Introduction
Sport is an important part of modern life, whether it is experienced directly or as an observer. It is common for educational systems to encourage interest in sports because it puts personal and psychological resilience under pressure. However, the question of whether sport actually helps develop character still raises disputes. After all, many competitions presuppose artificial scenarios not compatible with real life. It is reasonable to suggest that the use of physical force in sports teaches a different moral lesson. Exploration of the positive and negative influences of sport on reasoning is essential in ascertaining the importance of a positive environment for character building.
Discussion
On the one hand, sport does not build character because of the artificial nature of the competition environment. This argument is espoused by Bredemeier and Shields (2009) who accentuated the transformation that athletes had to undergo in order to reach the mental state necessary for performing in a competition. Regardless of how decent a person in day-to-day life is, they have to assume a different attitude to compete and win. The necessity to overcome one’s emotional and moral barriers is not consistent with the overall moral principles, which regulate behavior in all circumstances.
Furthermore, moral reasoning induced by sport transfers to the daily perception of the world. This is evidenced by Bredemeier and Shields (2009) who reference research findings that “nonathletes had significantly more mature moral reasoning than did the basketball players” (p. 3). This revelation can be explained if the consistency of morality is considered – the more frequent a person’s moral reasoning is, the stronger their convictions are. As athletes have to intentionally assume a different outlook, their overall morality suffers as it is not as consistent.
On the other hand, sport helps build character due to the release of energy. As people are influenced by their energy levels and emotions, they have to release accumulated tension. Those who are not able to manage it properly, are at higher risk of engaging in illegal and immoral behavior. Sport provides the release of energy, which lowers tension, thus making inappropriate behaviors less likely. Furthermore, an athlete who is used to moral transformations is also aware of the necessity to assume a normal mental state after the competition is over.
Moreover, there is evidence that participation in sports does make people less violent. The systematic review by Jugl et al. (2021) has discovered that participation in sports is statistically related to reduced recidivism, better anger control, psychological well-being, and collaborative behavior. It proves that sport itself does not necessarily lead to weaker moral reasoning. When participation in competitions is combined with team playing, sport becomes an effective precursor to moral reasoning. Team-based games provide athletes with a social environment fostering trust, cooperation, and other values, which are essential for the development of strong and moral character.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sport does contribute to character building as long as it is supported by a positive environment. There is statistical data, indicating both the improvement in behavior caused by sport, as well as the deterioration of moral reasoning of athletes in comparison to non-athletes. The subsequent implication is that the environment determines the morality of individuals. If surrounding people encourage careful transformation of moral reasoning in and out of a competition setting, the person’s character will be stronger and more resilient compared with a less considerate social environment.
References
Bredemeier, B. L., & Shields, D. L. (2009). Moral reasoning in the context of sport. Web.
Jugl, I., Bender, D., & Lösel, F. (2021). Do sports programs prevent crime and reduce reoffending? A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of sports programs. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 1-52. Web.