Participating in sports activities is seen mostly as a ‘male hobby’. Now don’t get me wrong, there are many amazing female athletes in contemporary society and in my opinion they do not get praised enough! However, according to a progress report from the Government Equalities Office in 2015:
48% of girls aged 7-21 think getting sweaty from taking part in sports is unfeminine, and nearly one third of boys think that girls who are sporty are not very feminine
They’re still too young to be taken seriously, right?… WRONG!
The younger generation are the future of this world, therefore their opinions play a crucial role in society. Phrases such as “you run like a girl” and “you throw like a girl” can seem harmless when you’re 8 years old at school playing catch with your crush, nevertheless they construct this idea that ‘like a girl’ is not good enough.
Taking apart the previous quote, my confusion lays with the statement from the young girls. what the progress report then continues to say is that
23% of these girls report not participating in exercise because they are unhappy with their body image
So imagine being 7 years old and feeling body conscious, the thought alone sends goosebumps down my spine. When we thinking of 7 year olds, we think innocent care free children. Dealing with such issues can lead to very low self esteem or at times self harming. Through the use of the internet, as it is so easily accessible in this day, advertisers should remember their audience is always larger than expected. Youtube clips, adverts on TV and advertisements on the sides of buses and buildings can catch the attention of many, regardless their age. Down below is the Always campaign ‘Like a Girl’ with the aim to raise awareness regarding the use of ‘Like a Girl’ as an insult.
In order to make positive changes, we have to make sure the stereotypes that are so loosely used in everyday dialogue, are not encouraged amongst the older generation first and foremost, as well as teaching young minds that although we live in a world where a female is not always valued as much as she should be, changes have been made and will hopefully continue.
P.S remember you are BEAYOUTIFUL xxx