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Psychology introduction and importance in sports and education
Gender issues in sports
Gender issues in sports
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Children who participate in sports are developing rapidly in sports skills, sportsmanship, and psychologically, but does this come from organized sports are just nature’s process. Children develop emotional and social benefits from participating in sports. Children experience character and leadership development through peer relations leading to an increase in self-esteem and a decrease in anxiety levels. Children will get opportunities to experience positive and negative emotions throughout their practice and games trials. It is important for the coach to understand the “psychology of youth sports and physical activity participation” (Weinberg & Gould, 2011 p.516). The type of sport adolescents choose to participate in can be considered masculine, feminine, or neutral which causes stereotypes among peers. Society has set the stereotypes for competitive sports based on gender. According to Alley & Hick (2005), “despite legal and social changes, sexist ideology still pervades sport” (p.273). Sports are seen as masculine, male dominated, and males receive higher media coverage and pay than the majority of female sports. The gender stereotype is learned through socialization and “for certain sports appear to be learned by grade school” (Alley & Hicks, 2005. p. 274). Gender role conflicts may appear in some athlete depending on the sport(s) one chooses to participate in, but this can alter by demonstrating acceptance for the opposite gender in sports. It is important to indentifying the social effects of sports participation in both genders and how beneficial it can be to the adolescent. Through sports participation adolescents learn those gender roles are based on self-perception, and not social interactions. Peer interactions dev... ... middle of paper ... ...rganized sports participation. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 40(3), 153-161. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220525541?accountid=8289 Goldstein, J. D., & Iso-Ahola, S. (2006). Promoting sportsmanship in youth sports: Perspectives from sport psychology. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 77(7), 18-24. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215757725?accountid=8289 Linver, M. R., Roth, J. L., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2009). Patterns of adolescents' participation in organized activities: Are sports best when combined with other activities? Developmental Psychology, 45(2), 354-367. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0014133 Steptoe, A., & Butler, N. (1996). Sports participation and emotional wellbeing in adolescents. The Lancet, 347(9018), 1789-92. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199054311?accountid=8289
Athletes in times of difficulty can be important role models.” This shows that sports are in fact helpful because they can grow children into being important role models for the rest of society. Studies have shown time and time again that playing sports can be beneficial to children and we also believe this to be true. Many people still think that sports cause “too many injuries”, or coaches “are not fair enough”, but adolescents will experience these things all throughout their lives because injury can happen anywhere and they will not always be the best at what they are doing. Sports are beneficial to the youth because they can teach children and teens important life skills, help them maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle, all while improving their mental health.
It goes without saying that a person's gender, racial and social origins influence their participation in sports. Particular races and genders often dominate certain sports. African Americans, for example, tend to dominate football and basketball, while Caucasians tend to dominate ice hockey. The same holds true for gender as well. Football is an entirely male dominated sport, while horseback riding, gymnastics and figure skating are much more female oriented. How and why did these divisions come about? Determining the origin of gender goes beyond the scope of this paper, however one can speculate about how gender classifications and stereotypes affect one's role in the sports arena.
Girls are told to stay indoors and play with their dolls or bake, while boys are encouraged to go outdoors, get dirty, and be adventurous. Wade and Ferree also state “sports are squarely on the masculine side of the gender binary” (Wade and Ferree, 174). Hence, we are brought up with the understanding that playing and talking about sports is a boy’s thing, which further promotes the notion that sports are a very masculine thing. Furthermore, as playing sports is competitive and is a way to show excellence, young boys are considered as “real boys” and “real men” later on. However, when boys do not talk about or play sports, they are considered feminine or “not real men.” The same rule applies for young girls. If young girls are too into sports, they are considered to be “too masculine.” This is true for me too. When I was younger, I was told to not play too much outdoors and to behave “like a girl.” The stigma that only boys should be allowed to play sports and it is not a feminine thing needs to be erased for us to welcome a more gender-equal
Jessica Statsky, in her essay, “Children need to Play, Not Compete” attempts to refute the common belief that organized sports are good for children. She sees organized sports not as healthy pass-times for children, but as onerous tasks that children do not truly enjoy. She also notes that not only are organized sports not enjoyable for children, they may cause irreparable harm to the children, both emotionally and physically. In her thesis statement, Statsky states, “When overzealous parents and coaches impose adult standards on children's sports, the result can be activities that are neither satisfying nor beneficial to children” (627). While this statement is strong, her defense of it is weak.
The influence of sports activities on boys’ identity and socialization experience remains a major interest in gender studies today. Michael A. Messner wrote an article called Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities. The article examines the way sports focus and define what it is to be a masculine, studies variation in sports’ influences across social classes, and depicts lessons sports participation impacts for relationships beyond sports. Each area Michael A. Messner examined directly relates to three key concepts of psychology theories. The concepts consist of observational learning (social learning), conformity, and social identity. The research methods in the article are also a major factor contributing to the
One thing almost every young child looks forward to is the activity of play. Kids love nothing more than to go outside, run around with friends, and get dirty. If children are already active at a young age, why not encourage them to continue by enrolling them in an organized youth sport program? Young people will gain many positive experiences by participating in organized physical activities, but none as important and influential as the social skills, physical skills, and mental skills developed and nurtured during their time in youth sport. As a result, the young participants can continue to build upon and cultivate these skills which will ultimately be transferred into their development as successful adults. Along with the social and emotional benefits, physical fitness and overall good health habits, part of organized sports, are also vital skills that can be extended into adulthood. With ongoing focus and recent attention given to childhood obesity, youth sports participation can only enhance the progress toward the elimination of this problem. A closer look at recent studies of youth participation in organized sports can reveal that children can recognize, maintain, and transfer the underlying principles, benefits, and outcomes of their experiences into adulthood.
Participation in sports has proven to increase self-discipline and self-esteem, and can teach athletes to learn from their mistakes and move on (Issitt). Athletes playing team sports also develop the ability to work well with others and use teamwork in their everyday lives. Teammates form relationships that are strengthened over a common passion and goal. These relationships can last long after high school is over (Chen). These social skills translate into better communication used with an athlete’s family, peers, and in the community. Likewise, “A 2006 study in Maryland found that student athletes are 15 percent more likely than non athletes to be involved in their communities and to take the time for civic engagements, including participating in voting and volunteer activities” (Issitt). The same study also concluded that athletes are far more likely to be comfortable with public speaking than non-athletes. This study provides concrete evidence that high school sports can help to gain mental and social skills that will be used later in life
They were asked if they think females or males are better at. The test showed that most people think that all these sports are a man’s sport and that men are better at them than women (Martiny 381). It also shows that many people believe in these stereotypes and there are the main cause of women’s discrimination and probable cause of lowered participation (Martiny 387-388). Both of these studies prove that these stereotypes are affecting athletes whether that is through performance or their social lives. This is what many researchers believe is the cause of limited participation in female sports and the main source of all the
Rosewater, Ann. "Playing Well - Organized Sports and the Health of Children and Youth." Up2Us - Home. Up2Us, May 2010. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
These days, there is too much pressure on children who participate in organized sports because of the unnecessary parental involvement they experience. A growing concern amongst those involved in youth sports is that certain aspects of parental involvement become detrimental to the development and experiences of young athletes. Early emphasis on winning, making money, and the disruption of education can exceedingly affect ones desire to further participate in a sport later on in his/her life.
An issue that is hotly debated is, the fact the sports are un equal when it comes to gender. One side of the argument argues, that female and male sports are fair, but different from each other. Other people think that sports are unfair and sexist towards females. It’s clear that overall, competitive high school and college sports are discriminating against gender. Schools are doing this by offering more sport chooses to males, accommodating male sports more than female sports, and giving less opportunities to females than males. This paper will strongly argue why sports are unequal in gender and why it is so wrong.
It’s 3 pm on a beautiful sunny tuesday afternoon, the bell rings and school is over for the day, what comes next for the average teenager, is it hanging out with friends? Sitting on the couch watching TV? It’s these non productive activities that can lead a teenager to getting into trouble or going down a wrong path in life. Psychologists and sociologists around the world have conducted numerous studies regarding how sports tend to keep teens out of trouble. By taking up a sport not only will it help keep teens in better physical shape, but it can provide kids/teens to learn many valuable life lessons, such as surrounding themselves with positive influences from coaches and peers, and keeping them focused toward a goal. Between the time commitment for practices, creating a higher self
It has been known a proven fact that participation in high school sports encourages better moods, self-esteem, and a higher level of academic achievement. This has been proven through various studies, one of them being a study done in New York. In 2006, the Carnegie Corporation of New York discovered that students benefited from participating in high school sports. An improvement in grades, confidence, and personal health and welfare were appreciably noted in ...
Sports are a crucial part of many American children and teenagers’ health and wellbeing. As a growing child or teen, it is very important to receive an ample amount of daily exercise. Many students receive this exercise through sports affiliated with their schools. Being on a sports team makes exercising more enjoyable for most children because they are able to do it with their friends rather than alone. In addition, playing on a sports team makes exercising more than just conditioning. In the world today, students are overcome with homework and their social lives, but being part of a sports team allows for students to socialize while
The main goals behind Sport Education are to help students become knowledgeable about different sports and activities to the point where they can participate in these outside of the classroom to stay active. Also it teaches execution and strategies and encourages competitiveness. It is important for kids to be competitive because they will have to be in life and it will teach the importance of winning and losing the right way. “Sports offer kids a great chance to work cooperatively toward a common goal. And working coope...