Sports and Schools

The significance of physical education in schools is still an issue of debate. In some countries, it has been substantially reduced—and in some cases completely eliminated—in response to budget concerns and pressures to improve academic test scores. Yet, many researchers assert that children who are physically active and fit tend to perform better in the classroom and that daily physical education does not adversely affect academic performance.

Sociologists also argue that in addition to preventing deviance and malfunctioning in society, sport represents a social institution through which a person learns how to participate in social life and gains knowledge of the norms and functions in society. Although gender and physical conditions may negatively affect practicing sport in schools, there is a growing global concern to provide ...