YOUTH SPORTS: Sport and delinquency prevention

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

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