Hidden gender biases and gender roles' socialization lead to inequities.

When my daughter was a baby, she had no problem using her "voice" to tell everyone within earshot what she needed—she "communicated" without hesitation when she was hungry, tired or generally discontent.

Today, girls in the United States are far less likely than boys to achieve the recommended amounts of physical activity—by age 14, girls are dropping out of sports at two times the rate of boys. Research shows, however, that girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem, lower levels of depression, a more positive body image, and overall higher states of psychological well-being.