1. chapter 13
Social Class and Sport

2. Chapter Outline Social Classes Social Class and Sport Activity
Control of Sport
Class Mobility in Sport
Summary

3. Economic Class Divisions
Social class The categories of people who share similar positions in society based on their economic level, education, occupation, and social interaction.
Social stratification The assignment of class based on inequalities in society such as power, prestige, and wealth.

4. Individual opportunities in life are affected by class status.
Key Point
Individual opportunities in life are affected by class status.

5. Developing Capital
Economic capital The financial resources that one has or controls. These resources affect how we see the world and opportunities available to us.
Social capital Resources available to a person based on memberships, relationships, and both social and business networks. Social capital is affected by family and friends.
Cultural capital The skills and abilities we have based on our education and life experiences.

6. Capital affects the sports we watch, play, and succeed in.
Key Point
Capital affects the sports we watch, play, and succeed in.

7. How does social class affect sport involvement, sport opportunities, and leadership or decision-making opportunities in sport?

8. Social Class Social class status affects sport opportunities.
Upper class
Wealthy (with disposable income)
Exclusive memberships, used to build social capital
Can afford exceptional coaching and sport experiences
Have the highest rates of sport participation
Play exclusive sports such as golf, tennis, polo
More likely to use health and fitness equipment
(continued)

9. Social Class (continued)
Upper-middle class
Professionals such as lawyers, managers, physicians
Many sport experiences and opportunities such as gymnastics, swimming, and archery
Middle class
Make careful decisions about expenses
Many sport opportunities in community
Lower class
Low annual income ($18,810 U.S.)
Play team sports available and subsidized in the community
Play strength, speed, and daring sports such as boxing wrestling, racing

10. Access and Barriers to Sport
Cost of high-performance training
Requires economic, social, and cultural capital
Top coaching and training can run as high as $75,000 U.S. each year in some individual sports
Must pay for coaching, facilities, physical training, travel, equipment
Team sports
Often run and subsidized by community
Allows most kids to play
Coaching is much more affordable
(continued)

11. Access and Barriers to Sport (continued)
High school sports
Affluent schools win more championships
Afford better facilities, equipment, and coaches
Participants start sports earlier and receive more training
Affluent schools win more female championships than male championships
Community leagues
Serve more children at a modest expense
Provide training even in traditionally upper-class sports

12. Who Controls Sport?
Local communities: Power is in the hands of administrators and boards of directors (parents, politicians).
National level: Power is in the hands of the people who control the money for the organization.
Often from upper class or upper-middle class
Media moguls (Rupert Murdoch), league commissioners, and superstar athletes
Often White males

13. Key Point
People with power in sport have the ability to promote or prevent change in the game.

14. Social Mobility Through Sport
Educational opportunities
Need to stay academically eligible to play
Possibility for athletic scholarships (sport helps build social and cultural capital)
College athletes may have more opportunities than nonathletes
Leaders in business often attribute success to lessons learned through sport
Is class mobility through sport possible?
Unrealistic expectation
Only 0.2% of high school athletes play professionally
Best opportunity is to advance is through education

15. Summary Opportunities in life are affected by social class.
Social class affects the sports that we play.
Money allows access to elite competition in many sports.
Power in sport lies with those who have the ability to make changes. Often these people are White males.
Sport can provide some opportunities for social mobility, but it also provides some false hope.

16. On Deck… Questions and comments Assignments and readings
Next chapter: Special Populations and Sport
People with disabilities
Aging adults