Recently, a significant discussion has emerged concerning policies in K-12 sports, particularly in California, that directly impact the participation of girls and their safety in the sports arena.

Recent news reports have highlighted California’s stance regarding the inclusion of “transgender athletes” (i.e. boys who want to participate as girls) in girls’ scholastic sports.

The core of the reporting indicates that:

• California has declined to implement policies that would restrict K-12 girls’ sports categories exclusively to biological females.
• This decision means that biological men and boys are permitted to compete in girls’ sports categories in California’s K-12 public school system.
• This highlights the loss of girls’ opportunities for scholarships, recognition, and fair competition due to inherent physical advantages of so-called transgender athletes.

This is all in light of the fact that Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon gave California 10 days from June 27, 2025 to ban trans athletes from unfairly taking advantage of girl athletes and to rescind any sports prizes unfairly awarded to males.

Secretary McMahon publicly declared on social media: “California has just REJECTED our resolution agreement to follow federal law and keep men out of women’s sports.” She further critiqued the situation, adding, “Turns out Gov. Newsom’s acknowledgment that ‘it’s an issue of fairness’ was empty political grandstanding.”

Our Take: 

As homeschooling parents, we are uniquely positioned to protect and guide our children. When we see such blatant disregard for biological reality and the rights of our daughters in the public sphere, it galvanizes us to act with conviction.

This isn’t just a “discussion”; it’s a battle for our girls’ future, their opportunities, and the very meaning of female sports.

The integrity of youth sports is crumbling under these policies.

We pour our hearts into fostering our children’s God-given talents, and when it comes to sports, we desire for them to experience true competition, the camaraderie of a team built on shared female experience, and the satisfaction of pushing their own limits fairly. These policies directly threaten our daughters’ ability to truly shine and compete on a level playing field. We must consider their safety, their privacy, and their rightful place in the sports arena.

So, what’s our “take” for homeschooling families on this critical issue?

Guard Their Opportunities Through Intentional Choice: One of our greatest blessings as homeschooling parents is the freedom to choose and adapt. We are called to educate ourselves and our daughters about the biological realities that impact sports. If the traditional public school sports system no longer aligns with our values or provides a fair environment due to these policies, we must remember that God has given us the wisdom to find other paths. Explore private leagues, local community organizations, or even actively build homeschool-specific sports groups that uphold truth and fairness.

Reinforce God-Given Values: Regardless of what secular policies dictate, we must always reinforce the unchanging values of discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and personal integrity. Help your daughter understand that true success is about character and effort, not just trophies. This foundational truth will equip her to stand strong, no matter the competitive circumstances.

Open and Honest Dialogue is Essential: This situation provides a profound opportunity for vital conversations with our daughters. Speak with them openly about biological reality, fairness, healthy boundaries, and how to respectfully but firmly advocate for what is right. These discussions are just as crucial as any physical training, strengthening their spiritual and critical thinking foundations.

Build Strong, Like-Minded Community: Connect deeply with other homeschooling families who share your concerns and values. Sharing experiences, resources, and encouragement can be an incredible source of strength as we navigate these challenging waters together. We are not alone in this fight for our girls.

Prioritize Their God-Given Joy and Well-being: At the end of the day, our ultimate goal is for our daughters to walk in the joy and purpose God has for them, developing a lifelong love for healthy activity. If a particular competitive environment is causing more distress than true joy and honorable competition, it might be time to courageously seek out other options that truly support her emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

The world will always present new challenges to our families and our faith. But with our homeschooling freedom and our unwavering commitment to raising our children in truth and righteousness, we can guide our daughters through these discussions and help them find empowering ways to pursue their athletic dreams, always putting God and our children first.