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P A R T 5
Social Factors Affecting Sports Participation

The socialization process is shaped by a series of multiple experiences whether or not to participate in
sports. Every new experience emerges from the social and cultural situation in which it takes place. There
are many scientific studies that show that participation in sports has many positive physical, psychological,
sociological and cultural effects on participants "except when participation is excessively frequent, too
rigid or excessively competitive" (Curtis et al., 1999). There are various social factors that affect
participation in sports and that can affect the participation of individuals in some cases.
Socialization towards sports does not occur in isolation from the rest of society. Many groups of people
around the world do not have equal access to many opportunities. This type of discrimination also occurs
in the context of sports. Different social factors can greatly affect an individual's access to sports. These
factors, such as gender, socio-economic status, race and ethnicity, can increase or hinder opportunities to
participate in sport. A person's participation in sport is based on their experience in a social context and
the meaning these experiences have for each individual. Unless there is some kind of intervention,
children are likely to have opportunities to engage in similar physical activities as their parents. While the
current literature has covered some of these issues in more depth than others, it is important to continue
the discussion.
Gender
Exercising is an important tool for socialization. The existence of different views and standards on the
participation of men and women in sports in societies results in women's encountering some obstacles in
their participation in sports, depending on their gender role. Many studies have shown that the
percentage of women participating in sports is lower than men (Van Tuyckom et al., 2010). Therefore,
knowing the facilitating and hindering factors of women's participation in sports can help increase
women's participation in sports. Socialization for sports is often gender-based, due to stereotypical
assumptions that boys should be more active than girls and that sports activities are more appropriate for
boys than girls. Therefore, socialization in sports differs for boys and girls (Stroot, 2001). Gender roles are
defined particularly prominently in the context of sports, and despite the increase in girls' participation in
sports in recent years, gender norms are thought to favor mostly boys' participation in sports (Heinze et
al., 2017). Sport is seen as an important arena to develop and strengthen male identity and is considered
as an area where 'men achieve status through athletic ability'. However, many studies show that the same
is not true for girls (Heinze et al., 2017). Consistent with the assumption that sport is primarily a masculine
endeavor, parents particularly support young boys' participation in sport. In addition, it can be said that
sports success contributes more to boys than girls in gaining status and prestige (Heinze et al., 2017).

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