Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
Participation in physical activity is influenced by a person’s needs and if they are met or not. If they are not met this can restrict an individual’s participation in physical activity.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs was created by Abraham Maslow who was a psychologist that developed a theory concerning a hierarchy of human needs. It is broken up into 5 levels of basic needs. The five levels are physiological, safety, belonging, esteem and self- actualisation needs. Maslow’s theory is that an individual does not fulfil the second need until the needs of the first have been achieved, or the third until the second has been achieved and so on. It accurately describes many realities and individual experiences.
The two main levels that impact participation in dance are belonging and esteem. Belonging involves giving and receiving love and affection. However, other stereotypes and barriers also effect participation in physical activity. Esteem involves the respect and reassurance from self and others. Also essential is having a high level of self-respect, feeling valued as a person and having a good body image.
A survey was undertaken by the students in year 12 at Grace Lutheran College to see what they thought about these factors and their affect in participation in dance. 25% of males surveyed said that it is unacceptable for males to participate in dance and 20% of them saying that dance is a feminine sport.
Dance is portrayed as a feminine activity participate could result in males being stereotyped as ‘gay’. Hegemonic Masculinity relates to the structures and relationships in society that appear to be based on male dominance and female oppression. It demonstrates that men are seen to play sports that are rough and tough. Girls are portrayed participating in sports that are gentle and passionate, like dancing. When males grow up they tend to be involved in things like rugby and soccer compared to girls who are most likely to participate in dance. At a young age these stereotypes are formed and continue to have an impact on what sports each gender participates in. With this said it could makes males feel like they do not belong and are open to being ridiculed for participating in dance. This could be a major reason why males do not want to participate in dance.
Esteem plays a huge role in the participation in physical activity especially in a sport such as dance. If females and males do not have a good self-esteem, are not confident in themselves and their body, they are less likely to want to participate in dance. If others do not see them as the ‘typical’ person who would dance, they can feel like they aren’t valued as a person and are less likely to even want to attempt to participate. Both of these factors effect participation in dance and also affect the possibility of reaching the self-actualisation level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
When a person does not reach the self-actualisation stage they are unable to be and do what they were ‘born to do’ and will result in the person feeling on edge, tense and lacking something. But as people adjust to the movements and postures required in dance, if they participate, they will begin to get a better sense of their bodies. As they become more comfortable in their own skin their confidence and self-esteem will improve. Resulting in them being able to reach the self-actualization stage eventually
Esteem plays a huge role in the participation in physical activity especially in a sport such as dance. If females and males do not have a good self-esteem, are not confident in themselves and their body, they are less likely to want to participate in dance. If others do not see them as the ‘typical’ person who would dance, they can feel like they aren’t valued as a person and are less likely to even want to attempt to participate. Both of these factors effect participation in dance and also affect the possibility of reaching the self-actualisation level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
When a person does not reach the self-actualisation stage they are unable to be and do what they were ‘born to do’ and will result in the person feeling on edge, tense and lacking something. But as people adjust to the movements and postures required in dance, if they participate, they will begin to get a better sense of their bodies. As they become more comfortable in their own skin their confidence and self-esteem will improve. Resulting in them being able to reach the self-actualization stage eventually