Sport and Juvenile Delinquency: a Theoretical Base

Abstract

This paper offers a critical re-examination of the prevalent notion of sport as a panacea for juvenile delinquency. By examining the structural and phenomenological set ting of delinquency, the authors suggest that since most conventional sports are institu tional replicas of mainstream society, they are of little value as alternative systems to the delinquent subculture. On the other hand less conventional sport forms falling under the broad rubric Outward Bound because they provide alternative coping strategies to prob lems of personal adjustment and identity, may be a more effective means of reaching and helping delinquent and predelinquent children.