We recently hit a huge milestone. Our baby is now in swim class. When, I was pregnant , I came across an informative article on disparities in swimming.
The stereotype black people don’t swim actually holds some weight and here is why.
More than 64% of black children do not know how to swim, according to the USA Swimming Foundation. This staggering number made me want to dig a little deeper to find out more.
Some Swimming History
It all comes down to race, economic class, and segregation. Unfornetley, in our history there wasn’t much access to swimming pools for people of color. Dating back to segregation, many were banned and even harassed for stepping foot in any white pool. Pools were a luxury that many people of color couldn’t afford.
The history stayed the same and swimming continued to be an activity people of color just wasn’t a part of.
The high rates of drownings even into 2019 have been a huge factor of this. On the Center for Disease and Control website it states “the drowning rates for black children were significantly higher than those for whites and Hispanics at every age from 5 years through 18 years. The greatest disparity for blacks compared with whites and Hispanics was at age 10 years (rate ratios of 4.2 and 5.3, respectively).” dated statistics from 2014.
The numbers and benefits motivated us to put the boys in swimming classes, b
Have you been debating on putting your black child in swim class? Let’s “dive” right in shall we?
Get it “dive”? Like “diving in a pool?” lol
Family Swimming Activity
We have to be in the water with our youngest son. Each week, my husband and I rotate getting in with him and the parent that isn’t in the water sits on the sideline for support. It’s been a great family activity for us. We Love it.
Bonding Time
I have learned there is a huge difference between being with your children and actually bonding with them. Swimming has allowed us to have an intimate “no distraction” us time. Think about it. No phones, TVs or random things around the house that can take your attention from connecting with your baby. Our focus is all on him and his milestones in the pool. Each week he gets better and better
Builds Water Confidence
The spirit of fear can be minimal or nonexistent with babies. You can take advantage of this by putting them in swimming early. For us, the minimum age is 6 months. Our son just started and he jumps right in every time.
Swimming Health Reasons
Brain development has been said to have a huge benefit to babies swimming early. Along with building muscle and strengthening the heart and lungs.
Motivates Mom and to Learn Too
Now, its mom’s turn. I took swimming classes one time for a session or two and we didn’t have access to a pool on a regular basis. This is the same story for many other children of color and adds to the statistic. Seeing my little 3-year-old jump right in and swim from one end to the other is making me sign up for some classes.
If you are reading this you made it to the end of the post. Thank You! I hope this has helped you decided if swimming is a good fit for your family.
Let’s bridge the gap for people of color and swimming. There is a huge benefit for drowning prevention and health. Do you have a question? or interested in a collab? Shoot me an email.