The rise of women’s sports—and why fathers should share it with their children: Part 1
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EmailFathers introducing children to women’s athletics can increase how children see respect for others.
The visibility and impact of women’s sports have grown substantially in recent years, fueled by increasing popularity, higher attendance and expanding national interest. Women’s athletics continue to reach historic milestones, including the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team winning Olympic gold in 1998, 2018 and 2026, a record‑setting 92,003 fans at Nebraska’s women’s volleyball match in 2023, and 365 million global viewers of the 2022 Women's European Soccer Championship. Fathers play an important role in introducing children to diverse activities and should consider watching and attending women‑led sporting events to strengthen family relationships and child development.
Fathers who watch or attend women’s sports with their children model genuine respect for women and reinforce the value of women’s achievements. Their involvement shows daughters that women can pursue and accomplish their goals and teaches sons the importance of appropriately supporting and celebrating women. By engaging children in women’s athletics, fathers strengthen family relationships while demonstrating healthy, respectful behavior toward the women in their children’s lives.
Given the significant surge in popularity and visibility of women’s athletics, fathers and male caregivers are encouraged to grow alongside this progress. This advancement can be seen in the rising viewership of the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament – the women’s final outdrew the men’s final for the first time ever in 2024 – and the ongoing expansion in the WNBA to 18 teams by 2030. By engaging with women’s athletics, fathers show their children that they respect women not only as individuals, but also as skilled athletes and talented professionals. Children in turn understand that everyone deserves to be treated with admiration, courtesy and appreciation.
Fathers can strengthen relationships with their children by engaging in women’s sports together. Attend collegiate or professional women’s games, or support girls’ sports at local schools, including basketball, soccer, track, swimming and even water polo. Showing up, cheering on female athletes, and discussing what everyone enjoyed reinforces that women are valued and deserving of equal support. These shared experiences promote positivity, create meaningful family connections, and help fathers model respect and emotional balance for their children.
Women’s sports at the youth, collegiate and professional levels remain accessible, affordable and highly engaging for families. By exposing children to women’s athletics, fathers help them see that women compete at elite levels, provide exciting entertainment, and serve as strong, positive role models for future generations.
You can learn more about child development, parent and caregiver webinars and family activities by visiting the Michigan State University Extension Child and Family Development webpage and the MI Stronger Family Facebook page.
