Socio-Cultural Interest and Motivational Barriers for Female Sports Participation in Pakistan: A Comparative Study of Universities and Colleges

Purpose: The core objective of this study was to analyze the situation of Pakistani females' sports participation and examines which different Socio-Cultural, Interest and Motivational barriers currently play negative role towards their sports participation and how these barriers can be reduced by taking up the steps under the feministic approach in sports which is based on the social cognitive theory of Bandura. Methodology/Evidence Acquisition: In order to get deep insight, the researcher employed mix-method research methodology which was based on both qualitative and quantitative research design. Qualitative data of 8-HODs and quantitative data of 592-female students from the 8 selected public colleges and universities in Southern Punjab-Pakistan was collected through close-ended and open ended questionnaires with convenient sampling technique. For quantitative data analysis, SPSS v.20 and for qualitative data analysis MS Excel v.10 were used as statistical tools. Conclusionsː Regarding socio-cultural factors (Family Support, Religious & Cultural Limitations), findings of this study show that the relationships of family support, interest and motivation with their sports participation is significant and positive but the religious & cultural limitations has insignificant and negative impact on female sports participation. Although these socio-cultural factors are not much supportive in the colleges as compare to the universities, but overall, their parents’ negative attitude, expectations for academic performance and unawareness regarding sports benefits, females feel uncomfortable, less passion and interest in sports participation. Further, it was also found, in both universities and colleges, that Islamic dress code, male permission, no proper changing rooms, cultural conflicts, mix-gender sports, vulgarity, less freedom of solely movement, discouragement by society/culture are the major dimensions of religious and cultural limitations towards sports participation. Along with new dimensions and locality, the current study was a first attempt to provide the practitioners, policy makers and researchers to understand the issues of cultural and religious, interest and motivation and family support towards female sports participation in Pakistan.