Teenage girls and public space/facilities : an update

This is so interesting OP! My first thought was that sports facilities aren’t gendered and it isn’t the council’s fault that girls don’t bother to use the facilities and sit around chatting instead. But then I thought about it some more and you are so right! 👏

Boys physically force girls out of the large spaces, by kicking balls at them / sexually harassing them if they stay.

The activities girls (and women!) prefer are looked down on as if football is somehow superior to yoga (when the opposite is obviously the case).

What girls really need in my opinion is single sex facilities, because in mixed sex facilities they will always, always, be bullied and harassed oht of the space. But that’ll never happen in this country. So next best option perhaps is more small space facilities that can be booked perhaps? Ao instead of the whole area being a huge football pitch it could be several smaller spaces for yoga / dance etc which have key entry and can be booked maybe? I don’t know, haven’t thought about it much yet.

The bias starts so young. At my child’s school ALL of the sport is team based and competitive. Actually DS8 was sadly asking why there always has to be a winner and why they can’t just exercise without it always being competitive. He is so right 😢

Hi OP, if you haven't already, the Women in Property organisation is a fantastic network of women working in every sector of the built environment.

I Imagine how marvellous it would be if parents of teenage boys would raise them NOT to be selfish, aggressive, abusive and destructive.

We do try, ginghamstarfish, we do try. As I’m sure all generations have in the past. Hasn’t worked out yet, has it?

OP I came across this thread from a different thread, fully support your initiative, and in my fantasy world public parks would include some form of music such as stationary djembe drums for all to use, possibly in conjunction with that fabulous stage in the pdf of ideas for spaces.

No idea how that would be regulated for nearby residents and noise levels, and I’m sure your initiative has moved on swiftly since March (actually, I’m guessing you’re still battling your local council—been there, done that), but loads of support here if you want it. Cheers.

@makespaceforgirls

I am involved with the Trails Trust on and Horse Access Campaign UK on Facebook.

It is a constant source of frustration for equestrian groups that horse riders are excluded from spaces or required to pay for expensive annual passes in areas where huge free provision is made for cyclists.

Horse riders are predominantly female. Cyclists predominantly male. Horse riding is a sport which is great for increasing female activity and fitness, well into old age. It is very inclusive of age, sex and disability. Many women report feeling safer accessing the countryside on horseback than on foot or bike.

However large land owners like the National Trust and the Forestry Commission exclude horse riders from entirely suitable trails while improving facility for cyclists neglecting the indirect discrimination.

In addition councils, national parks and Sustrans often neglect the needs of horse riders when planning new trails or upgrading old ones.

Please pop over to the Facebook pages The Trails Trust and Horse Access Campaign UK for more information about this issue. I am sure there would be interest in working with you.

Wow, OP, this is fantastic! I can't believe I have reached my (advanced) age and never thought about this topic - but yes, thinking back to my own youth, yes it was always about boys. Can't believe there have been no advancements and still no regard for girls. Surely there must be women working in council planning departments etc these days. I Imagine how marvellous it would be if parents of teenage boys would raise them NOT to be selfish, aggressive, abusive and destructive. Sad to think of all the wasted potential of girls.

Did you happen to tune in to Women’s Hours yesterday @makespaceforgirls?

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000t4sr

Have you seen this in today's Guardian?

Very much along similar lines. It's wider, but does specifically mention parks.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/16/the-guardian-view-on-urban-insecurity-build-a-feminist-city?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

It really is.

Hopping onto this thread for later reading as it's so interesting.

Particularly important given the events of the last few days.

I think this is a really good thing OP has done. It's getting everyone thinking about spaces for girls and women.

This is fascinating OP, and I must admit I haven't really thought much about it. Looking back, the sports spaces in the park near where I grew up was always dominated by boys and I never considered using them.

I live near a large park with a very popular playground at the bottom near the main road. The playground is huge with lots of different equipment, and people with children come from miles away to use it. Opposite the playground is a modest-sized skate park, which is also very popular. It does seem to be dominated by boys, but I have seen girls using it. I will make sure to have a proper look next time I am there. DH has taken DD to the skate park to practice on her scooter, and he says that the kids there are always encouraging and considerate. I don't know what it's like later in the evening once the children & parents in the playground have gone home. I know the lighting there is an issue, so I can't imagine girls feeling very safe there.

Lots of food for thought - thanks OP.

So pleased someone is doing this.

Great news

So thrilled to hear about the progress you're making. Absolutely fantastic!

Great news OP. Glad to see this fascinating thread near the top of the board.

A very important thread at an important time.

Apology - This is somewhat off thread, but the Government survey on violence against women has been reopened if anyone missed the opportunity to complete it, and would like to now. Closes on 26th March

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg-call-for-evidence

When I was a teen, my friend group was mixed-sex, so we never really had this issue as we would all just go hang out at the parks together. I quite liked going to the skate park to eye-up the attractive older boys too.

In primary school, the girls used to join in playing dodgeball and bulldog with the boys, too.

I appreciate the need for it though, as clearly can't argue with the evidence. It's so far away from my experience though which made me initially think "wtf?"