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Published on: May 31, 2021
Gender differences in adolescent sport participation, teasing, self-objectification and body image concerns
1School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. amy.slater@flinders.edu.au
Journal of Adolescence
|July 21, 2010
Summary
Adolescent girls participate less in sports and face more teasing, impacting their body image. These factors may explain lower sports participation rates among girls.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Adolescent Psychology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Adolescent participation in sports and physical activity is crucial for development.
- Understanding gender-based differences in physical activity and body image is essential.
- Teasing within the physical activity domain can negatively affect adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine gender differences in sport and physical activity participation among adolescents.
- To investigate teasing experiences related to physical activity across genders.
- To explore the relationship between physical activity, body image, and self-objectification in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 714 adolescents (12-16 years old; 332 girls, 382 boys).
- Assessed participation in organized sport and physical activities.
- Measured experiences of teasing, self-objectification, and body image.
Main Results:
- Girls participated in organized sport at lower rates than boys.
- Girls reported higher levels of teasing from same-sex and opposite-sex peers.
- Time in aesthetic physical activities correlated with disordered eating symptoms in both genders.
Conclusions:
- Teasing and body image concerns may deter adolescent girls from sports participation.
- Gender disparities exist in adolescent physical activity and teasing experiences.
- Further research is needed to address these gender-specific challenges in physical activity.
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