Lessons of the Locker Room: The Myth of School Sports

by Andrew W. Miracle

Do sports build character? An anthropologist and a sociologist explore the underpinnings of school sports and examine the evidence to support the prevailing assumption that sport is an ennobling experience. They find that participation has little effect on positive character development. Far from building model citizens, their research shows that competitive team sports may foster selfish motives and antisocial behavior. Rather than learning self-sacrifice and dedication, athletes often pick up the message that "winning isn't everything - it's the only thing."

243 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Cindy Musbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was exactly what I already thought about the lessons that kids learn in the locker room.