According to the Sports Financial Literacy Academy, women are stereotypically seen as much weaker and less athletic than men. Heavy criticism of these women can lead to a negative attitude and a lack of self-confidence for women in sports.

Hannah Lafevre, a student at Kent State University and player on the club softball team has been playing sports for about 12 years. She said she feels like she relates more to the male population because sports are so male directed.

“It was always a struggle to find more female counterparts that enjoyed sports as much as I did,” said Lafevre.

According to Women in Sport, more than one million teenage girls have fallen out of love with the sports that they once played due to the fear of feeling judged by others, lack of confidence, pressures of schoolwork and not feeling safe outside. 

Reaghan Broadbent, a sophomore fashion merchandising major, is a member of the KSU club softball team and said that she has played since she was young.

“My parents signed me up for it, so it really wasn’t my choice,” Broadbent said. “The reason I stuck with it was because it was just something fun to do in the summer and I met so many people that I am still close with.”

Broadbent said that there is a difference between men’s and women’s sports and it is not hard to see. 

“All men’s teams always get more attention which leads to a stronger foundation and more support, even financially,” said Broadbent.

Broadbent said that she has personally experienced the stigma surrounding women in sports while in high school, more so than when she went to college and started playing club softball.

“I do feel like since I have played sports my whole life, that there was definitely a difference with how the boys’ teams were treated and how the girls’ teams were treated,” Broadbent said.

Emilee Cardani is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].