Research project There is a lack of scientific knowledge regarding parents’ perceptions and actions in relation to emotional abuse of their children in sports. This study focuses on parents' perspectives on how a culture of silence surrounding such abuse is created and maintained.
The purpose of this study is to examine parents' experiences of emotional abuse directed at their children, as well as how parents act and communicate with sports clubs when dissatisfied—and how they are received. The study also aims to understand how parents are socialized into, and contribute to, the construction of a culture of silence within sports.
Swedish Research Council for Sport Science
Umeå School of Sport Sciences, Umeå University
To better understand why sports organizations often fail to provide a safe environment that ensures children's right to protection from abuse, it is necessary to increase our knowledge of how parents experience and manage situations in which their children are exposed to behavior that generates negative emotions. What communication channels do sports clubs offer to enable children and parents to express their opinions and experiences?
The purpose of this study is to examine parents' experiences of emotional abuse directed at their children, as well as how parents act and communicate with sports clubs when dissatisfied—and how they are received. The study also aims to understand how parents are socialized into, and contribute to, the construction of a culture of silence within sports.
Preliminary data indicate that some parents describe a culture in which expressing dissatisfaction is seen as disruptive rather than constructive, and where clear communication channels are lacking. One parent explains: "There is a culture of silence in this club. It's a culture where too much dialogue is unwelcome, where you are almost punished for asking questions."
The body of scientific literature on children's rights and their exposure to abuse is growing, but remains limited, particularly when it comes to parents' perspectives. Studies involving parents show that when they question coaches' methods, coaches tend to justify their actions (Kerr & Stirling, 2012). Findings also indicate that, in some cases, coaches may retaliate against children after their parents have expressed concern or dissatisfaction. The notion of the coach as an untouchable authority figure reinforces their position of power in the relationship between athlete, coach, and parent. Sports organizations may also play a role in silencing abuse against children, thereby contributing to the maintenance of a culture of silence (Parent & Demers, 2011).
The overarching aim of this study is to examine issues related to emotional abuse and to analyze the factors that contribute to a culture of silence surrounding such problems. More specifically, the study aims to investigate parents’ experiences of emotional abuse directed at their children, how they act and communicate with sports clubs when expressing dissatisfaction, and how they are received, in order to understand parental socialization and the construction of a culture of silence within sport.
The study is theoretically grounded in the theory of parental socialization developed by Kerr and Stirling (2012), which is based on interviews with parents of athletes who have been subjected to emotional abuse by their coaches. In this theory, parents’ reactions and actions in response to emotional abuse are categorized into five stages of socialization. The study also draws on modern childhood sociology, where Mayall (2015) argues that childhood sociology and research on children's rights are closely connected and should be integrated (UNCRC, 1989).
This is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 17 parents of children aged 12–18 who are active in ten different sports within the Swedish sports movement (7 fathers and 10 mothers). The parents come from towns in central (7) and northern Sweden (10).
The study contributes new knowledge about how cultures of silence are created and sustained in relation to the negative experiences of children and parents in sport. It also explores the possibilities and challenges involved in communicating with representatives of sports clubs. Furthermore, the study provides new insights into how the culture of silence hinders effective communication between parents, children, and club representatives, thereby limiting the sense of safety for children involved in sports.
