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Cross-cultural comparison is one of the research paradigms for studying the influences of environment on human behavior. Utilizing a cross-cultural approach, the objective of this study was to examine the differences in participatory motivation in physical activities among Chinese (PRC), American born Chinese (ABC), and American children and adolescents (USA). These individuals aged from 12 to 16 years (total 424; 202 females and 222 males). A physical activity motivation questionnaire (Gill, Gross, & Huddleston, 1983) was the instrument used for data collection. Chi-Square technique was used to analyze the percentage of motives in three categories. The results suggest that the USA male and female participants take part in sports or physical activities primarily for competition and improving skills. However, for the PRC participants, social affiliation and wellness are the main participation reasons for both males and females. The ABC participants are more likely to participate because of travel, equipment use, and having fun through physical activities and sports than their PRC and USA counterparts. Furthermore, the inter-cultural differences (age- and gender-related) in sport motivation are greater than the infra-cultural differences. The results suggest that children and adolescents in different cultures may be subject to the socio-cultural influences, resulting in culture-associated differences in the motivation to participate in physical activities or sports. Understanding the cultural influence on youth 's participatory motives may facilitate organizing physical activities that offer children or adolescents expected sport experiences and movement learning outcomes in a multi-cultural society.
Exploring the relative influences of nature and nurture on human motor development is an important topic (Barrett & Bailey, 1988; Thomas & French, 1985). In terms of environmental influences, Yan and Thomas ( 1995) identified several culture-related characteristics (American and Chinese) in youth's physical activity patterns as well as cultural influences on gender differences in physical activity. Specifically, American children were more favorable to competitive sports while their Chinese counterparts were more likely to get involved in fitness related physical activities. In addition, parental influences on children's selection of physical activities were also recognized. Chinese parents expect their children to participate in health or fitness-related activities whereas American parents support or encourage children's participation in team or individual sports. Thus, social-cultural factors seem to affect children's patterns of physical activities.
However, questions remain...