This study assessed the frequency of good and poor sport behaviors as perceived by young athletes, parents, and coaches. A secondary goal was to examine related sportspersonship attitudes. A total of 803 young athletes in the fifth through eighth grades, representing 10 different sports, completed a behavioral and attitudinal survey, as did 189 of their parents and 61 of their coaches. The sample was drawn from three regions of the United States. Specific behavioral and attitudinal frequency data suggest that there are significant ethical problems occurring in many youth sport programs. Results are discussed in relation to the concepts of collective norms and moral atmosphere.
David Light Shields and Brenda Light Bredemeier University of Missouri
St. Louis Nicole M. LaVoi University of Minnesota
F. Clark Power University of Notre Dame
