Girls Involved in Sports Lack Time to Mess Up

As a junior at Los Alamitos High School, I agree that many girls, including myself, who are involved in sports exemplify the benefits spoken of in Elizabeth Weil’s “Good Sports” (Jan. 2).

The article addresses the belief that girls involved in sports have increased self-esteem, reduced depression and reduced drug abuse and pregnancy. However, the real cause for these benefits lies simply in time, and not the sport itself.

Girls involved in sports at the high school level have no time to worry about depression, experiment with drugs or become involved in a relationship where pregnancy is a possibility.

LAURA BIERY

Seal Beach

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In June, I will graduate from a masters program in nursing. It seems as if I am always pushing myself from one challenge to the next. I have wondered why I push myself to do more, to be more.

Elizabeth Weil’s “Good Sports” provided me with a glimmer of insight. Sports were an important part of my youth. As a girl, I lived to play, to play hard. I was usually the self-designated team captain or quarterback. In high school I swam and played water polo.

My feminist sister chides me when I spend a Sunday watching men play football. Can’t she remember the feeling of immortality as you catch a ball as you score a touchdown? Doesn’t she remember the invincibility of running as fast as you can? I still remember.

L. CAROLINE LaLONDE

Pasadena