ADOLESCENT GIRLS MOTIVES BEHIND THE LACK OF PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

Abstract

This study was devised to explore adolescent girls’ reasons and motives for the non participation in physical education, in a secondary school in the South Wales region. A qualitative approach to the data collection method was implemented so that the researcher could identify which experiences lead to which consequences resulting in useful explanations. Focus groups were used to actively encourage group discussion in order to obtain in-depth information concerning the individual girls own experiences, and to generate common themes. As part of the methodological procedure, the focus groups were transcribed and the data was analysed deductively and organised into five themes; (a) girls pride in their own personal appearance, (b) the influence of boys, (c) the influence of teachers, (d) peer pressure and friendship groups and (e) the affect of growing up. The findings from this study indicated that these five themes were the main issues regarding the participation in physical education amongst adolescent girls. Sub themes occurred between the main themes regarding the levels of self confidence the girls obtain resulting in the interference of these main factors. Make up and hair, boys watching, teachers lack of enthusiasm and friendship groups trends were recognised as the main influencing factors for adolescent girl’s non participation. The findings of this study replicate many ideological perspectives previously encountered by researchers. This research highlights the main problems associated with adolescent girl’s hindrance to participation; it therefore provides a basis for teachers and educators to work from in order to overcome these problems.