Abstract:
This study focuses on parents’ perception of their girls’ participation in different sports
in the Jaffna district. The study used a modified questionnaire to use a quantitative
inquiry method. The questionnaire consisted of thirty-five of three points Likert scale
questions. The study sample of 200 girls and their parents from the two national schools
of five zonal (Valikamam, Jaffna, Vadamarachchi, Thenmarachchi, and Delft) in the
Jaffna district was chosen by multi-stage sampling method. The collected data were
coded and analyzed using the SPSS software version 25. The assumption validation
was tested initially and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was conducted since
the data did not follow a normal distribution. The results showed that 80% of girls
have expressed a desire to participate in sports, but more than 75% of their parents
disagreed with their girls for participation. There were significant differences were found
between girls’ and parents’ perceptions about; participating in sports is disgraceful to
the culture (μG=0.52 & μP =1.41, P<0.01), cause serious injuries and that will lead to
future difficulties (μG=0.96 & μP =1.67, P<0.01), and participation in sports is a waste
of time and it is a barrier for their studies (μG=0.79 & μP =1.71, P<0.01). However,
girls and parents showed their desire to participate in sports for improving their fitness
(μG=1.83 & μP =1.31, P>0.05), achieve medals (μG=1.54 & μP =1.48, P>0.05), improve
self-esteem and confidence through sports (μG=1.89 & μP =1.77, P>0.05). The support
and encouragement of their parents were the barriers because of cultural perspectives,
for girls to participate in sports in the Jaffna district. Moreover, the study concluded
that the local government should develop positive advertising campaigns and seminars
for girls and parents to minimize misperceptions and to encourage girls’ engagement in
sports.
