| ABSTRACT
Youth sports have been seen as being good for the athletes; to learn proper morals and behaviors that are important later in life. But what if youth sports are actually teaching the athletes behaviors that are undesirable: cheating, lying, and doing anything it takes to win. Using the Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health) data set, this study looks at youth sports participation and delinquency. Using Pearson's Chi Square and Analysis of Variance, this study seeks out an answer to this question. I conclude that sports participation is
related to some forms of deviance. Violent delinquencies such as participating in a fight, participating in group fights, and seriously injuring someone are significant when compared to sports participation. Non-violent delinquencies that are significant include damaging property, painting graffiti, and smoking cigarettes. While there is some significance, a more comprehensive study of sports participation and delinquent activities would allow for a better understanding of the connection between sports participation and delinquency. |