The main problem of the master's thesis was to obtain information on the possibilities of coordinating a dual career from the perspective of the young athletes’ parents and to determine the influence of the parents on the course and the development of a dual career of young athletes. The objectives of the research were also to get to know the attitudes and experiences of young athletes' parents regarding the adaptation of education to athletes, and to find out the role of these parents in developing the dual career of their children.
The study involved eight parents athletes, whose children are active athletes and attend a high school or a faculty. Five mothers and three fathers were interviewed. The survey was conducted with a structured interview. After the interviews were conducted, we made a transcription, and then the contents of the answers were analysed using coding.
We have found out that the child's involvement in sports influences the choice of educational institution. However, according to parents, a professional career is more important than a sports career. Namely, parents highly value the importance of acquiring education during the period of engaging in competitive sports. Due to the obligation and absence from the lessons as a result of attending the sports activities, parents support the special adjustments offered by educational institutions for athletes. The role of parents of young athletes in developing the dual career of their children relates to six main categories. These are: control over school work, transportation to trainings and matches, monitoring of trainings and matches, moral support, financial support and lifestyle adjustment. Among the factors of parental involvement in sports activity is also the gender of the parent. In the case of five interviewees, there are differences in interaction, since fathers are more involved in the sporting activities of their children, and mothers take care of their child’s education. The role of a parent as a supporter in the dual career of his child athlete also brings some of the daily challenges that they must face. We would like to emphasize four main categories of challenges: logistics, financial costs, day-to-day adjustment to sports obligations and the incentive for a child athlete.
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