Exploring the factors that influence female students' decision to (not) enrol in elective physical education: A private school case study

Abstract

This article presents the results from a qualitative case study that examined the influencers upon a somewhat unique group of female students who opted out of elective physical education (PE). More specifically, this study focused upon female students attending an affluent private school, investigating why-when they transitioned from middle school to senior high school and PE became optional-they opted out of the class. Employing a research design that relied principally upon in-depth interviews, seven themes emerged from the students' stories: perspectives on policy and PE programming, co-ed problems; friends' influence, parental support for opting out, A+ academic achievement, free time and electives, and adequate physical activity accumulation outside of school. By considering these themes, particularly as they align with an Ecological Systems Theory (EST) social-ecological framework (Bronfenbrenner, 1977), it is possible to more fully comprehend contributing influencers to these students' decisions. Moreover, with this comprehension, we offer suggestions for future practice and inquiry.