Sisterhood in Sports: How Female Athletes Collaborate and Compete

Sports psychologist and former competitive ultrarunner Steidinger takes an in-depth look at women and girls in sports in this informative book. Drawing upon interviews with a wide range of female athletes, neurology, and anecdotes from her psychology practice, the author notes differences between the male and female brain that influence their attitude toward sports: “Whereas girl athletes tend toward best friendship and collaborative, emotional relationships, boy athletes line up in order of dominance in teams and have activity-based, (thinking) relationships.” Male and female athletes, she asserts, do not “think alike.” Even in the competitive sisterhood of sports girls “just wanna have fun.” Girls do best when they are encouraged to value and enjoy their relationships with friends. Each chapter concludes with a bullet box of strategies (e.g., “Ten Mental Strategies for Teenage bffs,” “Ten Mental Strategies for Coaching Female Athletes,” or “Ten Family Strategies for Supporting a Young Female Athlete). Female athletes and those who strive to support them will find plenty of practical ideas here that will help girls succeed and find fulfillment in sports as well as in their family and social lives. (Nov.)