Today I took Thing 1 and Thing 2 to a women’s soccer game on campus, with friends (hi SA!) and it wasn’t exactly the perfect outing - it was extremely hot, there was no shade, we had a long walk each way, and because we had to get back for swimming, we were tight on time. Non-optimal. Significant whining ensued and we didn’t see very much of the game, but you know what, I’m still glad we went, because it reminded me about what an antidote women’s collegiate sports are for so many of the things that fry me.
First of all, it’s a space where there is no marketing to your kids and the only licsenced character you’ll find is the school mascot (a few of which are offensive, but most of which are perfectly fine, and some of which are entertaining because they are so bizarre Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C).
It’s also time away from TV and all the other screens in your kids lives, and often gets you outside as well! Personally, I like to go to soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and lacrosse in the spring…
Any college sporting event will have benefits A and B, but if you opt for women’s sports (and you should!), then you also have excellent female role models on display - strong, active, supportive of one another, confident. It’s good stuff - for young girls and young boys. Not to mention, supporting women’s sports is a big morale boost as most games are underattended.
Related to that, the games offer girls not only a chance to see another type of womanhood, they also offer them a chance to envision themselves as athletes. And the record is very clear on the impact of team sports for girls — 5 stars on about a bazillion levels.
So, since I’m all tense about gender and marketing and media – this is gooood.
But even if you don’t care about these issues…
It’s a great, kid friendly environment - kids can run around, it’s nice and loud (so if yor kids are loud, it isn’t irritating, it’s team spirit).
Younger kids really enjoy supporting the team - Thing 1 loves to dress in the school colors from hair clips to shoes - and you can paint signs if you like and/or make make-shift noisemakers by putting coins or beans in empty tupperware containers or rinsed out soda bottles. You can get as into it as you like!
It’s all ages, baby. Even your tricky teens are likley to enjoy going to a local campus and checking out the college scene. They may not want to sit next to you, but that’s okay. You might not want to sit next to them either 
You can go on your schedule — see all of the game, or just part — it’s up to you. I don”t know about you, but I love that (read as: desparately need that) flexibility.
Plus…. let’s not forget most women’s sporting events at the college level are FREE or very nearly so! Now THAT you can’t beat.
So, find a local college or university and check out their website - it’s a great thing to do! Even if you don’t have one in your neighborhood — if there is one an hour away, you can pack a picnic and make a day of it!
Although I will say that today while we were at the women’s soccer game, there was a (men’s) football game starting in the adjacent field. Thing 1 said — “Why doesn’t the band play for the soccer players?”
candace
October 6, 2007 | 10:51 pm1
you’ve been inspiring me. I get off track and the little insidious influences start to take over. I love that Hannah plays soccer. I took her out of dance when they pimped her out jonbenet style for the recital. maybe heading toward the good stuff will balance out the other stuff that inevitably creeps in. That, and me not buying any more princess crap! But somehow it’s OK with me when I let her crown her brother and make him queen.
And lately, I can distract her with Jack Sparrow too.
I’m going to find female college soccer team nearby. great suggestion. If I can keep my one year old from running on the field…..
subarctic mama
October 7, 2007 | 3:09 am2
I must have a fighting okra t-shirt. I love the boxing gloves.
This is a great reminder for me. We live in a university town and there’s women’s basketball to go to this year. I haven’t thought of taking the girls yet. The one-year-old’s hobby is running away and laughing, so public events can be a challenge.
I did take them to an opening at a gallery yesterday. I think a game might be easier (as long as she didn’t run onto the court).
mom
October 7, 2007 | 1:45 pm3
OMG subarctic mama - a gallery - you are one brave woman. You can def. handle the sports scene!
And Candance - I like the way you framed this - as “heading toward the good stuff.” That’s useful for me too - I think I tend to define myself by what I dislike — how glass half empty of me. I do seek out good influences (hence the book and play idea lists above, etc.), and probably put equal effort into both avoidance and pursuit, but mentally, to emphasize the pursuit is more empowering. It is also easier to discuss with nonbelievers
Which never hurts — no one probably calls you uptight or radical for saying you love wonder woman, but if you say you are uncomfortable with barbie, obviously you must be raising a freak.
The Secret Ingredient
October 8, 2007 | 11:37 pm4
YES—support women’s (and girl’s) sports!! Not only are the games not well attended, but other than a group of fun guys from my old high school who were the unofficial cheerleaders for our girls’ soccer team—-I’ve never seen cheerleaders for women’s games (much less a band!). My mom always said “why cheer for boys playing sports when YOU can play sports yourself?” Go mom. Watching the “big girls” play sports will hopefully encourage my little girls to want to play too.
Marjorie
October 9, 2007 | 2:10 pm5
Absolutely. A lot of us take care to say things like “firefighter” instead of “fireman” to make sure we aren’t telling our kids that women can’t have certain jobs, and this is another excellent example of that. There’s a lot we can show boys and girls when they’re young and more in our control to counteract the stereotypes out there. If we’re showing our kids positive images of athletics–the positive side of competition, the sportsmanship (uh, oh–sportswomanship, too) the women’s teams as well as the men, then to them: that’s athletics. It’s not just the NBA and NFL and the big money-makers. Great post.
candace
October 11, 2007 | 9:16 pm6
in response to your response (heh, heh)
I am so hoping that a feminist rises out of this generation in a way that feels relatable and accessible. (wishful thinking what with britney spears and lindsay lohan being what gets the most attention right now)
It’s still the F word so you are so right about it being easier to open up a dialogue with people who misunderstand the concept if everyone can go toward the positive.