The dropout of teenage girls in sports is part of a global dynamic. According to the article, the decline in memberships also affects boys, but the gap is created from childhood, with fewer girls being directed towards clubs. The challenge is therefore one of initial “engagement” rather than abandonment. “It’s not a motivation issue,” but rather a social and sports environment issue. The barriers are multiple: academic pressure, body changes, peer pressure, lack of female role models, and inadequate supervision. According to the MGEN/Kantar study, 45% of young girls drop out “despite themselves”. The weight of social norms and images shared on social networks exacerbates this phenomenon, in a system still very focused on competition. In response, federations are adjusting their offerings. Development of recreational practices, mixed or more flexible formats. Volleyball illustrates this strategy with a drop in dropout rates. The challenge is also economic: to expand and retain the base of female participants to support the growth of women’s sports.
