One of the first records of women participating in sports points to the ancient Minoan times where young women where shown to take part in sports like boxing and bull-fighting. In Ancient Egypt there is evidence of women involved in sports like hunting and fishing or supporting their husbands in similar activities. During the ancient times in the Hellenic world unmarried women where allowed to also participate in sport events and compete against other women. During the Ancient Olympics there are even records of women winning not as participants but as owners of horses that won chariot races. In Persia women of the royal court could ride horses and play polo. With the establishment and spread of Christianity women become more isolated and any activity outside the house is considered to be immoral and punishable. In Medieval Europe where we can trace the origins of many of the popular moderns sports we only find women of the rural working class and peasants participating in activities like hunting.
In the modern times women first started being involved in male dominated sports such as, gymnastics, cycling races, swimming and golf. With the introduction of the modern Olympics, however, there isn’t a sport in which women can’t participate on some level. By the mid eighties Professional franchises have been formed so women can play professional basketball, volleyball and soccer as well. On 1987 the first annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day is celebrated in the United States and today there are even Powder Puff football teams for females that allow full body contact in the playing rules.
In fact, most public school systems are so focused on presenting athletic opportunities for girls that they have created rules regarding gender specific sports. For example, some school systems require that for every male sport the school sponsors, they must also sponsor a female sport. When these rules are followed, girls and boys all get the same number of opportunities to be active in sports. In addition, some school systems require that if a girl or boy wants to play a sport of the opposite gender (such as girls playing football or boys being cheerleaders) that they are permitted.
There are many benefits to women and girls playing sports. One great thing about girls being involved in sports is the opportunity to learn many life skills. Some people might think that when a girl plays basketball in school that she is only learning the techniques of the sport. However, in reality, she is learning all about teamwork, commitment, nutrition, and physical fitness. These life skills without participation in sports are difficult to learn and a lot less fun. But there are more benefits for your girls who are involved with sports. Studies have shown that women and girls who are student athletes are also more likely to have healthy self-esteems and less depression. When young girls join a high-school sport team, they are less likely to experience teen pregnancies. They are more likely to wait to be sexually involved until they are older. In addition, they are less likely to try drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol at young ages. In a world where more than fifty percent of high school kids are trying drugs, parent should promote sports and anything else that gives their child an outlet away from these negative behaviors. In addition, girls who participate in sports or athletic competition are more likely to have good grades and graduate from their high school than those who do not play sports. In fact, many coaches require their players hold a high grade point average in order to qualify for playing on the team.
The GirlvsGirl line of clothing and accessories are a great way to express the fact that girls and women who participate in sports are not only smart, well behaved, and talented, but also quite sexy. In fact, while female athletes of the past usually dressed conservative and even “boyish” on occasion, today they are coming out of their shells with trendy styles like the ones in the GirlvsGirl line. These items allow women to be both athletic and hot. They are feminine and show women in sports that they can create a sexual energy around their preferred sport. In fact, you don’t even have to play sports to love this line. You can just be a fan of a sport, like football, to enjoy the unique designs and beautiful drawings.
Nassos Vakalis is an animation artist and a shopkeeper of http://www.cafepress.com/sportgraphics/ store featuring his Girl-Power designs.
