"Sport’s me life" : the role of sport in developing core, gender and civic identity in Australian young males

Abstract

Australians have often been described as being obsessed with sport. Whether this is true may be uncertain, but it does raise sport's role in how young males view themselves and their place in the world. Similar doubt exists about the cliche: 'Sport builds character', although it does allude to sport's role in young males' identity development. Current media and academic attention on sport's relationship with aggression, misogyny and anti-social behaviour is not entirely consistent with the author's sports experiences of playing, coaching and administration. Indeed, it could be considered at odds with his youth work experience utilising sport as a method of engaging with young males and developing pro-social attitudes and behaviours. This chapter will outline some of the key factors in literature connecting sport and the identity of young males, describe the research undertaken in relation to sport and civic engagement - with particular focus on identity, and disc11ss its implications for understanding identity development and valuing the strengths of young males in contemporary society