Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

This paper draws from research that illustrates the differences between “Concerted Cultivation”, a parenting style that is often linked to middle and upper middle-class households and “Accomplishment of Natural Growth” which is associated with working class and low-income households, while also incorporating research that examines the influence of parents, family members, coaches, and peers on black male athletic participation. This research originated from a multiple case study and utilized ethnographic methods, in-depth interviews and observations of parents and black males to investigate the influence of parental child rearing practices on the academic, social and athletic engagement of eight black male student-athletes. Findings highlighted that parents of academically and athletically motivated black male athletes, exposed their sons to sports and other non-athletic activities and programs at an early age and enrolled them in academically rigorous schools. Additionally, these experiences were instrumental factors in limiting exposure to violence in their neighborhoods. Other findings highlighted that parents of academically motivated black male athletes moved to neighborhoods and chose schools because of the academic and social opportunities, while parents of athletically motivated black males preferred schools that had competitive sports teams. This study has implications for expanding the understanding of the influence parents may have on their adolescents’ athletic, social and academic aspirations. Furthermore, it provides administrators and teachers insights into the home life of adolescents, which can be used to enhance programming and activities that support the social and academic development of black males and black male student athletes.