Adolescents in Sports: the All-Delinquent Team

Analyzed through the lens of social-bond theory, this thesis examines the relationship between sports participation and delinquency among adolescents. The purpose of this thesis is to better understand whether sports can serve as an effective intervention strategy for policy makers, government agencies and criminal justice branches that deal directly with at risk-youth or offenders who can benefit from sports-related programs. Through the use of a meta-analysis methodological design, the findings uncovered through common literature will reflect the extent to which social-bond theory can sufficiently explain delinquency among athletes. Traditionally, sports-participation and physical activity have been connected to prosocial stereotypes and the belief that adolescents will develop character-building morals. Although many situations including sports-participation are mainly positive across most facets, there is further evidence to suggest that unintended, antisocial-developing consequences can arise from participation in sports-related activities. Jock identity and unstructured socializing were highlighted as major factors for delinquency among athletes, whereas the pedagogical sports-environment serves as a possible deterrence model for delinquency. With further extensive research into this topic, the development of a pedagogical sports model can provide more athletes with an exceptional prosocial experience. Similarly, sports participation and sports-related intervention strategies can be utilized to address and combat youth-crime