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YOUTH SPORTS: Sport and
delinquency prevention
The question of sports and
character as it relates to various social ills
continues to surface. Jack Hustlar answers questions
about it from the readers.
The question of sports and character as it relates to
various social ills continues to surface periodically.
Here is the most recent inquiry I received.
Ask Jack: Have you heard about how sports keep kids
out of trouble? Do you know where and websites on this
are? thanks. Rachel on 10/3/2000
I have taken the opportunity in this issue of Sport
Scene to expand on this question that I answered on
line. My response does not hold up as a research
document. However, it does shed light on a topic that
has been a philosophical base for athletics,
recreation and physical education in the USA for well
over 100 years. The most notable example comes from
the YMCA trilogy involving mind, body and spirit.
People such as myself believe or would like to believe
that the boys and girls who participate in sports
learn certain positive character traits. There is
evidence to suggest that as a result of participation,
they have:
- better attendance in school
- better grades in school
- better behavior in school
- less trouble and fewer discipline problems in school
- better citizenship in school and community
- an upward mobility orientation (e.g., go to college)
To further expand on these positive aspects of sport,
the following information about girls and sport was
presented in a recent news release. It was reported
that:
- Girls who participate in sports get better grades
and are more likely to
graduate.
- Girls who play sports are less likely to get
pregnant at an early age.
- Girls who participate in sports are less likely to
use drugs or to stay in
an abusive relationship.
- Girls who participate in sports experience greater
self-esteem, increased self-confidence and a more
positive body image.
- If a girl does not participate in sports by the time
she is 10 years old,
there is only a 10 percent chance she will be
participating later in life.
- Women who participate in sports four or more times
per week, decrease their chance of breast cancer by 60
percent.
- 80 percent of female Fortune 500 company executives
participated in sports.
There are at least four reasons why sport can
influence behavior in a positive direction. First,
sport occupies the time that youngsters might use for
other activities. As a rule, sport leaders then to be
positive influences on the kids, but that is not
always the case. Needless to say, these other
non-sport activities can be both positive and
negative.
Second, sport is used as a positive lever by coaches
and parents. That is, the players must conform to
certain rules in school and at home to maintain their
school eligibility or parental permission. This tends
to keep them on track.
Third, school players may have greater opportunities
to seek tutoring that may not be of much immediate
value to other students. Players may also have other
support groups in place to keep them headed in the
right direction.
Finally, coaches and parents generally are interested
in encouraging and otherwise pushing players to strive
for the next higher level of play. In the highly
visible sport market, that usually means do well in
school and then go on to college. In this regard,
players can become the focal point of attention based
totally on their sports ability. Unfortunately,
students do not get the same strokes or rewards for
doing well in the classroom.
Kevin M. Thompson, in a June 1999 research article,
pointed out that certain activities can have a
positive counter-influence on delinquency. However,
for best results, it seemed like the youngsters should
be involved in at least two activities in these
programs. For example, music and sports had a more
positive influence on delinquency and substance abuse
prevention than did music alone. Today, there are many
youth programs that combine sports and homework or
enrichment activities. That appears to be a good
program model to keep kids on track or get them on
track.
Given the situations just described, it is possible
that time, just plain old time, is the most critical
factor in our influence on young boys and girls. That
is, youngsters can be influenced in positive
directions when they spend more time with people who
have socially positive purposes, objectives and
programs in mind. In fact, the popular saying goes
like this: The best thing you can spend on your child
is time. This applies equally to parents as well as
those who stand in for the absentees.
The evidence gathers here would suggest that sport can
be a positive influence on our youth. However, it does
not appear to be an automatic occurrence. It takes
planning to achieve the maximum benefits.
Related issues
How is the poor behavior of the highly visible
athletes explained.
Can peer leadership have a positive influence on
behavior.
What happens when sport takes a backseat to other
program features.
Sources
Readers who are interested in this line of research
offered by Professor Thompson, read his research on
line article. See: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/cdfs/journal/jun99/cfp-3-2.htm
Girls and Sports. See: Sporting Goods Manufacturer's
Association, National Federation of State High School
Associations and Department of Education, Melpomene
Institute, Women's Sports Foundation.
Readers are also referred to the National High School
Federation web site (http://www.NFHS.org/case.htm).
There, you will find a 1998 article titled The Case
for High School Activities. This will present data
that supports the assertions made at the beginning of
this answer.
North American Youth Sport Institute. See
www.NAYSI.com
North American Youth Sport Institute . . . est 1979
Jack Hutslar, Ph.D., Founder and CEO
www.NAYSI.com
NAYSI news: Jack answers Ask the Coach questions for
Sports Illustrated from time to time
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leaders, administrators, club staff, and youth work
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