Resume Ed 106 276 Sp 009 187

This study was undertaken in order to identify and describe the nature of socialization of females into sport. A fixed-alternative questionnaire was administered to 585 women who were currently active in sport. Results indicated that peers and family were the significant agents of socialization during childhood, peers and school were aost significant during adolescence, and peers were most significant during adulthood. Also, a dominant influence from male rather than female role aodels was evident during childhood, partially evident during adolescence, but rejected at the adult stage as female role aodels became sore significant. It was also found that a stronger reference group' influence was associated with younger ages, while a stronger opportunity set was not. No statistically significant relationship was found in the comparison of correlations between reference group influence and active sport involvement. It was also found that sport type was a function of socioeconomic status. Team sport participants tended to come from a low socioeconomic background, while individual and dual sports participants were identified with a higher socioeconomic status. No relationship was found between sport type and family versus peer influence. Nor was any found when socioeconomic status and type of reference group influence were examined. (PB)