The Impact of Parental Support on Children’s Orientation Toward Sport

Abstract

Parental support plays a critical role in shaping children's participation and persistence in sports. However,
the perspectives of parents with athletic backgrounds remain underexplored in the literature. This study aims
to examine the role of parents with sporting backgrounds in shaping their children's orientation toward sports
and to explore their perceptions of this process. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed. The
study included 15 parents of children actively engaged in sports at various school levels. Data were collected
through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that sport
contributes to children's discipline, self-confidence, socialisation, and academic achievement, although exam
periods present challenges. Parental approaches to professional athletic careers varied: some prioritised
individual happiness and talent, whereas others emphasised balancing sport with academic success and
societal values. Although the egalitarian nature of sport was widely acknowledged, cultural and patriarchal
norms were found to limit this potential, particularly in girls' discipline choices. In conclusion, sport plays a
central role in children's personal development and social value production. Parental education programmes
and balanced sport-academic policies are essential for sustainable youth development, particularly to address
gender-based limitations and infrastructure deficiencies.