Little Girls in Pretty Boxes

Little Girls in Pretty Boxes is a book written by Joan Ryan discussing the issues of overconformity within the realms of elite female gymnastics and figure skating. The book, written in 1995, details the rigorous emotional and physical training endured by such young female athletes in order to be the best in the world. Ryan states, "... that the image of these athletes’ beauty, glamour, class and sophistication conceals a troubled reality, with physical problems of eating disorders, weakened bones, stunted growth, debilitating and fatal injuries, psychological issues such as depression and low self-esteem, and life sacrifices of dropping out of school, losing the chance to "be a child", and becoming isolated from their peers and families."

The book description on Amazon.com states, "From starvation diets and debilitating injuries to the brutal tactics of tyrannical gymnastics guru Bela Karolyi, "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes" portrays the horrors endured by girls at the hands of their coaches and sometimes their own families. An acclaimed expose that has already helped reform Olympic sports -- now updated to reflect the latest developments in women's gymnastics and figure skating -- it continues to plead for sanity, safety, and an end to our national obsession: winning at any cost."

“You can talk a kid into being healthy for 

as long as you need her. 

Once the meet is over, you can let her be hurt.”

- Steve Nunno, former coach of 

US Olympic Gold Medalist, Shannon Miller

I think that these sports portray an excellent example of how dangerous overconformity in sports can be. As I am in the middle of reading this book, I can't help but think about whether or not this is an issue that is more prevalent among female athletes or not. I feel that most female athletes probably have accepted the notion that if they want respect and fame for their accomplishments, they have to go above and beyond what it is that male athletes do (in comparison).

This book is excellent so far and I highly encourage anyone interested in sports psychology or just womens athletics in general to read it. The images of these girls participating in such grueling training regimines makes me think that they are working harder, at a younger age, than many famous male athletes do just to get less fame. Is the cost worth it? Their health? Their future? 

What do you think?

Ryan, J. (2000). Little Girls in Pretty Boxes. Chicago: Grand Central Publishing.