Mothers of School-Age Children
Active Living
How do I get my adolescent daughter passionate about sport and active living?
The adolescent girl – get her passionate about sport and active living!
During her teenage years, a girl will assert herself and be passionate about everything that affects her body, her appearance, and her relationships with others. Although physical activity is low in this age group, teen boys are more physically active than girls of the same age.i
At this age, social relationships and events become more important. Physical activities that conflict with these may be left by the wayside. On the other hand, a local club or school team with a good team spirit can become a key social relationship that provides teen girls with support and friendship. Team sports that involve many players (such as soccer and rugby) and club sports (such as ultimate frisbee, flag football, cross-country running, and rowing) are ways for girls to nurture many different relationships. Sports that are more individual such as gymnastics, track and field, running, in-line or speedskating, and triathlons teach a teen girl a lot about focus and being self-motivated. So every sport has its merits!
By this age it will be clear where your daughter’s talents lie. While she may decide to get involved in full-time sport and training, natural breaks such as family holidays, school trips, and summer vacation will help her growing body to get a break from training. If she decides that she has had enough active living and that other things in life are more important to her, then be happy that she sport has helped her gain the confidence and focus to decide on her own priorities in life!
i Health Canada, 1999. Towards a Healthy Future - Second Report on the Health of Canadians. Prepared by the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health for the Meeting of the Ministers of Health, Charlottetown, P.E.I., September 1999.
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