ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the social development of youth sport participants from three perspectives. From a historical perspective, a brief account of the youth sports movement in America is given to provide a context within which to consider sport as a socialization agent. The cathartic function of sports is to help young people learn to reduce tension and conflict in a socially acceptable manner. Juvenile delinquency and stress management are two social developmental issues that are often associated with the cathartic function of youth sports. Sport psychologists and practitioners have identified the competitive stress placed on young people as a major issue in youth sports. The belonging function of sports is to help young people develop a sense of personal worth and social acceptance. Researchers have addressed the belonging function of youth sports by studying the perceived athletic competence of participants.
