Final answer:
Boys were taught to participate in sports and activities like running, jumping, throwing, and wrestling to build up strength and prepare for future military service.
Step-by-step explanation:
To build up strength, boys were taught sports that were necessary for war and physical conditioning. This included activities like running, jumping, throwing, and wrestling.
In ancient cultures like that of Sparta, boys underwent rigorous military training, which highly emphasized combat skills and physical endurance to prepare them for service in the army.
The soldiers were admired for their martial prowess, signifying the society's emphasis on militaristic capabilities. The Spartan education system was one of the most extreme, removing boys from their homes at a young age to live in barracks and train almost relentlessly.
In twentieth-century America, a change in societal views towards masculinity and martial abilities influenced the sports young men engaged in.
Boxing and bodybuilding were seen as manly pursuits that helped build the physical strength admired in the military contexts, and team sports like football offered structured, competitive environments that mimicked corporate hierarchies and emphasized time management, reflecting the society's values.
Overall, the specific sports that boys were taught varied over time and depended on cultural norms and objectives.
Athletic activities, including more modern sports like football, baseball, and basketball, have also been avenues to cultivate physical abilities in young boys, with some having the opportunity to progress to collegiate or professional levels.