Does Sport Foster Social Capital? The Contribution of Sport to a Lifestyle of Community Participation

Abstract

Little research has been done to date on the contribution of sport to a lifestyle of community participation. This is despite theoretical support from the social capital literature for the suggestion that the relationships and trust fostered through sport participation should lead to involvement in community activities outside of sport. The present study addresses this gap in the research by testing whether participation in organized youth sport positively predicts involvement in particular community activities as an adult. Based on an analysis of survey data collected from a representative sample of Canadians, the findings show that youth sport participation was positively related to adult involvement in community activities, although the predictive effects of youth sport participation were small. The findings also show that the effects of youth sport participation on adult participation in community activities lasted throughout the lifecycle. Both findings are consistent with the social capital literature.

Time Spent in Sports and Adolescent Problem Behaviors: A Longitudinal Analysis of Directions of Association

“…For example, many studies use a cross-sectional design (Donaldson, & Ronan, 2006;Endressen, & Olweus, 2005;Faulkner, et al, 2007;Hastad, et al, 1984;Harris, & Eccles, 2005;Perks, 2007;Rutten, et al, 2007) making it difficult to make any causal inferences between sport participation and associated problem behavior. Without controlling for previous problem behaviors, the extent to which sports participation predicts behavior is not entirely clear.…”

“…Through this work, a variety of intrinsic, or internal, motivators have been described. Some of the motivating factors that positively influence prolonged engagement in sport are related to the individual and include desires to have fun, to be with friends, and/or to demonstrate physical competence (Coakley, & White, 1992;Weiss, Smith, & Theeboom, 1996/2007Weiss, & Williams, 2004). Furthermore, Fraser-Thomas and Cote (2009) suggest that meaningful relationships with adults, a sense of community, and opportunities to explore positive life experiences also influence prolonged engagement.…”

“…While the choice of activities may vary among youth, evidence suggests that the greatest frequency of participation occurs in organized sports (Feldman, & Matjasko, 2007;Larson, et al, 2006). In many cases, sports are often touted as contexts to promote positive developmental outcomes in youth (Danish, Forneris, & Wallace, 2005;Fraser-Thomas, Cote, & Deakin, 2005;Hedstrom, & Gould, 2004;Larson, 2000;Perks, 2007;Rosewater, 2009). However, there is also evidence that suggests athletic participation can be associated with negative behaviors (Eccles, & Barber, 1999;Endressen, & Olweus, 2005;Klein, & Sorenson, 2002;Young, 2002).…”

Cross-Cultural Understanding Through Youth Sports: Bridging the Tolerance Gap Through Youth Development

“…Sports programs have proven to help youth establish peaceful and productive relations with their neighbors (Colliard, & Henley, 2005;Holden, & Wilde, 2004;Saskatchewan Culture, Youth and Recreation, 2003;United Nations, 2005). They have been shown to be highly successful for building bridges, fostering community involvement and creating friendships among youth (Perks, 2007). The team approach in sports leagues connects youth from different ethnic backgrounds.…”

Sport Development and Community Development

“…This policy focus but may have suffered an Anglophone bias outside of the UK. Canadian research on sport policy and social capital, for example, has highlighted how public policy can be informed and guided (see for example Canadian Policy Research Initiative, 2005) whilst also interpreting and informing on grass roots sport experiences in light of policy applications of social capital (Donnelly and Kidd 2003, Sharpe, 2006and Perks, 2007. Similarly Australian research has identified social capital as a key feature of sport and community development in rural communities (Tonts, 2005) and how policy intervention in football (soccer) can alter the community impact when creating social capital (Lock et al, 2008).…”