In high school, girls in sports drop out at higher rates than boys. Kathryn Ackerman, a physician and dirctor of the Female Athlete Program in the sports medicine division of Boston's Children's Hospital says that girls in sports deal with numerous societal pressures. They feel like they should look feminine, should avoid acting "bossy" and should have certain body types--among other issues. Girls and women also experience higher rates of concussions and ACL tears than male athletes, she said. Another challenge is a condition called "relative energy deficiency" caused in part by not eating enough. Ackerman gives tips for parents of girls in sports and suggests parents visit https://www.childrenshospital.org/programs/female-athlete-program to learn more about the challenges female athletes face. Send us ideas for podcast guests: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/ Visit our blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597

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