The decision of youths to participate and integrate sports in their lives is influenced by several factors. Young people always look forward to being independent and in control of their lives; therefore, they choose leisure activities that do not tightly tie them to adults. Additionally, young people, especially women, associate sports, programs, and activities with childhood and decide not to participate. Young women do not perceive games as an important aspect of life but rather a step backward in the process of development as an individual. However, for youth men, sport is seen as part of their transitioning into adulthood. According to them, getting involved in sports activities was part of becoming a man even though it had no direct connection with their career aspirations. Most young people who participate in sports are driven by the need to show their competence in the given sport to their peers. Also, others used sports to experience and overcome the challenges posed by particular sports since they were good enough; on the other hand, most young women involved themselves in sports to excel and acquire respect from the men.
Young women decide not to participate in sports activities for many reasons which include; body issues and competitiveness. Many young girls worry about their body more than anything else; according to them getting sweaty is not feminine. Additionally, young women believe that sports are too competitive and that is an aspect embraced by boys and is not meant for them. Furthermore, there are higher possibilities for boys succeeding in sports than girls which are discouraging for most young women. Moreover, in schools, some PE lessons are still practicing the old sports which exclude the girls. These bad experiences and lack of active role models are the factors that act as challenges to girls in participating in sports activities (Coakley, & White, 2009). However, some schools have recognized this problem and introduce a variety of physical activities and sports that make the young women feel included.
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On the other hand, their male counterparts have different perspectives about sports which make them more active. While women are so concerned about their body being sweaty, for men, sports makes them more physically fit which is an important aspect of their lives. The men agree that sports are competitive and that’s the precise motivation so as to become the best and succeed among peers who are a big boost to their lives (Coakley, & White, 2009). Contrary to the young women experiences in schools, PE lessons serve as the beginning point for the young men. Once they acquire the required skills and learn how to be competitive, they go on later in life becoming even better in the particular sport they involve themselves in. This further supports the fact that there are many opportunities for young men to become successful in sports throughout their life.
Today, these arguments are still relevant and present in the lives of young people in Canada. In fact, according to a recent study, Canadians’ participation in sports across all ages is at an all-time low. Essentially, due to the hyper-competitive environment set up, mostly for the youths which excludes many who feel that they are not good enough. Many Canadians agree that sports have concentrated more on winning and having the best in the various activities at the expense of fair play and fun. People are focused on selecting talents too early that young people do not experience the fundamental role of sports at their stage which should be to enjoy and stay physically fit. As a result, by the time a person is 13 years, they have already given up on sports and invests their time on other unhealthy and illegal activities.
Reference
Coakley, J. & White, A. (2009). Making decisions: How young people become involved and stay involved in sports. In J. Coakley & P. Donnelly (Eds.) Inside Sports (pp. 77-85). New York, NY: Routledge.
