Firecracker
Subtitle: an examination of how adolescent female athletes understand their competitiveness
By: by Tracy Lynn Walker.
Published: 2005
Language: eng
Number of pages: 134
Subjects: Women athletes -- Atttiudes.; Teenage girls -- Attitudes.; Competition (Psychology); Competition (Psychology) in adolescence.
Other titles: Examination of how adolescent female athletes understand their competitiveness.
Description: This study examines some nuances of understanding of competitiveness among adolescent female athletes. Some research conducted by feminists and sport sociologists indicated that girls disdain competition to avert the possibility of damaging relationships. The author noticed an eagerness to compete in observation of female athletes recently which appeared to dispute previous research. To gain a current assessment of the attitudes and values around competitiveness of adolescent female athletes, ten players from a softball team participated in a focus group then were interviewed. Findings included that these athletes emphasized the significance of relationships formed on teams as well as with opponents. Although they value success, they refrain from overdoing a victory to preserve the dignity and willingness to compete of a lesser skilled opponent. These findings point towards a hybrid sport model combining the dominant "vanquish your opponent" and a cooperative "everyone wins" manner of sport behaviour.
Notes: Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2005.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-132)

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