Abstract:
This research illuminates the relationship between female
adolescents' self-concept and their experience of physical education.
This was accomplished through three stages of interviews and a Qsort.
The topics through which the research was categorized included
peer support, teachers as significant others, meaningful connections
to the body, and curriculum content. During stage one female physical
education specialists, curriculum coordinators, and adolescents were
interviewed to develop Q-items for the Q-sort. The second stage
Involved two groups of females between the ages of 12 and 14 years
who participated in the Q-sort. The final stage involved an insight
group that consisted of four Q-sort participants who interpreted the
highest ranking Q-items. Critical to this research was giving these
adolescents the opportunity to voice what was important to them.
The results of the research included descriptions of the
elements in physical education that were deemed most important by
female adolescent students. The topics of "peer support" and
"meaningful connections to the body" were ranked the highest. By
interpreting the rich insights of the discussion group, it was found that
peers were most influential to these young girls. Perceiving and
bestowing respect were imperative in this stage of their lives.
