The passage highlights the initial optimism about the role of sports in preventing delinquency. However, it underscores the lack of consistent findings in research linking sports participation to reduced deviance. This inconsistency is attributed to the limitations of early studies, which relied heavily on cross-sectional data that provided only short-term insights, making it difficult to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship over time as suggested by deterrence theory. Moreover, the relationship between sports and delinquency is complicated by class and cultural variables, as well as the selection of individuals for sports, which are often influenced by social class indicators.
The option that best summarizes the author's position is: Statistical and empirical weaknesses stand in the way of inferring any relationship between sports participation and deviance. This choice captures the essence of the passage, emphasizing the methodological limitations and challenges in drawing definitive conclusions from the research on this topic.