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Boxing a Growing Sport Among Girls
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| Wednesday, November 29th, 2006 | Robert Seith | CWK Producer |
“Doing any activity that fills their lives and creates some modem of self-esteem is really what we’re looking for.”
– Theresa Rhor-Kirchgraber, M.D., Emory University
The number of female members of USA Boxing – the national amateur boxing organization - has tripled in the past decade. And many more girls seem to be taking on the sport as a hobby.
For years, high school girls have been welcome in sports like track, gymnastics, basketball and soccer.
Now they’re getting into the ring, and hitting each other.
18-year-old Laquinta and 9-year-old Mariah are learning a sport that wasn’t an option for girls a generation ago: Boxing!
"Part of the allure is being able to do something that has been off-limits for a while," says Theresa Rhor-Kirchgraber, M.D., with Emory University. "I think that’s always an attraction to girls as well as women in other activities."
But Mariah and Laquinta chose boxing for the simplest reason of all.
"It’s fun," says Mariah, "And you don’t get in trouble for hitting, because that’s what you’re supposed to do."
"I’m getting exercise," adds Laquinta, "And it’s working for me, and it’s fun for me, and it’s just something I can enjoy."
Still, experts say, some parents will worry.
"Probably injury is the biggest thing - and they worry a little about how their daughter is going to be viewed," says Dr. Rhor-Kirchgraber. "Are they going to be viewed as too manly? Are they going to be viewed as too macho?"
But she says today kids are redefining sports… and throwing out old rules about gender.
"The 'it’s not a girl thing' is becoming a bit passé," says Dr. Rhor-Kirchgraber.
She says that, for both boys and girls, head injuries are a concern. Parents should make sure their child is properly supervised, wears the correct headgear, and fights opponents who are evenly matched.
But if a girl likes to box, she says, it’s a great sport for building both fitness - and confidence.
"I think your daughter should be involved in something she enjoys doing regardless of what it is. As long as she does it in a safe environment, and as long as she does it with the proper protection," says Dr. Rhor-Kirchgraber.
What We Need To Know
- Up-to-date and properly fitting safety gear is important. All participants should wear face-protective helmets. Older girls are encouraged to wear chest protectors as well. (USA Boxing)
- Experts say that in boxing, perhaps more so than in other sports, parents should make sure their child’s gym has the proper training and supervision. (Dr. Rhor-Kirchgraber)
- Boxing actually ranks behind traditional high school contact sports, like football and wrestling, for injury rates. But since the main target in boxing is the head, the injuries that do occur often raise more concern. (Dr. Rhor-Kirchgraber)
Resources
- National Safety Council
- USA Boxing
- Emory Sports Medicine
