This study was tested: (1) at similar levels of involvement (high or low), males would be discriminated from females by significant others; (2) value toward sport would discriminated between high-and low-involved males and females; (3) for high levels...
This study was tested: (1) at similar levels of involvement (high or low), males would be discriminated from females by significant others; (2) value toward sport would discriminated between high-and low-involved males and females; (3) for high levels of involvement, fathers would be the most discriminating variable for both males and females. 396 subjects, ages 12 to 13 years, were randomly selected based on the multi-staged cluster sampling technique and 370 youths responded to a fixed-alternative questionnaire which examined the influences of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers on the sport involvement of males and females. Within-sex discriminant analyses revealed fathers as predominant socializing agents for high-involved males, while all agents discriminated between high and low females. Between-sex discriminant analyses revealed significant differences only for high-involved males and females. Results were discussed in terms of early parental socialization practices and the encouragement necessary to increase sport involvement, particularly for females.