Values in Children's Sport: Spontaneously Expressed Values Among Young Athletes

Values are considered to be a major influence on sport behaviour. The values underlying sports participation among young (12-16 yrs) football and tennis players (n=93) were examined by discussion of sport-specific moral dilemmas. Eighteen sport-relevant values which showed good correspondence with recent formulations of value structures were identified. Moral dilemmas in sport are explained as a conflict between competing types of values. It is suggested that examination of the values of significant others may explain value development in young athletes.

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