Safety is one of the barriers that are articulated by youth directly, but it is by no means the number one barrier they express. Generally, cost comes out on top. Feelings of self-confidence for girls and young women come in at number two or number three, and the list goes on.
Lack of safety is there, but it is by no means the number one concern that kids articulate. Quite honestly, even transportation trumps that. Lack of facilities and lack of equipment all factor much higher on the list of things that are keeping kids from participating within their communities.