Whānau
The emotional, practical and financial support that makes taking part possible at all.
- Supports
- Subs paid, rides to games, someone on the sideline every week.
- Limits
- Study or work comes first, so there is no time left for training.
Teaching resource · Physical Education
Level 1 · Year 11Socio-cultural influences on physical activity
Thirteen influences that shape whether, how and why people move. Each one can open a door or close it, and most do both at once.
Physical Education
New Zealand
Te Ao Kori Aotearoa
He Ao Kori, He Ao MātaurangaA world of movement,
a world of learning
The people around us
Whānau, peers and role models
Peers and friends
Belonging and acceptance often decide whether an activity feels enjoyable.
- Supports
- A group signs up together, and the mates are the reason they keep coming.
- Limits
- A sport gets labelled uncool, so someone quietly drops it.
Role models
People engage more readily when they can see a relatable example of success.
- Supports
- Watching an athlete you identify with makes the sport feel possible.
- Limits
- With nobody visible who looks like you, it never feels like yours.
Identity and belonging
Gender, culture and discrimination
Gender
Stereotypes about which activities suit males and females shape who feels welcome.
- Supports
- Growing coverage of women's sport pulls more girls into rugby and football.
- Limits
- A boy avoids dance because he expects to be judged for it.
Cultural values and beliefs
Culture shapes identity, traditions and priorities, and so shapes what movement means.
- Supports
- Waka ama strengthens cultural identity and connection to whakapapa.
- Limits
- Commitments at home, church or marae leave less time for organised sport.
Racism and discrimination
Experiences of discrimination affect confidence, enjoyment and feeling included.
- Supports
- A club that actively includes builds belonging for everyone in it.
- Limits
- Racist comments from opponents turn into reasons to miss competitions.
Access and opportunity
Money, place, school and community
Socioeconomic status
Money decides access to gear, facilities, coaching and transport.
- Supports
- Private coaching and good facilities are within reach.
- Limits
- Hockey stops because fees and gear are beyond the family budget.
Accessibility
An opportunity only counts if this particular person can actually reach it.
- Supports
- Adaptive equipment at the local gym means full participation.
- Limits
- No bus home after training, so training is out.
School culture
Schools supply the opportunities, facilities, coaching and expectations.
- Supports
- Lunchtime sport costs nothing and needs no organising.
- Limits
- A focus on elite teams leaves beginners nowhere to start.
Community
People are shaped by what is available and valued where they live.
- Supports
- A coastal town runs surf lifesaving, so that is what everyone grows up doing.
- Limits
- A rural area lacks the numbers, coaches or grounds for a sport.
Screens and stories
Social media, media and technology
Social media
A constant supply of trends, role models and comparison.
- Supports
- Creators share workouts and training ideas worth trying.
- Limits
- Idealised bodies make someone feel they do not measure up, so they stay out.
Media
Coverage decides which sports get attention, and whose achievements are seen.
- Supports
- Coverage of the Black Ferns brings more girls into rugby.
- Limits
- Sports with little coverage draw fewer players and fewer resources.
Technology
Tracking, coaching and connection in your pocket, competing with your time.
- Supports
- Seeing progress on a watch keeps the training going.
- Limits
- Screen time takes the hours that would have been active ones.
Which of these has shaped your participation the most?
Level 1 · Year 11 PENZ | Te Ao Kori Aotearoa · penz.org.nz