Role modeling and female athletes

Abstract

In order to examine the role-modeling patterns of female athletes, 94 high school and 71 college basketball players were surveyed regarding (a) which player they most emulated, (b) perceptions regarding male vs. female coaches as role models, and (c) preferred gender of coach. High school subjects showed a greater tendency to emulate another player, and the significant majority of player role models were female. High school subjects who perceived a difference considered female coaches to be superior role models, and the 52% with a preference favored a female coach. However, the college subjects who perceived a difference, regarded male coaches as better examples of what they wanted to be and the 42% with a preference favored a male coach.