Violence in youth sports: hazing, brawling and foul play

Br J Sports Med. 2010 Jan;44(1):32-7. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2009.068320. Epub 2009 Oct 25.

Abstract

By separating hazing, brawling, and foul play and failing to recognise that their connection to sport binds them together into a cohesive subset of sport injury and youth violence, past research has failed to show how sports-related violence is a broad example of interpersonal violence. The acceptance of violence within the sporting culture may, in part, explain why sports-related violence has not yet been widely recognised as a public health concern. This review shows that sports-related violence, including hazing, brawling and foul play, occurs among youth athletes of all ages and in a variety of different sports. The few studies to address this issue have all acknowledged the dangers of sports-related violence; however, no incident tracking method has been developed. Future research must provide accurate national estimates of the incidence of sports-related violence among youth, identify associated risk factors, evaluate preventive interventions and identify effective methods of distributing and implementing evidence-based interventions. Monitoring the magnitude and distribution of the burden of sports-related violence and building the scientific infrastructure necessary to support the development and widespread application of effective sports-related prevention interventions are essential first steps toward a reduction in the incidence of sports-related violence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Child
  • Competitive Behavior
  • Dangerous Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Sports / psychology
  • Sports / statistics & numerical data*
  • Violence / psychology
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data*