Abstract
Given the great importance of morality and values in modern sports, especially among young athletes, in this pilot study, we sought to broaden the exploration of the factors that may play role in these contexts, which have not been widely researched to date. Accordingly, the study tested the relationships between sport type (team or individual) and parenting styles (authoritative vs. non-authoritative), and moral decision-making in sport and sport values among 110 adolescent athletes whose age ranges from 11 to 22 (M = 16.04, SD = 2.86). The findings indicated that participants with authoritative parents, as compared to those with non-authoritative parents, are significantly less accepting of cheating in sport, while they also tend more to keep winning in proportion and hold significantly stronger moral values toward sports. Moreover, participants whose main sport is a team sport type tend to accept more cheating and gamesmanship than participants whose main sport is an individualistic sport type. While no differences were recorded between these groups in moral values, team athletes tend to value status in sport more than individual athletes, while the latter tend to value competence regarding their sport. The implications of the findings are discussed in light of no interaction between the effects of parenting styles and sport type on moral and sport values.
Highlights
The professionalization and commercialization of sports emphasize the need for wins over participation
Young individual-sports athletes will differ from young team-sports athletes in moral decision-making in sport and sport values, so that the former would express lower acceptance of cheating and gamesmanship, a stronger tendency to keep winning in proportion, and stronger moral values in sport
Young athletes who perceive their parents as authoritative will differ from young athletes who perceive their parents as either authoritarian or permissive in moral decisionmaking in sport and sport values, so that the former would express lower acceptance of cheating and gamesmanship, a stronger tendency to keep winning in proportion, and stronger moral values in sport
Summary
The professionalization and commercialization of sports emphasize the need for wins over participation. This combination of sportsmanship and competitiveness has created a conflict between values and functionality (Levental, 2020). A moral dilemma arises, related to the desire and need to win against the importance of participation and following the rules of the game, or as Jones and David Howe (2005) suggest, a contest between fairness and merit (Jones and David Howe, 2005). There is importance in examining the internalization of moral standards among young athletes (Whitehead et al, 2013). The distinction made between the competition-game context and life itself should be addressed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
