Purpose Statement and Anotated Bib

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Running head: Theoretical Framework

Theory

Jalen Dunn

Dr. Vance

HED 6504

September 8, 2022

Mississippi College

The faith development theory can be used to analyze the topic of paying student-athletes. Sharon Dolaz Parks developed the theory in 1986. Parks argued that people progress through forms of knowing, dependence, and community. The forms of knowing include probing commitment, tested commitment, authority-bound, unqualified relativism, and conventional commitment. Young adults move between probing and tested commitment. During probing commitment, people are still exploring life obligations while during tested commitment, the commitment to a specific option is presented (Simons et al., 2019). Forms of dependence show how people rely on others during their early life stages while the form of community shows how norms such as peers and social class shape an individual’s journey. 

The faith development theory should serve as a theoretical framework for the issue of paying student-athletes because it addresses the commitment of students to various areas. Most student-athletes are in the process of exploring their obligations. They are in probing commitment while others are in tested commitment. Athletic departments should be allowed to pay student-athletes to motivate them and also help them to reach the tested commitment and convictional commitment. If students are paid, they will become professional athletes (Streib, 2021). Therefore, they will have moved to the tested commitment. Most of the student-athletes come from low-income families. They might not be able to become professional athletes if they are not paid. Paying the athletes can help them to identify where they should invest their lives. Student-athletes can realize that they should invest their lives in sports if athletic departments pay them.  Comment by Reid Vance: This isn’t categorically true.

The theory should also serve as a theoretical framework because it addresses the challenges facing emerging adults. Emerging adults face the challenge of identifying the job that fits them the best. Faith development theory can help student-athletes to analyze their deeply held values, worthy ideas, and personal commitments. If athletic departments pay student-athletes, they will influence their beliefs and attitudes (Simons et al., 2019). Student-athletes can develop strong beliefs about the value of sports. Student-athletes often take physical risks when they play sports. The fact that they already play sports means they believe various sports could be their future careers. 

The faith development theory can help students to develop their self-identity. It can help students to reflect and question their values. College coaches earn a lot of money by coaching student-athletes. Student-athletes should be paid if their coaches are paid. Paying student-athletes can help them to develop self-identities. They can also develop specific values if the athletic department pays them. Student-athletes can understand the role of sports activities if they are paid (Parker, 2020). They can learn the values of professional athletes if they are paid. For example, student-athletes can learn about work ethic and discipline. This can help them to become professional athletes easily.  Comment by Reid Vance: This is your opinion. Only make such a claim in a research paper if you can back it up with data.

Having a good athletic department helps overall school achievement. The faith development model explains how students develop commitments to specific careers. Considering the faith development model, having a good athletic department can help mentor students. The athletic department can promote school unity. It can allow students to be connected to their higher education endeavors. The overall school achievement can be boosted by the athletic department because it can mentor students to succeed in their careers and life. Students who participate in various sports can get important life lessons to apply in their communities and professions. They can learn skills such as verbal management, interaction in diverse groups, and sportsmanship. Student-athletes can become successful in life if schools have good athletic departments. The athletic departments help student-athletes as they ensure that they gain valuable skills and choose their careers wisely.

I think using this theory—which I’m very familiar with—is a bit of a stretch for your topic. But if you think it’s useul, I’m OK with it. See a couple of notes in the text above. Grade: 90/100.

References

Parker, S. (2020). Research in Fowler's faith development theory: A review article. Review of Religious Research, 233-252.

Simons, H. D., Van Rheenen, D., & Covington, M. V. (2019). Academic motivation and the student-athlete. Journal of College Student Development, 40, 151-162.

Streib, H. (2021). Faith Development Research at Twenty Years.