ABSTRACT
One of the most important involves the stereotype threat, which occurs when members of a stigmatized group realizes others think negatively about their group identity, which, paradoxically, lowers their achievements. The author noted that athletes coming from warm, nurturing, and supportive families were less likely to have eating disorders, but, regardless of the family upbringing, female athletes were more likely to report body dissatisfaction and weight phobia than non-athletes. Girls must also contend with the notion that sports are inherently masculine. One similarity between Latino and Asian student athletes is the way they pick role models. In a study of 4,010 multiethnic teens, there was a tendency for African Americans and Whites to pick role models who matched their ethnicity. Although ethnic minorities face unique issues regarding student athletes and role models, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersexed individuals may face even more challenges.
