Examines the influence of significant others on continuing involvement in sport by 376 female Canadian secondary school students. Finds that the socializing influence of parents and peers accounted for 11 percent of the variance in intramural activity, 20 percent of the variance in interschool sport, and 10 percent of the variance in…

Argues that a male perspective, valuing individual achievement through aggressive competition, has dominated physical education. This agenda has marginalized other pedagogies and sports such as gymnastics and dance. Supports this interpretation with an analysis of policy documents, archival material, interviews, and journal articles. (MJP)