The importance of sports idols between the teenagers

In this paper we discuss if, how intensively and why pupils at secondary schools have a sport idol. We want to understand if there is a relationship between practiced sport and chosen idol, which is the logical paths of idol choice and, too, if idols are induced by mass media. The survey was conducted in 2005 and investigate 1699 students aged between 14 and 18 years, residents in the Veneto region (Italy). 69% of students has almost a sport idol; between them, 9% has more than one. More males than females have sport idols: 80% vs. 58% (OR=1.76 in a multivariate logistic regression model). The youngsters who state a sports idol are those who more frequently watch sport broadcasts (OR=5.8 “watch everyday” and OR=2.7 “watch once a week” vs “never”) and/or read sport newspapers (OR=2.7 “read everyday” and OR=2.0 “read once a week” vs “never). In a multivariate approach, sport practice is relevant (OR=1.26), but not so important as the media effect. The idols change with gender and age. Male in the low secondary schools choose almost exclusively soccer champions, belonging to the favourite soccer team. Instead, the idols of males aged 15 and over are reference model; the students choose the person, not the team. In fact, the most mentioned champion is not a football player, but Valentino Rossi, the motor-cycling world champion (mentioned by the 7% of students, 11.4% of males aged 15 and over). Female choose their idol following different dynamics with respect males: sports represented are not only football, but also dancing, swimming, athletics. Some feminine idols are mentioned. The influence of media is lower, but only in the youngsters. When they pass to the high secondary school, sport idols are often chosen by virtue of their attractive power.