AUTHOR=Reynolds Jerry F. , Chaney Cassandra D. , Huffman Olivia 

TITLE=Perspective: Advancing spectator behavior research in youth sports through a closer examination of racial differences

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.933472

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2022.933472

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=Inappropriate spectator behaviors are a recognized challenge within both amateur and youth sport settings (Blom & Drane, 2008; Dangi & Witt, 2018; Fiore, 2003; HHS, 2019). These behaviors, which occur in public spaces in the presence of child athletes, are multidimensional and impact the experience of all participants in the youth sport settings (Aspen Institute, 2019; Block & Lesneskie, 2018; Trussell & Shaw, 2012).  Spectator misconduct reflects a failure of parents to self-regulate amidst disagreement with the coaching practices, officials, and poor performance from children (Wiersma & Fifer, 2008). Despite widespread recognition of problematic parent behaviors and an emphasis by the US Dept of Health and Human Services to improve parent behavior, limited empirical research is available to promote understanding of both contributors and the nature of these behaviors, more specifically, what parents are observing from others and the frequency of such behaviors. 
A path to enhance research in this area is a closer examination of intersectionality, especially race and its influence upon parent observations and their personal behaviors as youth sport spectators (Harwood & Knight, 2015; 2016; Knight, 2019). Conducted in Louisiana, this study found race as a contributing factor to differences in spectating behaviors of parents. The authors unpack the nuances of these findings through a lens of both critical race theory and implicit bias and provide a platform for future study, especially those involving states where laws and the role of police have been advanced to mitigate spectator behaviors in youth sport settings.