Toward a Critical Socio-Ecological Understanding of Black Girls' School Sport Participation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Reviewing Diverse Minorities Among College Athletics

Abstract

Black girls in sport may receive holistic health benefits from participation. Yet, socioecological factors limit their participation. Given how race and gender work simultaneously to permeate the meanings and motivations influencing Black girls’ sport participation, the purpose of this study was to provide a critical socioecological understanding of Black girls’ school’s sport participation. 27 middle girls were interviewed using semi- structured interviews. Four aspects of Black girls’ school sport participation were identified: Social Support, Gender Dynamics, Access, and Internal Motivation. Implications suggest that Black girls desire to participate in sport and require social support from adult relatives, a dedicated and equipped physical activity space, and component physical educators with support from school administrators to engage in beneficial sport experiences.

Author

• Joyce Olushola Ogunrinde, University of Houston