The trend and/or issue such as ’Dropping Out of Sport' Margot Bowes Chris Williams 2011

Overview of Workshop Critical Evaluation and unpacking the 2011 specs and examiner report. Look at previous questions and then develop a moot for courtroom debate. Traps not to fall into Why Kids Drop out of sport? SPARC Research and 10 recommendations (Billy Merchant) Critical Reading and preparing for small group debate? Using SPEECH & then courtroom debate

2011 Physical Education Scholarship Exam Specs Content/Context Details Questions will draw on candidates’ knowledge from the following areas; Planning, implementation and/or evaluation of physical activity programmes/experiences, drawing upon knowledge underpinning achievement standards and Trends and/or issues impacting on New Zealand society, such as dropping out of sport, drawing upon knowledge underpinning achievement standard Programmes for performance improvement drawing upon knowledge underpinning achievement standards 90741, Physical activity, health promotion and taking action drawing upon knowledge underpinning achievement standards 90739, 90740, 90743,

Icebreaker The main reason kids are dropping out of sport is because schools and parents take it too seriously

‘ Critical Evaluation” is the process of making informed and valid judgements or conclusions supported by comprehensive knowledge and evidence. Throughout the process we challenge assumptions and taken for granted points of view through reflecting and examining pros and cons, bias and different perspectives”

2010 Examiners report for this spec Specifically candidates: defined ‘cotton wool kids’ and what it might mean from a range of perspectives Define dropping out of sport and what this might mean? And what this might mean as an impact on NZ society? critically discussed what a trend might be, also considered the difference between a trend and an issue What is the difference between a trend and an issue? How would you answer this question if dropping out of sport was proposed as an issue or a growing trend impacting on NZ society? looked at a wide range of perspectives as to what ‘cotton woolling’ might be/mean What perspectives could you look at dropping out of sport from?

did not make assumptions that ‘cotton wool kids’ was about inactivity, and developed an argument that ‘cotton wool kids’ could be about too much organisation by parents What are the assumptions traps that you need to make sure you don’t fall into? questioned whether or not NZ was a nation of ‘cotton wool kids’ and parents who foster it, or if there were just some aspects of it. What would be important to question here? What is the evidence? Is it valid? made comment on some impacts on New Zealand society but missed the opportunity to critically evaluate whether or not this was throughout New Zealand or if it was more localised e.g. rural versus urban. What are/could be the impacts on NZ society? How could you critically evaluate these?

Trends and Issues Which is which? A swing, topic, question, shift, theme, move, concern The general direction in which something is going A change or development in a general direction. A bend or turn away in a specified direction An important topic for debate or resolution Treat seriously as a problem A subject for discussion or concern

Previous Questions 2010 Spec2010 Question Trends and/or issues impacting on New Zealand society, such as “cotton wool kids”, drawing upon knowledge underpinning achievement standard In recent times, popular media have reported on the growing trend towards a generation of “cotton wool kids” and its potential impact on New Zealand society. Consider an extract – from ezinearticles.com/?Are-Your-Children-Cotton- Wool-Kids? – given this in the paper Critically evaluate the growing trend towards a generation of “cotton wool kids” and its potential impact on New Zealand society. Illustrate your evaluation with appropriate examples from your own knowledge and experience.

2009 Spec2009 Question Society and physical activity drawing upon knowledge underpinning achievement standard Consider a current physical activity event, trend, or issue impacting on New Zealand society you have studied. This may include, but is not limited to, topics such as: amateurism versus professionalism in sport body image and representation child obesity commercialisation in sport fitness crazes Maori and/or Pasifika festival(s) sports clothing the Olympics Drawing on your knowledge of the current physical activity, trend, or issue, critically evaluate its impact on NZ society. Your evaluation may also consider the causes/influences of the event, trend or issue and how its perceived.

2011 Exam – Possible question formats – Brainstorm Spec2011 Question Trends and/or issues impacting on New Zealand society, such as dropping out of sport, drawing upon knowledge underpinning achievement standard

2011 Critically evaluate the issue of kids and adolescents dropping out of sport and its potential impact on New Zealand society. Illustrate your evaluation with appropriate examples from your own knowledge and experience.

EXAM QUESTION From the ideas of what the exam question might be come up with a moot (focussed on the impact on NZ society) for a debate at the end of this session. Remember the moot needs to be a statement.

Possible Moot Why play sport when there are so many other more exciting things for kids to do today?

?????Is this…….. Remember to question if this is: A societal assumption Personal judgement based on your experience/s Based on research etc Things to consider – bias, privilege, power, and disadvantage

READINGS Your group is going to be given different articles to read based around the issue/trend of ’dropping out of sport' You need to read 1 of the articles and complete the following: Gather evidence towards your moot and summarise key points back to your group Share any other research you may have looked at in your schools/links to personal experience/s Use SPEECH handouts to record key points across the readings

SPEECH SOCIAL Influences of the community, including how well people are included, supported and cared for by one another POLITICAL The legal and policy decisions made by organisations that provide national or regional public services. ENVIRONMENTAL Environment (or physical) influences (eg having safe recreational facilities available that are unpolluted, and accessible to people of different abilities). ECONOMICAL How much money people and communities have access to is a big influence on what opportunities people have. (Economic influences are usually closely connected with political influences). CULTURAL Culture comes in many forms, be it ethnic-based, youth culture, sporting culture, national culture, etc. Culture is about the values, beliefs and practices of a group of people that get passes from one generation to the next. A cultural group will have certain values and practices that identify it as a cultural group. HISTORICAL What has happened in the past; historic influences are usually closely tied to cultural influences.

REMEMBER Think broadly about a range of SPEECH factors AND Link back to the impact on NZ society

DEBATE You now have a few minutes to clarify your thoughts around the moot before the debate begins.

Pros and Cons of Dropping out of sport

Obesity Inactivity Sedentary lifestyles Naturally decreases with age Doing other things Work and study pressures Unrealistic expectations Early specialization Peaking early Conflict with social life Lifestyle transitions Hauora Caring supportive coaches Coach’s communication skills Athlete-centred coaching Family culture Family structure

To drop out of sport? Lack of interest Too competitive Fields always closed Cost over full season Over zealous parents Coaches (overcoaching or favouritism) No fun Gender-specific reasons- effects of mixed teams, rigid notions of feminity or masculinity Poor quality PE Health benefits Voluntary Fun Recreational Informal, social Evidence that participation has increased Offer wide range Quality sport in PE Reduce emphasis on winning Reduce parental involvement Friends

Traps not to fall into: Candidates who were not awarded Scholarship or Scholarship with Outstanding Performance typically did not define what ‘cotton wool kids’ might be immediately assumed that this meant that kids were inactive and therefore would be obese attempted to write a prepared essay, without reading the question eg: childhood obesity did not comment on the impact on NZ society. All workshop material can be found at:

Factors that seem to be important Family sporting culture important Family demographics Family networks Interaction of gender, social class, ethnicity, age Life phases and transitions Participation increase with socio- economic status, 2 parent families, Participation patterns set by 16 Participation decreases as students get older Higher education seems to have little effect Effected by life events and transitions Voluntary nature important Needs to mostly be fun, social and informal Participation levels set more by family culture than PE Sport in PE seen as artificial

Final Thoughts Key Terms Socialization Habitus Social Capital Some Conclusions Offer a wide range Make it voluntary Praise not rewards Coaching to a minimum Mentoring Friends Life Transition periods crucial Role of media crucial

References Coakley, J.L. (2004). Sport and society: Issues and controversies (8th Ed.). St. Louis: Times Mirror/Mosby. Fraser-Thomas, J., Côté, J., & Deakin, J. (2008). Understanding dropout and prolonged engagement in adolescent competitive sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 9(5), Slater, A., & Tiggemann, M. (2010). “Uncool to do sport”: A focus group study of adolescent girls’ reasons for withdrawing from physical activity.Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11(6), Wheeler, S. (2011). The significance of family culture for sports participation. International review for the sociology of sport.pp1-18. Whitehead, S., & Biddle, S. (2008). Adolescent girls' perceptions of physical activity: A focus group study. European Physical Education Review, 14(2), Newspaper Articles : GRAY, K. (2006). Message to teens: Fight fat, keep fit, have fun.. The Press p. A5. Study shows girls slow down at weekends. (2009) The Press p. A7 Reid, F. Keeping kids involved in sport North Shore Times