Do I let my daughter play tackle football or insist on soccer?

Jun 25·1 min read

She's 10 and wants to try football with the boys. Wife thinks I should encourage it but I'm torn. Not because she's a girl, I don't care about that, but because I want her to understand certain responsibilities that come with being a young woman. She can do whatever she wants but I also want to teach her discernment about which battles to fight. Does that make sense or am I stuck in the past here?

3 comments156 views

Comments(3)

AAustinRegularJun 27

I get the concern about safety but tackle football at 10 with proper coaching is solid. The real question is whether she genuinely wants this or if she's just following the boys. Have that conversation with her first.

CChris M.RegularJun 26

Your wife's right on this one. 10 is still young enough that the contact isn't as brutal as high school tackle. If she wants to do it, you're the parent who let her try something hard. That matters more than the sport itself.

JJayson H.New DadJun 26

Let her play football. She wants to try it. If she decides it's not for her she can switch to soccer. But if you push her toward soccer just because she's a girl, that's a message that sticks. Let her find her own way.