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1975. The Controversial Push to Make Girls Athletically Perfect

2026-05-22 News & Politics
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David Hoffman
David Hoffman
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Description

When this film was made there was a push in America and it was extremely common in fitness media aimed at girls and women in the 1960s and 1970s. By the mid-1970s, physical fitness for women was being promoted much more aggressively in schools, television, magazines, and educational films. But the message was often framed through attractiveness, femininity, and desirability rather than strength, health, or athletic achievement. • “A fit girl is attractive.” • Exercise helps maintain a slim figure. • Physical activity should not make girls appear “too masculine.” • Fitness was connected to poise, posture, charm, and popularity. • Girls were encouraged to exercise partly to appeal to boys or future husbands. Earlier decades often discouraged strenuous athletics for girls altogether, claiming it might harm femininity or reproductive health. By the 1970s, especially after Title IX in the United States, girls’ participation in sports increased dramatically. But many educators and filmmakers still softened the idea of female athleticism by tying it to beauty and heterosexual appeal. A revealing detail in many of these films is the language used. They often avoid words like “strength,” “power,” or “competition” and instead emphasize: • grace, • figure, • posture, • prettiness, • popularity, • “feeling feminine,” • and catching attention. During the 1970s there was an ongoing debate: • Should women exercise for health and independence? • Or was the culture still defining women primarily by appearance?

Top Comments (10)

@davefrompa5334 2026-05-22

People can figure out what's important to them, what they like, or what they dislike. Not saying that being athletic is bad, just that it's your own choice.

13
@k_DAN 2026-05-22

This seems a lot earlier than 1975

24 5 replies
@MiddleSky 2026-05-22

I like the cheekiness of this video, and they had fun with the cinematography.

13
@krisrhood2127 2026-05-25

Not everyone is capable doing what was required, nor should they have to be

2
@Benet1nOnly 2026-05-25

Those conversations are still relevant to this day..😅❤

1
@antz6393 2026-05-23

I very much remember the Presidential Physical Fitness Awards. You received an award and a patch, still have mine somewhere buried in boxes.

4
@SherryHill-k5y 2026-05-22

It was the push for the perfect teenage girl as seen in commercials and magazines. I was fourteen in the 10th grade and did play tennis but not in school. Was I perfect and athletic? No. And I got to work for the Dean of Girls all through high school which meant I didn't have to take Phys. Ed. I walked mostly everywhere and wasn't heavy-- and I was tall. In college I had to take Phys. Ed. and learned how to swim. Other athletics? No just tennis still. In retrospect, this commercial is so biased.

11 4 replies
@boroughowl1609 2026-05-25

Clips from this were used in a music video for Alex G’s Sara.

1
@Seven07770 2026-05-23

Viewing this instantly transported me back in time to "health class." Kids were always happy to hear the announcement, "Class, today we will be viewing a film.. " Some, due to the fact they were not prepared, hadn't done homework, etc. , some because they wanted to nap, others used the time to pass notes or socialize. I always watched, though. Regardless of subject matter, I always found something in that format intriguing. Still do. Thank you for sharing, David. ❤✌️🙂

2
@DrewPall259 2026-05-23

I love these 1940's, 50's and 60's educational film that was designed for teenagers and shown in the classroom. They do get their point across, as corny as some of them may seem by today's standers. I get that this one is gear for girls and focus on health and a healthy life style. I remember the Jack LaLanne Show, he did the same thing on television promoting a health life and lifestyle from 1951 to 1985 through regular exercise and a good diet. Thanks David I enjoyed this and your description. 😊🧡✌

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