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I have less of an issue with the idea of matching nicknames or number 2 than I do with the name "twinki". I am very sensitive to the need to be "feminine" that creeps into girls' psyches at this age. Lots of research shows that at this age girls' academic prowess diminishes with the onset of puberty (esp in Math and Science). There is huge overt and subtle pressures on girls in our society to be beautiful and skinny. Although there are a lot of improving messages this one in sports really bothers me.
My daughter was on a soccer team at age 6 that was called the Cuties. We pushed hard for that to be changed for this very reason. It is fine when they are 6, but at 12 (the teams often keep the name for years) it is not what I want on my kids' jersey. It demeans the equality of the female athlete to have to be cute and bubbly to succeed.
Stepping sheepishly off my soapbox, but this kind of issue really gets me going!!!
Karen
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