July 8th 2024.
Attending my first Sports Day in the UK was a unique experience for me. Growing up in Spain, I had never heard of such an event. So when my 5-year-old son came home from school talking about it, I was just as excited as he was. However, when the day arrived, my excitement quickly turned into confusion. This was not the event I had envisioned. Instead of all the children playing together and competing with each other, they were being divided into groups based on their gender. I couldn't understand why such young children were being categorized in this way.
When I expressed my confusion to others, they seemed unfazed by it, simply stating that "this is how it's always been." But as a feminist, I found this practice to be not only sexist but also unnecessary. Why do we continue to reinforce the idea that boys and girls are fundamentally different when it comes to sports? Despite my reservations, I still saw the value in Sports Day. I loved seeing the kids' enthusiasm, their laughter as they walked in sync with their classmates, and the look of determination on their faces as they balanced an egg on a spoon.
I also appreciated the sense of camaraderie and community that Sports Day created for the kids and their families. However, as a feminist, I couldn't help but question the way in which our schools were categorizing children based on their gender. My son and daughter still participate in Sports Day, but now we use it as an opportunity to have important conversations. We celebrate the different talents and interests of the children, from the girl who climbs the monkey bars like a soldier to the kids who are not particularly fond of sports.
But most of the time, we are not even aware of the nonverbal messages we are sending to our children. According to The Women's Sports Foundation, there is no physiological reason to separate girls and boys in sports before puberty. The only difference is the one that society has created. By categorizing children in this way, we are perpetuating a bias and limiting their beliefs based on their gender. And sadly, this can have a negative impact on girls as young as five, who may not feel like they belong in the world of sports.
When we look at primary-aged children, we can see how they are socialized differently based on their gender. Boys are often given sports equipment and encouraged to be active, while girls are given toys centered around caring for others and their appearance. Even something as simple as school uniforms, with boys wearing trousers and girls wearing skirts, can send a powerful message about gender differences and restrict the physical activities girls can participate in.
All of these small gestures contribute to limiting beliefs based on gender, as highlighted by Women in Sport, who found that 57% of parents say their daughters have felt excluded from physical activities. This is a concerning statistic, especially considering that 26% of girls were discouraged from participating in sports because they were told it "wasn't for girls." We cannot let this continue, as it means we are letting a lot of talented female athletes slip through the cracks.
But it's not just about girls. We also need to consider the boys who may not be interested in sports and the non-binary children who may feel left out in this gendered system. It's crucial that every child feels included on the playground and in the classroom. And as adults, we need to challenge the narrative that has been given to us and encourage our children to do the same.
As a mother, I often share my thoughts on things like Sports Day with my children and ask for their opinions. I want them to be critical thinkers, even if it means that they challenge my own outdated views. So, how can we approach Sports Day in a more inclusive way? Perhaps we can divide the children by their birth month, as it's an objective and fair way to do it. Or we can ask about preferences for food or colors instead of using protected categories like gender.
I understand that some may see this as unnecessary, as it's how things have always been done. But if we are serious about tackling gender inequality in sports, education, and life, then we need to be brave. We need to look at the data, acknowledge the impact of our actions, and make the necessary changes. Change can be scary, but it's necessary to address these seemingly small things and create a more equal playing field for all children. So, let's start having these important conversations and working towards a more inclusive and equal future for everyone. Do you have a story to share? I'd love to hear from you.
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