From Idealism to Actualization: The Academic Performance of Female Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Semistructured interviews are used to examine the attitudes and subjective feelings of female collegiate athletes concerning their roles as student-athletes. The women begin college with an idealistic view of education; this view is strengthened over time. The athletic subculture the women are a part of, as well as their classroom and academic experiences, may to some degree influence or reinforce their educational optimism. The results of the current study are compared to those of Adler and Adler (1985), who studied male athletes. The experiences in question are discussed and possible explanations for the gender related similarities/differences are explored.