Gender difference

[giantschwinn]

I set up practice matches for my son.
I ask a boy's Dad, "Does Johnny want to play a match on Sunday?" The reply usually goes "Sure, what time?"
I ask a girl's dad, "Does Jennifer want to play a match on Sunday?" The reply usually goes "Let me ask her if she wants to play and I will get back to you."

My sample size is small. Just wondering if you are seeing this as well. It seems like girls have more say than boys.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Never noticed that. Our juniors all practiced together. Gender was never a questions or concern.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Could be a coincidence. But there is often a noticeable difference in interest / availability later in HS (and in college). A lot of girls on HS teams are eager to play in their first 2 or 3 years but many have other interests or priorities later in their HS years. Even in college, a lot of guys are eager to play intramural sports but it can be a challenge to get females for coed teams.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I set up practice matches for my son.
I ask a boy's Dad, "Does Johnny want to play a match on Sunday?" The reply usually goes "Sure, what time?"
I ask a girl's dad, "Does Jennifer want to play a match on Sunday?" The reply usually goes "Let me ask her if she wants to play and I will get back to you."

My sample size is small. Just wondering if you are seeing this as well. It seems like girls have more say than boys.

The interesting question is what would Jennifer's dad say if the potential opponent was a girl. Would it make any difference? [ie is he blowing off the match your son because he's a boy and using the delay tactic of "I'll get back to you"?]

 

[giantschwinn]

Good point. But Jennifer's dad did get back to me and the match happened. These are 7, 8 year old kids not teenagers. But I really think he had to ask her first before scheduling the match. I think maybe it's the dynamic between dad and girl vs dad and boy.

 

[sureshs]

Good point. But Jennifer's dad did get back to me and the match happened. These are 7, 8 year old kids not teenagers. But I really think he had to ask her first before scheduling the match. I think maybe it's the dynamic between dad and girl vs dad and boy.

Yes, and also the fact that Mom may have something planned for daughter.

 

[dominikk1985]

Also at a certain age dealing with the Other sex might feel strange for kids.this doesn't even have to be sexually motivated, even pre puberty starting around age 4 until puberty kids tend to play more with their own gender and might feel uncomfortable around the other gender.

So maybe that girls parents want to make sure their girl doesn't feel uncomfortable playing with a boy she doesn't know.

But it also could mean nothing and just be coincidence.

 

[giantschwinn]

Yes makes sense. Maybe I am just a tyrant. I set up a match and tell my son hey you have a match with so and so on this day. He never complains or doesn't know any better yet.

I hear people say kids need to take ownership of their tennis. But I think at this young age, parents need to help out with finding matches or nothing will happen.