Whether young or old, male or female resistance training is important for any goal. If resistance training is tailored properly to fit an individuals needs by an exercise professional many positive health benefit may proceed. Resistance training is no longer just for the bodybuilder or power lifter. It was once thought some specialized athletes might not benefit from resistance training, but fortunately that philosophy failed and now athletes all over the world in every sport use resistance training to improve their performance. The point here is there are many misconceptions about weight training that just aren't true.
Many young women believe if they lift weights their going to become bulky and over muscular.
That isn't true either. First of all women don't have the same chemical make up as men to achieve the same kind of muscle growth as men. Secondly muscle growth of that proportion doesn't just come over night for men or women. It's not like you can gain 10 pounds of lean muscle in a week without some kind of extra chemical assistance such as steroidal, so don't worry. Finding an exercise program to fit ones specific physical limitations, and a specific health level, is a very personal thing.