Opinions

Natalie

Is physical fitness important for girls? Why? And if yes, then what's so great about being active or playing sports? 

Physical fitness is definitely important for girls to build up a healthy lifestyle. It helps to keep you in shape as well as stay active. Being active and playing sports not only allows girls to have fun but also lay a foundation for skills that can be used in the future and for a whole lifetime. One aspect that is often forgotten about being active and playing sports is that it is socially beneficial too – I have formed countless relationships and friendships from my tennis and lacrosse teams that are extremely valuable to me. There are so many advantages to physical fitness – whether it is just running in the morning or playing on a sports team; anyone who is willing can be active and better their lifestyle.  

Do you think our American society accepts boys as athletes more than girls? Why, and does anything need to be done about this? 

I think that American society does accept boys as athletes more than girls. Even on a small scale, like at high schools, this is definitely noticeable – I know that many schools give more funding to their male athletes than to their female athletes, and sports involving boys often attract a larger crowd than girls. In professional sports, this is especially true; on most television stations, sports with male athletes are broadcast far more often than those with female athletes because people seem to discredit girls as being less skilled or weaker than boys. However, I think that it is important for female and male athletes to have an equal playing field in American society so that people can realize that sports is a coed domain and not just for men. Gender does not have an impact on the caliber of an athlete, and it is just as important for girls to be active as it is for boys.

Where athletes have been working-out and getting tone and muscular for years, in the last 5 – 10 years, more celebrities have personal trainers and are getting that ripped "6-pack" look. What do you think about girls lifting weights? Is it good? Bad? Why?  

I think that for reasons of personal fitness, lifting weights, for both boys and girls, is a beneficial thing. However, I think what determines whether it is ultimately good or bad is the reasons for which is done and the extent to which it is done. If boys can lift weights, then girls should be able to lift weights too. Lifting weights is often beneficial for toning muscles and building up those that are weaker and less dominant, which can then be useful in sports and other active habits. In this way, lifting weights is good. However, if girls are lifting weights only for superficial reasons – because it is a trend and celebrities are doing it – then I think that lifting weights could turn into a bad thing, especially if it is done in excessive amounts that could end up being harmful. Again, it all depends on the circumstances.