Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Sporting news...

The Los Angeles Times reports that marketers are aggressively targeting cheerleaders because they are often the girls others look up to. At cheerleading camps and competitions, girls are flooded with samples of mascara, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, sports drinks and more. Children’s advocates oppose such tactics because they conscript teens to be unknowing shills for product brands. Commercial Alert’s Robert Weissman adds that giving beauty products to young girls introduces them to corporate standards of beauty too early. See www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cheerlead2apr02,1,96651.story.

The new Sports Museum of America, opening next month in New York City, is partnering with the Women’s Sports Foundation to house the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center. That Center includes the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. On June 9, the 2008 honorees will be inducted: Olympic long distance runner Hasiba Boulmerka, LPGA champion golfer Hisako Higuchi, Olympic gold medal gymnast Shannon Miller and collegiate softball coaching great Sue Enquist. Learn more at www.sportsmuseum.com or www.womenssportsfoundation.org.

Former New York Times sports columnist Robert Lipsyte reflects on the progress of women’s sports during the Title IX era, and what the future may hold for our daughters. This thoughtful male perspective is fodder for interesting conversation with your daughter about civil rights and the sports culture. See www.thenation.com/doc/20080407/lipsyte.


Copyright 2008. Source and website: www.dadsanddaughters.org

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