Chapter 7 : Youth Sport & Socialization

Question 1

How are the positive aspects of youth sport described in the lives of many young individuals and their communities?

Answer 1

an important space for personal growth, interpersonal connection, and enjoyment, impacting both young individuals and their broader communities in a positive manner.

Question 2

what potential negative experiences or perceptions can be associated with youth sport?

Answer 2

youth sport can be associated with negative experiences such as unpleasantness and oppression, reflecting the potential downside of participation for some individuals.

Question 3

How are children’s and youth’s experiences in sports linked to broader societal processes and social structures?

Answer 3

By highlighting that these experiences are intimately tied to socially constructed institutions, processes, and practices.

Question 4

how is youth sport framed as both enabling and potentially oppressive?

Answer 4

by suggesting that it has the potential to be a positive influence on individuals while also acknowledging that it can sometimes be an unpleasant or oppressive experience.

Question 5

Which theories and perspectives are referenced to inform the exploration of youth sport experiences in this chapter?

Answer 5

references critical theory and the work of C. Wright Mills to inform the exploration of youth sport experiences in this chapter.

Question 6

What is the invitation to the readers regarding the exploration of youth sport experiences and their societal connections?

Answer 6

The invitation to readers is to consider both positive and negative aspects of youth sport experiences and to explore how these experiences are interconnected with broader societal processes and social structures

Question 7

Define “prolympism” according to the text and explain its focus.

Answer 7

Prolympism, as described in the text, refers to a global sport monoculture where the primary goal is victory, emphasizing professional status, winning Olympic gold medals, or setting new world records. The focus of prolympism is on rationalized outcomes rather than the process or benefits of participating in sport and physical activity.

Question 8

Explain the notion of success and failure in the context of youth sport, according to the text.

Answer 8

youth sport is skewed towards “failure,” defined as not reaching the upper levels of sport such as becoming a professional athlete or Olympian.

The prevailing narrative of “making it” by “going pro” is sold to young athletes and their parents, and the failure to achieve this dream is often attributed to the individual rather than the system.

Question 9

Discuss the societal shift in North America in the early 20th century regarding youth and childhood. How was sport implicated in this shift?

Answer 9

In the early 20th century, society became highly interested in youth and young people in North America. People believed that by focusing on and “saving” the children, they could improve society as a whole. Sport played a vital role in this era, with initiatives like the playground movement and youth sports leagues being key tools in shaping young individuals into disciplined citizens for the future.

Question 10

Explain how the concept of adolescence and the idea of training young people as “citizens in-training” are connected to the prolympic model of youth sport.

Answer 10

The idea of adolescence, popularized in the early 20th century, links to the prolympic model of youth sport by suggesting that young people should be taught to be ideal citizens with self-control and strong physicality. This matches the prolympic model’s emphasis on success and winning.

Question 11

How does the idea of risk affect how we talk about young people in sports and physical activities?

Answer 11

Risk impacts how we discuss young people in sports, affecting how we plan programs and talk about their health, responsibility, and childhood. This influences how they experience youth sports

Question 12

What is socialization in the context of youth sports?

Answer 12

kids learn and adopt society’s norms and values by interacting with family, friends, teachers, and coaches.

Question 13

How is sport often viewed from a positive perspective regarding young people’s development?

Answer 13

Sport is thought to be good for young people, helping them grow as individuals, aiding troubled communities, and building social connections that can help in jobs and community involvement later in life.

Question 14

In what ways can sport be a meaningful part of the cultural transition for immigrant children and youth?

Answer 14

helps with integration into the new culture.

Question 15

What critique has been raised about the concept of socialization in the context of youth sport?

Answer 15

Critics say ‘socialization’ makes kids seem like they just soak up culture without considering how their surroundings influence them.

An example of this is when children in a community with limited access to educational resources and extracurricular activities may absorb societal values and norms that emphasize survival and immediate needs, rather than future-oriented goals like career aspirations or community involvement. The structural conditions of their environment greatly influence their understanding of societal expectations and possibilities.

Question 16

What are some negative experiences some young Canadians may face in the realm of sport?

Answer 16

Some young Canadians experience exclusion, shame, harassment, and abuse in the sports arena, highlighting the need to address issues of participation and structural barriers.

Question 17

How common is participation in organized sports among Canadian children, and what are some activities they engage in?

Answer 17

Millions of Canadian children participate in organized sports each year, including mainstream sports like soccer, swimming, and ice hockey. They also engage in various other physical activities such as basketball, surfing, skateboarding, dancing, skiing, and rock climbing.

Question 18

How does youth sports participation change as individuals age, and what factors contribute to this change?

Answer 18

Participation tends to decrease as individuals age, influenced by factors such as shifting priorities towards social life outside of sports during adolescence and other structural influences.

Question 19

What are some factors that influence youth sport participation in Canada?

Answer 19

• parental education
• income levels
• parental involvement
• gender
• ethnicity
• family structure

Question 20

How do household income levels influence youth sport participation in Canada?

Answer 20

households earning more than $80,000 annually have a higher percentage of children participating in sports compared to those earning less than $40,000 annually.

Question 21

What are the Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth, and what do they recommend?

Answer 21

The Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth recommend an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for Canadian children and youth, along with recommendations for sleep and screen time.

Question 22

How has categorizing “child” shown inconsistent guidelines, and what impact does this inconsistency have?

Answer 22

How we count their sports and activity levels. This affects how we understand their health, fitness, and how active they are.

Question 23

How do overarching guidelines regarding physical activity affect individuals differently?

Answer 23

Often, they treat everyone equally, not considering personal situations or differences in access to physical activity opportunities.

Question 24

How does the framing of active play as a solution to obesity overlook structural factors?

Answer 24

Framing active play as a personal solution to obesity overlooks important structural factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, race, ethnicity, and geography that influence an individual’s ability to engage in physical activity.

Question 25

What suggestions are given for navigating the influence of guidelines in promoting physical activity?

Answer 25

It’s recommended to question rules, make room for physical activity without strict guidelines, and rethink the rules to include more types of activities and ways to connect with people.

Question 26

What is physical literacy, and why has it gained attention in recent years?

Answer 26

Physical literacy encompasses motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to engage in physical activities for life. It gained attention due to its broader focus beyond physical activity, emphasizing enjoyment and skill development for sustained engagement.

Question 27

How are wearable activity trackers influencing physical activity among children?

Answer 27

Devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers let kids and parents track their activity and set goals. They often turn physical activity into a game, making it more enjoyable for children.

Question 28

How do wearable activity trackers for children connect with broader societal concerns about health and physical activity?

Answer 28

Wearable activity trackers are marketed to parents as tools to combat the perceived epidemic of physical inactivity and obesity in children, reflecting broader societal concerns about health and well-being.

Question 29

What are some potential cautions associated with children’s use of wearable activity trackers?

Answer 29

Research suggests that while wearable activity trackers can initially motivate physical activity, the novelty may wear off, and some young people may experience negative feelings or reinforce unhealthy understandings of health and body image.

Question 30

What is the significance of dropout rates in youth sports?

Answer 30

Dropout rates increase almost 70% by age 13. It’s not just their choice - things like their coach, expensive fees, and pressure to focus on one sport play a part.

Question 31

How has the trend of single-sport specialization impacted youth sports?

Answer 31

It can cause injuries, burnout, loneliness, and take away support from local youth sports.

Question 32

How does the idea of child labor apply to youth involvement in high-performance sports?

Answer 32

The intense training and commitment required in high-performance sports can be seen as a form of child labor. Children may dedicate extensive time and effort, often impacting their schoolwork and social life, aligning with the concept of child labor.

Question 33

What does “alternative sport” refer to?

Answer 33

Physical activities that are participant-controlled and less structured than traditional, competitive sports, such as skateboarding and parkour.

Question 34

Why do some young people opt for alternative sports?

Answer 34

Some young people choose alternative sports to engage more freely in physical activities on their own terms and resist aspects of mainstream sporting and social practices they find oppressive.

Question 35

How does skateboarding exemplify cultural resistance?

Answer 35

Skateboarding is like a rebellion in the world of sports. It goes against the typical focus on high-level competition and lets people have a say in how it’s done, challenging the usual sports rules.

Question 36

How does the concept of “generagency” apply to alternative sporting practices?

Answer 36

“Generagency” means young people create their social environment but are still affected by existing hierarchies, even in alternative sports.

Question 37

Are alternative sports completely against competition?

Answer 37

No, alternative sports are not completely against competition. Events like the X Games show that many young people in alternative sports enjoy competing against others, although these sports are known for their creativity and lack of rigid rules.

Question 38

What are the platforms that provide resources and education for youth sport coaches and parents in Canada?

Answer 38

“For the Love of the Game” and “Paradigm Sports” are platforms offering resources and education for youth sport coaches and parents in Canada.

Question 39

Why is improving the youth sport landscape in Canada critically important?

Answer 39

Improving the youth sport landscape is crucial because parents, coaches, and adults significantly influence the experiences of youth in sport. Parents provide volunteer labor and domestic support, while coaches play a critical role in teaching skills and shaping young athletes.

Question 40

What role do coaches play in organized youth sport?

Answer 40

Coaches are expected to teach technical athletic skills, encourage teamwork, contribute to character development, and foster both the joy of participation and the understanding of what it takes to win for young athletes.

Question 41

What are some concerns regarding negative influences in youth sport?

Answer 41

Negative influences in youth sport can include parents and coaches pushing young athletes too hard, being abusive, or having a win-at-all-costs approach. Such behavior can be detrimental to the well-being of young participants.

Question 42

What measures have been taken to address negative behaviors in youth sports?

Answer 42

To deal with destructive behaviors, groups have made rules (codes of conduct), made training mandatory (like the National Coaching Certification Program), and run ads about acting right in sports.

Sociologists also say we should understand coaching to help athletes instead of holding them back or treating them like objects.

Question 43

What does the “dome of silence” in competitive sports refer to?

Answer 43

The “dome of silence” refers to a culture in competitive sports that keeps the sporting world isolated from the outside world, exerting pressure on athletes within this culture to maintain a self-sufficient and self-perpetuating sport system. This culture often discourages challenging the conduct of coaches and authority figures.

Question 44

Socializing agents

Answer 44

refer to individuals, groups, or entities that play a role in shaping an individual’s socialization process.

Question 45

Direct socializing agents

Answer 45

individuals or groups with whom an individual has regular, face-to-face interaction.
Ex: family, peers, teachers, mentors

Question 46

indirect socializing agent:

Answer 46

entities or institutions that influence an individual’s socialization process but have a more generalized or distant impact. They may not have direct, immediate contact with the individual, but their influence is still significant.
Ex: Media, religious institutions, government and laws, social networking platforms

Question 47

Balancing act

Answer 47

Finding the right balance between fun and skill development is essential. Too much emphasis on skill development without considering enjoyment may lead to burnout or disinterest among young athletes. Conversely, focusing solely on fun may result in a lack of progression and growth in skill levels, hindering a child’s ability to compete or excel in the long run.

Question 48

Culture of caution VS. risky play

Answer 48

the idea of removing the risks that kids might face. Emphasizes safety and risk prevention during youth sports activities.

Question 49

What are “playgrounds of tomorrow,” and what are some types?

Answer 49

Envisioned to be innovative, interactive, and designed, focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, safety, and fostering learning and creativity.

Nature: Emphasize natural elements like trees, rocks, sand, and water to encourage a connection with nature and outdoor play.

Loose parts: incorporates open-ended, movable, and easily adaptable materials, objects, and elements for play.

Adventure: Feature natural elements like rocks, water, and logs to encourage imaginative and risky play. Emphasize unstructured, exploratory, and creative play.