This study involved the investigation of sport role models for adolescent girls in Australia. Initially, a theoretical perspective is presented based on social learning and gender theory. Then, using quantitative and qualitative data obtained through two focus group interviews and a survey (n = 357) conducted at two Sydney high schools, the authors establish a profile of a sport role model for adolescent girls. Results showed that a relatively small percentage of girls (8.4 percent) perceived a sports person to be their role model, with a large percentage of girls nominating a role model from the family (mother), peer or entertainment domains. The majority of girls with a sport role model described the model as female, under 40 years of age with a similar sporting background to themselves who display essential masculine and feminine qualities. Using the profile of a sport role model, several suggestions are made which could enhance initiatives and programs for adolescent girls in physical education and sport.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001) Basic Community Profile Sydney 105. Canberra: ABS .
2.
Australian Sports Commission (1991) Sport for Young Australians: Widening the Gateways to Participation. Canberra: Australian Sports Commission .
3.
Australian Sports Commission (1999) How to Include Women and Girls in Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity: Strategies and Good Practice. Canberra: Australian Sports Commission .
4.
Australian Sports Commission (2003) Towards Better Sports: Good Practices for Women and Girls in Sport. Canberra: Australian Sports Commission .
5.
Babkes, M.L. and Weiss, M.R. (1999) ‘Parental Influence on Children’s Cognitive and Affective Responses to Competitive Soccer Participation’ , Pediatric Exercise Science11(1): 44-62 .
6.
Bandura, A. (1986) Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall .
7.
Bauman, A. , Bellow, B. , Vita, P. , Brown, W. and Owen, N. (2002) Getting Australia Active: Towards Best Practice for the Promotion of Physical Activity. Melbourne: National Public Health Partnership .
8.
Biskup, C. and Pfister, G. (1999) ‘I Would Like to Be Like Her/Him: Are Athletes Models for Boys and Girls?’ , European Physical Education Review5(3): 199-219 .
9.
Bromnick, R.D. and Swallow, B.L. (1999) ‘I Like Being Who I Am: A Study of Young People’s Ideals’ , Educational Studies25(2): 117-128 .
10.
Crosswhite, J. and Vescio, J. (1999a) ‘Case Studies of Initiatives to Increase Teenage Girls’ Participation in Sport and Recreation: Volume 1: Sharing Good Practice’. Report to the Women’s Sport Unit, NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
11.
Crosswhite, J. and Vescio, J. (1999b) ‘Case Studies of Initiatives to Increase Teenage Girls’ Participation in Sport and Recreation: Volume 2: Audits of Case Studies’. Report to the Women’s Sport Unit, NSW Department of Sport and Recreation .
12.
Daloz, L.A. (1986) Effective Teaching and Mentoring. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass .
13.
De Knop, P. , Engstrom, L.-M. , Skirstad, B. and Weiss, M.R. (1996) Worldwide Trends In Youth Sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics .
14.
Doyle, A. (2001) Developmental Aspects of Person Perception: Does it Underlie Girls’ Perceptions of Their Role Models. Honours Dissertation, University of Newcastle, Australia.
15.
Doyle, A. and Wilde, K. (2001) ‘A Developmental Investigation of Girls’ Role Models in a School Setting’, AbbSearch Conference Paper, Sydney , November 2001.
16.
Erikson, E.H. (1968) Identity: Youth and Crisis. New York: W. W. Norton .
17.
Griffin, P. (1998) Strong Women, Deep Closets. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics .
18.
Hargreaves, J. (2000) Heroines of Sport. London: Routledge .
19.
Javidan, M. , Bemmels, B. , Devine, K.S. and Dastmalchian, A. (1995) ‘Superior and Subordinate Gender and the Acceptance of Superiors as Role Models’ , Human Relations48: 1271-1284 .
20.
Kluka, D.A. , Melling, C. and Scoretz, D. (2000) Women, Sport and Physical Activity: Sharing Good Practice. Berlin: International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education .
21.
Lockwood, P. and Kunda, Z. (1997) ‘Superstars and Me: Predicting the Impact of Role Models on the Self’ , Journal of Personality and Social Psychology73(1): 91-103 .
22.
Lockwood, P. and Kunda, Z. (1999) ‘Increasing the Salience of One’s Best Selves Can Undermine the Inspiration by Outstanding Role Models’ , Journal of Personality and Social Psychology75(2): 214-228 .
23.
Lopiano, D.A. (1994) ‘Equity in Women’s Sport: A Health and Fairness Perspective’ , The Athletic Woman13(2): 281-296 .
24.
Lutter, J.M. and Jaffee, L. (1996) The Bodywise Woman. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics .
25.
MacCallum, J. and Beltman, S. (2002) Role Models for Young People: What Makes an Effective Role Model Program?Hobart: Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies .
26.
McInerney, D.M. and McInerney, V. (1998) Educational Psychology: Constructing Learning. Sydney: Prentice Hall .
27.
Malaxos, S. and Westwood, N. (1997) Teenage Girls’ Perceptions on Participation in Sport. Girls Want to Play Sport... But Why Don’t They?Perth: Womensport West .
28.
Marcia, J.E. (1994) ‘The Empirical Study of Ego Identity’ in H.A. Bosma , T.L.G. Graafsma , H.D. Grotevant and D.J. De Levita (eds) Identity and Development. Newbury Park, CA: Sage .
29.
Schofield, L. , Mummery, K. , Schofield, G. and Walmsely, H. (2002) ‘Adolescent Girls and Inactivity: Insights from the Central Queensland Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Study’ , The ACHPER Healthy Lifestyles Journal49(2): 17-22 .
30.
Schunk, D.H. and Zimmerman, B.J. (1996) ‘Modeling and Self-efficacy Influences on Children’s Development of Self-regulation’ in J. Juvonen and K.R. Wenzel (eds) Social Motivation: Understanding Children’s School Adjustment, pp. 154-180. New York: Cambridge University Press .
31.
Vescio, J.A. and Crosswhite, J.J. (2002) ‘Sharing Good Practice: Teenage Girls, Sport and Physical Activity’ , Journal of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance38(3): 47-53 .
32.
Weiss, M.R. , McCullagh, P. , Smith, A.L. and Berlant, A.R. (1998) ‘Observational Learning and the Fearful Child: Influence of Peer Models on Swimming Skill Performance and Psychological Responses’ , Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport69(4): 380-388 .
33.
Women’s Sports Foundation (1992) Women’s Sports Facts. East Meadow, New York: Women’s Sports Foundation .
34.
Yancey, A.K. (1998) ‘Building Positive Self-image in Adolescents in Foster Care, the Use of Role Models in an Interactive Group Approach’ , Adolescence33(3): 253-267 .
