Abstract:

The aim of this study is to study the sports experiences of adolescent girls through the social gender approach in the framework of the socio-ecological model. In this quality research we designed in the context of critical and feminist paradigms, in 6 different provinces of Turkey, a total of 27 athletes (9-17 years old) were held deeply individual conversations. The content analysis found that girls’ sports experiences were influenced by individual, social, physical and political factors within the framework of the socio-ecological model. The factors that enable young girls to participate in sports and continue to play are classified as follows: Individual: motivation, self-confidence and entertainment; Social: family members participate in sports and support their daughters, physical education teachers, the feeling of fraternity associated with team members, and Physical: having sports opportunities in schools. However, on the basis of education and sports policies, girls have experienced tensions between the athlete and student identity. This study is believed to be an important source in the production of policies that support teenage girls’ participation in sports and continuation processes.

Keywords: