Does developmental level affect stereotyping of sporting activities?

Research has indicated that a child’s natural state of activity gradually deteriorates during adolescence into a more sedentary lifestyle (Riddoch & Boreham, 1995:Sports Medicine,19, 86–102). Often, this sedentary lifestyle is a result of children withdrawing from sport because of gender stereotyping of physical or sporting activities (Pellet & Harrison, 1992:Play and Culture, 5, 305–313) early in adolescence. In effect, children leave sporting activities where they are not suited to the dominant ideology of heterosexual masculinity and femininity. The present study provided a developmental examination of gender stereotyping of sporting activities among participants in the specialising years (ages 13–16 years) of sport participation.