Women, sport and education

Master of EducationThis thesis discusses the nature and significance of sport for girls in Australian schools and addresses the issue of the single-sex and coeducational learning environments. While it is clear that there are no obvious physiological or psychological reasons for the current underrepresentation of females in sport, male construed and transmitted values deeply embedded in Australian society still continue to shape attitudes and perceptions of the role of women in sport and physical recreation. The impact of the socializing forces including the family, teachers and the media is sufficiently influential to produce a significant disparity between male and female sports participation. This problem is examined and evaluated with ideas proposed to develop and foster a more equitable representation of women in sport