Religion in physical education with a focus on Muslim and Christanity

Josette Alomia
Jimmy Margiolas
Diversity Article reviews
Kine 515
Summer 2013

             Religion in physical education with a focus on Muslim and Christianity
   
 With the increase in immigration over the past few decades, teachers now have a class full of diverse students, that previous generations of teachers have not seen or experience. The influx of students that come from parents who are immigrants now fill  the classrooms.  And with the students comes religion and cultural customs that teachers might not be familiar with, while at the same time respect them. This is especially true in physical education.

Muslim Views: boys vs. girls
    A religion that most teachers will face that have many different customs then what they might be used to is the Muslim religion, specifically to the Hijab. A Hijab is a head covering for young to adult females. This is especially true in regards to girls. In an article; (Multiple Voices: Improving Participation of Muslim Girls in Physical Education and School Sport Education and Society, v16 n2 p223-239 Mar 2011) a study focused on why Muslim girls of all ages were being pulled from physical education class. The reasons parents gave were inflexibility clothing requirement, again with a focus on the Hijab, uncomfortable with the swim class requirement and overall not valuing physical education. Other concerns were gender organization within the classes. The custom for them is that girls must dress and represent themselves in a certain ways at all times.  This can be a tricky situation especially during PE. Where you must move, dress out, and in some schools swim. The article stated that most of the issues that arise can be overcome by communication between the school, particularly physical education staff and parents. Flexibility of approach, shared decision-making and situation-specific policies were most successful for supporting the inclusion of Muslim girls in physical education and school sport. It just goes to show you that simple communication can solve many issues and can make the experience a lot more pleasant for everyone involved.
    The issue for boys can be very different. In Samaya Farooq and Andrew Parker article Sport, Physical Education, and Islam: Muslim Independent Schooling and the Social Construction of Masculinities, Sociology of Sport Journal, 2009, 26, 277-295. “Motivation for involvement in PE and sport was fueled by their understanding that participation in such activities was 
honorable in terms of their broader religious beliefs.” Meaning that for boys that participating in sports and activities is very important to them and their religion and that they are expected to participate at a high level.  

A different view: Christianity

But the importance of being involved in sports and being physically active is not only isolated to students of Islam and Muslim Religions. In a study (Institutionalized Sport as Quasi-Religion: Preliminary Consideration) Journal of Sport & Social Issues. Fall/Winter79, Vol. 3 Issue 2, p17-27. 11p. the article mentioned that some view sport as a religion, the symbols and traditions involved, and hold beliefs related to sports. Sport and religion study shows considerable support for the general contention that sport is at least quasi-religious in nature. The study focused on how evangelical Christians were particularly involved with religion and sport, especially regarding football.”M. Kenneth Brody1
 This shows that many religions value sports and physical activity.
    After reading and reviewing the articles we both agreed that religion is something we have to deal with one way or another in our respected classroom in the future. It is important that we are aware of it, so at the same time we can be respectful to our student’s families and customs. We may not agree with it or understand it but we must respect it. As stated earlier a lot of misconceptions or misunderstandings can be eliminated if teacher would communicate with the parents. And this is something we both plan on doing.
 
Bibliography

·    Islam, Hijab and Young Shia MuslimCanadian Women’s Discursive Constructions of Physical Activity Nisara Jiwani, Sociology of Sport Journal, 2010, 27, 251-267

·    Multiple Voices: Improving Participation of Muslim Girls in Physical Education and School Sport S Dagkas, T Benn, H Jawad  Education and Society, v16 n2 p223-239 Mar 2011

·    Against Lesbian, Gay  ,and Bisexual Coaches: The Influence of Race, Religious Fundamentalism, Modern Sexism, and Contact with Sexual Minorities George B. Cunningham Texas A&M University Herek’s , 2007, 2009

·    Institutionalized Sport as Quasi-Religion: Preliminary Consideration Journal of Sport & Social Issues. Fall/Winter79, Vol. 3 Issue 2, p17-27.M. Kenneth Brody1


·    Sport, Religious Belief, and Religious Diversity). , Randolph Feezell, Journal of the Philosophy of Sport. May2013, Vol. 40 Issue 1, p135-162.

·    Sport, Physical Education, and Islam: Muslim Independent Schooling and the Social Construction of Masculinities, Samaya Farooq and Andrew Parker; Sociology of Sport Journal, 2009, 26, 277-295

·    Exploring teaching practices in physical education with culturally diverse classes: a cross-cultural study. Symeon Dagkas, European Journal of Teacher Education Vol. 30, No. 4, November 2007, pp. 431–443

·    A Culturally Appropriate School Wellness Initiative: Results of a 2-Year Pilot Intervention in 2 Jewish Schools,  Maureen R. Benjamins  & Steven; Journal of School Health August 2010, Vol. 80,No. 8 Pg. 378-386

·    Diversity in Public Education: Acknowledging Immigrant Parent Knowledge, Yan Guo, Canadian Journal of Education 35, 2 (2012): 120-140

·    Ethnicity and Conflict in Physical Education Carroll, Bob, Hollinshead, Graeme, British Educational Research Journal, 01411926, Feb93, Vol. 19, Issue 1