GIRL TALK: The “Concussion Crisis” in Girls’ Soccer?
Talk about irony: the same week that Rock Center with Brian Williams aired a story about a growing “concussion crisis” in girls’ soccer, I also got the curriculum for my 11-year-old daughter Maya’s soccer practice: “Heading (attacking and defensive situations, being brave).”
I definitely watched the Rock Center story with concern. Research shows that girls report twice as many concussions as boys in sports they both play.
The report aired Wednesday, and Maya practiced heading on Thursday. On Sunday we sat on the sidelines watching Maya’s team face off against a northern New Jersey opponent. The girls fought to control the ball, with neither team clearly dominating.
Then, as if in slow motion, I watched the ball sail through the air toward Maya at midfield. She stepped into the ball, leaned forward, and headed it toward the goal. Of course, she was fine. I’m sure she felt pleased with herself for putting the new technique into play in a game situation. To be honest, I was pleased myself, although anxious at the same time.
And here are the questions I’ve been turning over since the game: is this “crisis” one that should change the game of youth soccer for girls? Should heading be banned? One expert in the Rock Center story, Bob Cantu, the director of sports medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA suggests that it should, because “girls as a group have far weaker necks.”
Naturally I take concussions seriously and would not want to do anything that could jeopardize Maya’s health. But I’m not sure I buy this so-called crisis. For one thing, the research draws on data from high school athletes. How much can we generalize from that population to the nearly 1.5 million girls who play youth soccer in the US every year?
What’s more, is this thinking about girls’ weakness that much different from earlier arguments suggesting women shouldn’t be educated because our brains are smaller than men’s? Or that women shouldn’t walk alone at night because we face the threat of rape?
It seems to me that ideas about “protection” are often a guise for social constraints on women and girls. What athletic opportunities would we curtail in the name of “safety” for girls?
For now, at least, I want Maya to practice “being brave,” and if that means heading the ball, I’ll be cheering her on.
But GWP readers, what do you think? How do you think about “risk” and “safety” for your daughters or sons?
Last 5 posts by Allison Kimmich
- GIRL TALK: Advice for the Class of 2012 - April 27th, 2012
- GIRL TALK: Quick Hits on Motherhood and Feminism - February 22nd, 2012
- Girl Talk: Art for Change - November 16th, 2011
- GIRL TALK: Immigration is a Feminist Issue - July 21st, 2011
- GIRL TALK: The Other Sex Talk - May 18th, 2011
May 17th, 2012 at 8:09 am
This is such a difficult issue. I have actually heard a commentator say that *all* heading for youth soccer should be banned — girls and boys. But then I’m not familiar with the research you cite. I do wonder whether, as a society, we will have the strength to change sports that we love (soccer, football, ice hockey) if it turns out they’re far more dangerous than we had thought. As it seems to be turning out. I hope we do. But I also hope we don’t unnecessarily reinforce gendered stereotypes in this larger goal.
May 18th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
perhaps even young players should have sports medicine professionals on site during games and practices
i think there are a few key symptoms of repetitive concussions that a pro could spot - to help decide when to remove a play from a game for some length of time
May 18th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Thanks, Heather and Cicely. I definitely agree with you both that we need to take concussions seriously and look for broad solutions like the ones you both propose to keep kids safe.
June 4th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Allison - For years, my pre-teen daughter was active playing softball, soccer, gymanstics and the high flyer for cheerleading. During these times, I do not recall her getting a concussion. However, 2 days after the football/cheering season ended, we had a family b-day party for her (She did not have a party with friends because their team made the play-offs during that time). Well, the concussion happened that day at the family party… she fell off a tire swing! That was Nov. 2010. It is now, June 2012 and she has not yet been released by the Dr. to play any sports. This effected our whole family in every aspect. She can’t wait to get back on a field. I don’t know if I want her to. My son (3 1/2 years younger) plays many sports. I watch with dread and excitement at every game. My daughter misses being out there so much. The bottomline is that we need to educate the kids, the parents, school staff and coaches!!! Concussions are very serious. Don’t ever take them lightly!! I hope your daughter NEVER has to go through what my daughter has/is going through.