lack of family support and encouragement
-- Any cost to participants
-- Gender stereotypes
-- Transportation
-- Safety issues
-- Finding competent staff
These are barriers that can be overcome with careful planning. It is important that girls are exposed to the new role models - athletic women who are achieving success. Bring in women from the community who are successful, particularly in alternative careers, and who make sports an important part of their lives. Have the girls in your program follow the progress of a women's team (high school, college, or professional), so they can learn what it takes to be successful.
Public education needs to address the misperceptions that some parents have of girls' participation in sports. Parents need to learn about the significant benefits of physical activity for a girl's health and well-being and school achievement. Girls and their families need basic knowledge about sports skills, fitness, nutrition and training. Train the parents to be assistant coaches, to help with administration, equipment needs and transportation arrangements, so they can become an integral part of their daughter's success.
Allowing girls to become part of a team can accomplish several things. Girls will learn to work as a group to accomplish a goal. They will have an opportunity to learn how to communicate with others, resolve conflicts in a constructive way, defer to leaders, and how to become leaders.
It is important to focus on "the whole girl." Develop a curiosity about each girl's eating and sleeping habits, her responsibilities at home, her school and homework routines, her academic attendance, achievements and weaknesses. Coordinate your program with the school's program. For example, arrange for the girls to earn school credit for participation at various athletic and leadership levels.
It is essential for girls to feel safe while attending the sports program. Volunteers may be needed to chaperone and arrange transportation. If girls can not travel safely to the sports program, then the program should to be taken to the girls. Girls who take leadership roles, help to train others and help with the administration of the program may sometimes receive a small stipend. Make it a sibling-friendly environment by allowing younger siblings to share some of the responsibilities as junior assistants. Make daycare available. By involving the family as volunteers, you can eliminate some of the issues inhibiting urban girls' participation in sports programs.