SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS BETWEEN ADOLESCENT FEMALE ATHLETES AND ADOLESCENT FEMALE. NONATHLETES
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Authors
Hunter, Elizabeth Irene Roland
Issue Date
1995
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examined the similarities and differences in the socialization process between adolescent female athletes and adolescent female nonathletes. In what ways do or don't the participants in this study integrate the socialized messages that define different sex/gender appropriate behaviors that are characteristic of a patriarchal society? How do these two groups of young women define feminine behavior and does that conflict with female athleticism? Why do some women find the means and interest to reject the stereotypical expectations placed on women while other women gladly embrace the expectations? Ten adolescent females, five athletes and five nonathletes, ages 14 to 18 were each interviewed twice about socializing experiences in their lives and their views on female sports participation. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed.
The data indicated that all participants received many traditional socialized messages, but there were significant differences between athletes and nonathletes in the responses to the messages. The athletes were less likely to integrate messages which accepted traditional feminine behavior. The athletes were less concerned with meeting expectations for traditional feminine behavior and appearance than the nonathletes. The athletes' psychological development was less traditional than nonathletes resulting in athletes having more self-confidence than nonathletes, and having a stronger sense of themselves and their abilities than nonathletes.
The design of the study was ethnographic. The processes of data collection and analysis were influenced by the subjective perceptions of the researcher. This was demonstrated not only in the types of questions asked but in my spontaneous reactions to their responses. Participants reported that after participating in the study their awareness of related issues increased.