Coed sports teams are beneficial for many children, particularly children under age 9. As children's bodies change and ideas form about the opposite sex, coed teams become less beneficial. However, until children reach puberty, coed sports teams can give children the opportunity to perform beneficial physical activity while interacting with and building friendships with children of the opposite sex.
Preventing Gender Stereotyping
Before a child reaches age 9, he is less likely to form gender stereotyping thoughts about children of the opposite sex. As peer groups begin to form in late-elementary-school-aged children, negative thoughts about the opposite sex's abilities begin to be communicated. However, children who play together on coed teams are less likely to develop and believe stereotypical ideas of the opposite sex.
Gender Equality
Boys and girls who participate in sports together are less likely to form thoughts of gender inequality throughout childhood and adulthood. Interacting with the opposite sex before views of gender roles develop helps children realize equality between the sexes. Sports, especially, give children the opportunity to witness the physical and mental capabilities of each sex.
Female Confidence
Particularly in adolescent and teen years, females feel the need to prove themselves as capable and equal to males. Boys and girls tend to play harder to prove strength and ability, and a girl who proves she can perform as well as boys will gain confidence in her ability. As boys and girls go through puberty and boys' strengths becomes more obvious and pronounced, girls who are particularly gifted in athletic ability can build talents and physical capabilities by playing sports with strong male players.
Building Friendships
During the period in childhood when boys and girls tend to find friendships with others of the same sex, boys and girls who spend time together playing on the same team might find friendship with members of the opposite sex. Aside from personal relationships, working closely alongside children of the opposite sex helps boys and girls develop respect for one another, which could follow each child into the adolescent years.
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