Abstract
Sports are a popular vehicle worldwide for supporting healthy youth development, and many sports program descriptions include a reference to youth empowerment. However, the definition and construct of empowerment in relation to youth sports have not been extensively researched. This study considers how youth sports programs define, address and measure empowerment. Surveys were completed through a combination of website reviews and interviews with program representatives, and data was analyzed using an inductive approach. Results include a descriptive definition of the empowerment process, as well as examples of program curricula and evaluation methods used. These findings suggest a need for the clarification of “empowerment” within the context of youth sports programs, as use of the term with lack of a clear basis could serve to undermine its effectiveness.
How to Cite
Squires, A., (2016) “Fostering Empowerment: A Review of Youth Sports Programs”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 29(2).
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