The preferences of gender : study of low female enrollment in high school physical education

Power, Francis Joseph (1996) The preferences of gender : study of low female enrollment in high school physical education. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons why many female students in the Avalon North Integrated School Board were not participating in Physical Education courses 1100, 2100, and 3100. Nine high schools were used in the study, with a total population of 2079 students. Of that total, 1827 students participated. The study was conducted during the 1993-1994 school year. A questionnaire was administered to Physical Education participants and non-participants. This population comprised male and female students, although not in equal numbers. A review of current pertinent literature suggested a number of causes of non-participation by females in high school Physical Education courses. The questionnaire used for the present study was designed to ascertain the significance of these causes, which have been referred to as themes for the purpose of this study. Eleven such themes were investigated, namely, awareness of benefits, curriculum, embarrassment, facilities/equipment, few role models, hygiene factors, previous experience, social factors, teaching methodology, timetable conflicts, and gender discrimination. -- Based on the means of responses for each theme, it was shown that the strongest deterrents to enrollment for females were hygiene factors, and previous experience in Physical Education classes.

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