Gender is a socially constructed, multi-faceted issue, which is not based on biological differences. The roles of parents, peers and the media are imperative in this construction, especially in the area of sport. Sport is an integral aspect of life, and is an important issue in childhood and adolescence. Education and mass media are powerful agents of socialization and play influential roles in the construction of masculinity and femininity. Yet these could be the agents that break down these images and promote change within our society. This essay looks at the many issues involved with gender and sport, and gives achievable implications to promote change.
             Children do not learn how to act male or female by being passive. They actively participate in activities that assist in developing their gender. As well, children receive messages from around them that reinforce notions of what it is to be male or female. Children are socialized into their respective genders from the clothes they wear, to toys, magazines and from parents dressing infant girls in pink, and boys in blue (Thorne, 1993, p.2). Children's gender constructions are very strongly influenced by prominent figures; parents, teachers and other adults. It is therefore inevitable that a child entering the first years of schooling will already have acquired notions of what it is to be male or female.
             Sport plays an important role in society, particularly within a school environment. Historically, females have not been expected to excel in physical feats...males were believed to be stronger, faster and naturally better athletes. However, today's highly trained female athlete is not much different from her male counterpart .Girls numbers are increasing in previously male dominated sports, particularly in the lower grades of school, where the emphasis is placed on participation and 'having a go'. Although more girls and women participate in sports today than
             ...