Sports Uniforms: Impact on Female Athletes and the Need for Change

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Traditional sports uniforms can make female athletes feel sexualized and contribute to high dropout rates among teenage girls.

Female athletes report feeling vulnerable to objectifying remarks and catcalls due to their uniforms, negatively affecting their performance and overall well-being.

Female athletes advocate for more practical and comfortable uniform options, such as shorts or looser bottoms, that do not compromise their performance or well-being.

Progress has been made towards providing female athletes with more appropriate uniform choices, but more research and changes are needed to promote an inclusive and supportive environment for female athletes.

Female athletes and advocates are calling for increased research into women's experiences of training and injuries, as well as changes to sports uniforms to empower women and girls to participate in sports without feeling exposed or embarrassed.

Recent studies, such as one conducted by England hockey player Tess Howard, have highlighted the “identity tensions” created by sports uniforms for teenage girls.

These tensions make girls feel sexualized, leading to a significant number of them dropping out of sports.

According to a 2022 World Health Organization study, 85% of adolescent girls do not get enough exercise, with clothing cited as a major contributing factor.

Female athletes across various sports have expressed their discomfort with tight and revealing uniforms.

Some athletes, such as Jess Watanabe, co-captain of a girls’ volleyball team, have called for more autonomy in choosing what to wear during games, arguing that their uniforms do not affect their performance and should be a matter of personal preference.

Inadequate Support and Protection for Female Athletes

Many female athletes also report feeling vulnerable to objectifying remarks and catcalls due to their uniforms.

These experiences negatively affect their performance and overall well-being. Grace Gormley, a junior on a girls’ water polo team, says that feeling sexualized can divert their focus and put their minds elsewhere, ultimately impacting their performance.

Gormley believes that more administrative support for female athletes is needed, as well as uniform options that make players feel safer and more comfortable.

According to a 2022 World Health Organization study, 85% of adolescent girls do not get enough exercise, with clothing cited as a major contributing factor.

Tradition vs. Practicality: A Call for Change

Some sports, such as lacrosse and field hockey, have maintained traditional uniforms, including skirts, since the early 20th century.

However, these traditions are rooted in outdated, misogynistic views that prioritized women’s allure over their athletic abilities.

Female athletes today advocate for more practical and comfortable uniform options, such as shorts or looser bottoms, that do not compromise their performance or well-being.

Aspen Stitt, a junior on a varsity field hockey team, says she would prefer to wear shorts instead of the traditional skirt, as it makes her feel uncomfortable.

She believes that many of her teammates would also prefer a change in uniform design, with shorts being a more practical option.

A Growing Movement for Change

In recent years, some progress has been made towards providing female athletes with more appropriate uniform choices.

For instance, England’s Lionesses soccer team has switched from white shorts to navy blue, and other teams have followed suit.

As more women participate in sports, it is crucial to support them by providing uniform choices that respect their preferences and address their concerns.

Female athletes and advocates are calling for increased research into women’s experiences of training and injuries, as well as changes to sports uniforms to empower women and girls to participate in sports without feeling exposed or embarrassed.

By doing so, society can help promote a more inclusive and supportive environment for female athletes of all ages.