Publisher's Synopsis
This special issue brings together conceptual ideas and empirical findings on the possible outcomes--both positive and negative--that arise from children's involvement in physical activity, sports, and recreation. The contributors demonstrate the connection between these youth programs and the potential for the development of healthy venues for conflict resolution in everyday life. The articles deal with many of the far-reaching empirical and theoretical issues at the forefront of current scholarly concern as follows:
* How physical education settings can provide the opportunity for the maturation of motor, organizational, and social skills;
* How sports programs can be designed to teach values, conflict resolution skills, and empowerment to children in at-risk communities;
* How the disappearance of community support for sports programs in urban areas affects the youth population as a result; and
* How the sports context can be used as a way to teach healthy competition or to foster the development of aggression.
