Gender Neutral Effects of Sports
Nearly 83% of American children participate in some type of extracurricular activities; of those, approximately 35 million children in the United States play sports. While the levels of children in athletics vary across cultures, sports have a huge influence on the lives of many children here.
Pros and Cons of Competition
Participating in sports has many positive effects on a child. Sports can be attributed to the development of leadership qualities, sportsmanship, and other traits that have been deemed desirable by our society. For instance, through long practices, tough losses, and good coaches, many children who participate in sports learn about dedication, respect, and teamwork. The aforementioned traits are all traits that are sought after by employers and and traits that make an individual a productive member of our society. The nature of competition encourages children to strive to do their best. Young athletes feel pressure from their peers, coaches, and parents to perform to the best of their ability. This can be a positive attribute of competition because it helps prepare children for the stresses of adult life. In both the college acceptance process and the resume screening process, it is known that experience in extracurricular activities make an individual a stronger candidate. College and employment recruiters use the experiences that individuals have gained in their extracurriculars as indications that they will likely be successful in the academic and working worlds.
There are fewer psychological detriments to participating in sports with the most prevalent being aggression and other unsportsmanlike behaviors. In many sports, aggression is a positive characteristic that can help a young athlete succeed athletically; however, aggression is not a positive trait, therefore, deeming it as such sends children the wrong message. In sports, conflicts can be resolved through aggression, but that is not the case outside of athletics. When children learn to use aggression as a conflict resolution tool, it is possible that knowledge will be translated into other aspects of life, giving them the ability to employ aggression as a way to solve non-athletic conflicts. Unsportsmanlike behavior is often learned from coaches, parents and other athletes that display poor behavior relating to athletics. Because a competitive nature and the desire to be the best are inherent in many athletic people, they fail to retain respect for others as well as themselves during competition. A lack of respect is the basis of poor sportsmanship.
Although there are some coaches, parents and peers who succumb to their competitive nature and lose sight of their respect, displaying poor sportsmanship, there is also an entire population of people involved in athletics that strive to maintain control of their emotions and respect for themselves and others, displaying good sportsmanship. A child's proximity to both good and bad sports will determine how well they are able to participate in athletics and remain a good sport as well as benefit from the psychological benefits of athletics rather than falling victim to its few detriments.
Sociological Effects of Sports Experience
Socialization at a young age is a fundamental part of childhood development as it teaches children how to be active participants and positive members of our society. Sports are an essential part of socialization for many of America's youth. Through athletics, children learn the skills necessary to survive and succeed in society.
Young athletes learn how to play various roles in different social situations. They act as spectators, athletes, promoters and regulators within the athletic world. For example, children who are put in leadership roles in sports are learning valuable skills that will help them as both leaders and those being led outside of the athletic world for the rest of their lives.
The relationship between sports and learning is not limited to a social education, sports are imbedded in our educational system, and there is an interdependent relationship between being an athlete and being a student. Learning a sport can help coaches, parents, and children themselves determine how to best retain not only what is taught on the athletic field, but in the classroom and in the real world.
The nature of a sport can be a representation of the nature of the society in which it is played. Different sports highlight different strengths: they can be classified as sports of chance, strategy and physical skill. In an achievement-oriented society, sports that highlight strategy are prevalent; allowing children to develop skills that will make them successful as adults through play.
Psychological Effects of Sports Experience
One of the most widely researched psychological effect of competition on athletes is the ability to perform under pressure. It has been show by many studies and in many ways that the presence of others affects an athlete's ability to perform. Children benefit from competing with their peers because it pushes them to strive to work harder and produce better results. Healthy competition can benefit children in all aspects of life. Sports also offer social reinforcement, which modify children's behaviors based on which attributes are rewarded and discouraged in their athletic experiences. Participating in sports rewards children who demonstrate the ability to pay attention, retain information, reproduce motor skills and are motivated to succeed. For children who naturally struggle in these areas, athletics can help to increase their proficiency. Relating back to the most primitive types of motivation, action and reward, sports are designed to reward positive actions such as hard work and smart decisions, developing children's propensity to work hard and make smart choices.
Pros and Cons of Competition
Participating in sports has many positive effects on a child. Sports can be attributed to the development of leadership qualities, sportsmanship, and other traits that have been deemed desirable by our society. For instance, through long practices, tough losses, and good coaches, many children who participate in sports learn about dedication, respect, and teamwork. The aforementioned traits are all traits that are sought after by employers and and traits that make an individual a productive member of our society. The nature of competition encourages children to strive to do their best. Young athletes feel pressure from their peers, coaches, and parents to perform to the best of their ability. This can be a positive attribute of competition because it helps prepare children for the stresses of adult life. In both the college acceptance process and the resume screening process, it is known that experience in extracurricular activities make an individual a stronger candidate. College and employment recruiters use the experiences that individuals have gained in their extracurriculars as indications that they will likely be successful in the academic and working worlds.
There are fewer psychological detriments to participating in sports with the most prevalent being aggression and other unsportsmanlike behaviors. In many sports, aggression is a positive characteristic that can help a young athlete succeed athletically; however, aggression is not a positive trait, therefore, deeming it as such sends children the wrong message. In sports, conflicts can be resolved through aggression, but that is not the case outside of athletics. When children learn to use aggression as a conflict resolution tool, it is possible that knowledge will be translated into other aspects of life, giving them the ability to employ aggression as a way to solve non-athletic conflicts. Unsportsmanlike behavior is often learned from coaches, parents and other athletes that display poor behavior relating to athletics. Because a competitive nature and the desire to be the best are inherent in many athletic people, they fail to retain respect for others as well as themselves during competition. A lack of respect is the basis of poor sportsmanship.
Although there are some coaches, parents and peers who succumb to their competitive nature and lose sight of their respect, displaying poor sportsmanship, there is also an entire population of people involved in athletics that strive to maintain control of their emotions and respect for themselves and others, displaying good sportsmanship. A child's proximity to both good and bad sports will determine how well they are able to participate in athletics and remain a good sport as well as benefit from the psychological benefits of athletics rather than falling victim to its few detriments.
Sociological Effects of Sports Experience
Socialization at a young age is a fundamental part of childhood development as it teaches children how to be active participants and positive members of our society. Sports are an essential part of socialization for many of America's youth. Through athletics, children learn the skills necessary to survive and succeed in society.
Young athletes learn how to play various roles in different social situations. They act as spectators, athletes, promoters and regulators within the athletic world. For example, children who are put in leadership roles in sports are learning valuable skills that will help them as both leaders and those being led outside of the athletic world for the rest of their lives.
The relationship between sports and learning is not limited to a social education, sports are imbedded in our educational system, and there is an interdependent relationship between being an athlete and being a student. Learning a sport can help coaches, parents, and children themselves determine how to best retain not only what is taught on the athletic field, but in the classroom and in the real world.
The nature of a sport can be a representation of the nature of the society in which it is played. Different sports highlight different strengths: they can be classified as sports of chance, strategy and physical skill. In an achievement-oriented society, sports that highlight strategy are prevalent; allowing children to develop skills that will make them successful as adults through play.
Psychological Effects of Sports Experience
One of the most widely researched psychological effect of competition on athletes is the ability to perform under pressure. It has been show by many studies and in many ways that the presence of others affects an athlete's ability to perform. Children benefit from competing with their peers because it pushes them to strive to work harder and produce better results. Healthy competition can benefit children in all aspects of life. Sports also offer social reinforcement, which modify children's behaviors based on which attributes are rewarded and discouraged in their athletic experiences. Participating in sports rewards children who demonstrate the ability to pay attention, retain information, reproduce motor skills and are motivated to succeed. For children who naturally struggle in these areas, athletics can help to increase their proficiency. Relating back to the most primitive types of motivation, action and reward, sports are designed to reward positive actions such as hard work and smart decisions, developing children's propensity to work hard and make smart choices.
Male Dominated Sports
Among the multitude of sports in this country, there is a definite segregation between sports dominated by males and females. Sports that are typically dominated by males include hockey, football, boxing, and weightlifting. Sports are one of the central sites for the display of masculinity in American society. They allow males to demonstrate the physical prowess and psychological attributes that make them productive members of society.
Historically, males who display the characteristics that coincide with making them successful at sports, such as physical strength and aggression, tend to be more profitable than those males who lack the same qualities. All of this returns to the theories of natural and sexual selection which put the stronger, more powerful male at an advantage over the weaker males in nature. However, as our society evolves, this is becoming less true.
This can be seen in a positive light as the use of sports as a measuring stick among males leads to a segregation of those who feel superior and inferior within the gender. There are positives and negatives on both sides: young males who grow up feeling superior to others possess confidence and social skills that will help them be successful. The feeling of superiority may lead to arrogance and assumption which can limit the effort they put forth and be a hinderance to their lives. Young males who grow up feeling inferior to others lack the confidence and social skills that may help them to be successful, but they may possess the desire to better themselves and may put forth more effort than others, propelling them to achieve their goals.
Historically, males who display the characteristics that coincide with making them successful at sports, such as physical strength and aggression, tend to be more profitable than those males who lack the same qualities. All of this returns to the theories of natural and sexual selection which put the stronger, more powerful male at an advantage over the weaker males in nature. However, as our society evolves, this is becoming less true.
This can be seen in a positive light as the use of sports as a measuring stick among males leads to a segregation of those who feel superior and inferior within the gender. There are positives and negatives on both sides: young males who grow up feeling superior to others possess confidence and social skills that will help them be successful. The feeling of superiority may lead to arrogance and assumption which can limit the effort they put forth and be a hinderance to their lives. Young males who grow up feeling inferior to others lack the confidence and social skills that may help them to be successful, but they may possess the desire to better themselves and may put forth more effort than others, propelling them to achieve their goals.
Female Dominated Sports
In contrast to male dominated sports, there are also female dominated sports. Because sport in general is dominated by male ideals, female dominated sports are considered inferior or "not even a sport" in comparison. This can be seen as a parallel to women's struggle to gain equality and respect compared to males other aspects of life, such as the political and professional communities.
In America, these include dance, volleyball, figure skating, and equestrian. Female dominated sports tend to perpetuate the female ideals of grace, intelligence, and beauty while downplaying physical strength and aggression. Because young ladies participate in athletics that reward mental strength and appearance rather than physical strength and aggression, the divide between males and females is maintained.
Additionally, society demonstrates that it is less interested in female sports than males thought the use of media and economic support. There is an enormous difference between the amount of money that is poured into male dominated sports and female dominated sports. Similarly, male dominated sports are broadcast for many more hours daily than female dominated sports. The difference in the amount of time and money allocated to male dominated sports rather than female dominated sports perpetuates female inferiority. For girls growing up in today's society, this can cause them to believe that they deserve less than males.
In America, these include dance, volleyball, figure skating, and equestrian. Female dominated sports tend to perpetuate the female ideals of grace, intelligence, and beauty while downplaying physical strength and aggression. Because young ladies participate in athletics that reward mental strength and appearance rather than physical strength and aggression, the divide between males and females is maintained.
Additionally, society demonstrates that it is less interested in female sports than males thought the use of media and economic support. There is an enormous difference between the amount of money that is poured into male dominated sports and female dominated sports. Similarly, male dominated sports are broadcast for many more hours daily than female dominated sports. The difference in the amount of time and money allocated to male dominated sports rather than female dominated sports perpetuates female inferiority. For girls growing up in today's society, this can cause them to believe that they deserve less than males.
Crossover: Men doing "Feminine" things and Women doing "Masculine" things…
Thanks to social progress, it is becoming more widely accepted for men and women to crossover into sports typically dominated by the other sex. It is becoming less unusual to hear about a female football player and recently there has been a surge in females participating in Crossfit, an intense form of physical training, and boxing. Likewise, male participation in typically female dominated sports is facing less criticism than in the past. It will be interesting to see how far this crossover goes: will there be women in the NFL? and how will it affect society as the younger generations mature with less gender bias?
Below: 9 year old girl Sam Gordon excels on the football field, outplaying many boys her age.
Below: 9 year old girl Sam Gordon excels on the football field, outplaying many boys her age.
Below: In the movie "The Game Plan", Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's character, a professional football player, demonstrates that ballet can be an intense physical workout and ballerinas are extremely strong athletes. Real life football players such as Vance Johnson, Akili Smith, and Lynn Swann have said that ballet has improved their game.
Do you know of a male ballerina or a female who beats the boys at their own games? Share your stories over on the Pink vs. Blue debate page!
Literature Consulted
- "9-Year-Old Girl a Football Phenom." ABC. Abcnews.go, 8 November 2012. Web. 5 December 2013.
- "Ballet a Sport?" Youtube. Youtube, 3 January 2013. Web. 5 December 2013.
- Creedon, Pamela J. Women, Media and Sport: Challenging Gender Values. Thousand Oaks U.a.: Sage, 1994. Print.
- Messner, Michael A., and Donald F. Sabo. Sport, Men, and the Gender Order: Critical Feminist Perspectives. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1990. Print.
- Roberts, Glyn C. Social Science of Play, Games, and Sport: Learning Experiences. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1979. Print.
- Seefeldt, Vern, and Daniel Gould. Physical and Psychological Effects of Athletic Competition on Children and Youth. Washington, D.C.: ERIC Clearinghouse on Teacher Education, 1980. Print.