Deter Juvenile Delinquency Utilizing Interscholastic Sports

The relationship between interscholastic sport and juvenile delinquency has been a topic of discussion for many years. One reason cited by educators, sociologists, and parents for including sports programs in educational and community settings is their potential for diminishing delinquency (Donnelly, 1981). However, several sociologists have presented an alternative view. For example, Tappan (1949) has stated that sport is no deterrent to delinquency, providing evidence that if a child is prone to law violations, it will probably take more than sport to effectively stop the pattern of law violations. The purpose of this presentation is to examine both the positive and negative effects of interscholastic sport on juvenile delinquency, with the notion of further discussion for new ideas and mindsets