A study published in the Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise looked at how gender and parenting styles affect sportsmanship in kids around 12 years old during PE class.
Researchers found that most students showed high levels of sportsmanship overall. However, girls were more likely than boys to show good behavior and avoid bad behavior during sports activities.
When it came to family influence, kids from democratic households (where parents set clear rules but also support and listen to their children) were better at avoiding bad behavior in sports compared to those from more “permissive” or relaxed families. This tells us that parenting style can affect how children behave during games.
These findings matter because kids go through many changes during early adolescence. Teaching them good sportsmanship at this age helps them work well with others.
Understanding the Research
The study was done by giving surveys to 300 students in middle school (6th-8th grade) to learn about their sportsmanship during PE class. The students were chosen randomly, and they answered the surveys in person with help if they had questions.
The survey included questions about their behavior in sports, such as whether they followed the rules, showed respect, and avoided bad behavior. It also asked about their gender and what kind of parenting style they experienced at home.
The main tool used was a special sportsmanship scale with 22 questions. Half of the questions focused on good behavior, and the other half focused on avoiding bad behavior.
Here are the important findings from the study:
Girls had better sportsmanship than boys. They were more likely to show good behavior (such as being fair and respectful) and avoid bad behavior (like arguing or being rude) during PE class.
Kids who came from democratic families were better at avoiding bad behavior during sports. Their sportsmanship scores were higher than kids from more permissive (liberal) families.
However, family style did not make a big difference when it came to showing positive behavior. It mostly influenced how well they avoided negative behavior.
Only 17% of the students had a sports license or played sports competitively. The rest participated in PE but weren’t involved in official sports teams or clubs. (Despite this, most students still showed good sportsmanship.)
Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
So, how can parents and caregivers promote good sportsmanship and positive behavior during sports, even if their child isn’t on a competitive team? Based on the study’s findings, here are a few ideas:
Keep your child active
Keep your child moving! Whether it’s joining a school club, playing outside with friends, or taking part in community sports, staying active helps kids release energy in healthy ways. It also gives them more chances to practice teamwork within a group.
Even if they don’t play competitively, activities like walking, biking, or doing family fitness can benefit them.
Talk about respect, whether they win or lose
Let your child know that how they play the game matters more than winning. You can talk about what it means to be a good sport. Use real-life examples from their own games or news stories.
Point out and praise the moments when they help a teammate or shake hands after a match.
Help them learn simple ways to stay calm
Sports can bring up big feelings like excitement or even anger. For example, they might feel upset if they miss a shot. Teach them simple strategies to manage those emotions, such as taking deep breaths, counting to five, or stepping away for a moment.
You can even practice calming techniques at home so they’re easier to use during real games.
The researchers believe that keeping kids active and teaching them good sportsmanship during early adolescence, while understanding their differences, helps them become more well-behaved and emotionally healthy.
