Chapter 15 Sports Presented by: Jarrett Hurms

The Nature of Sports  Sport-set of competitive activities in which winners and losers are determined by physical performance with a set of established rules.  Leisure activities, exercise, and spectator events.  Important aspect of recreation but not all recreation is a sport.

Example of a Sport Sport  Basketball  Football  Baseball  Hockey  Golf  Wrestling Not a Sport  Video games  Spontaneous game of basketball  Running alone  Tag

Sports as a Social Institution  Institutions fulfill certain basic needs and reflect the most important aspects of society.  Five common recognized social institutions:  Family  Education  Government  Religion  Economic Status

Sports as a Social Institution  Sports is an additional social institution.  Sports teaches us some of the basic values to society.  Promotes attachment to society

Sports, Culture, and Society  Sports play a central role in American society because it reflects the culture’s emphasis on achievement.  Viewpoint of sports in America:  “Winning is not everything. It is the only thing.”- Vince Lombardi  Sports reflect society, it’s not surprising males dominate the sports world.  Equality progress is being made in sports.  Women are slowly growing more equal to men in athletics.

Sports Subcultures  Sports subculture-a group with distinct roles, values, norms, and beliefs that is organized around a sport activity.  Failing to take risks leads to lost opportunities.

Theoretical Perspectives & Sports  Culture & Sports  Sports is a major social activity through which culture is created.  Sports mirrors society.

Theoretical Perspectives & Sports (Cont.…)  American Sports  American Sports embodies American values.  Striving for excellence  Winning  Team competition  Materialism  Parents want their children to participate in sports because sports teaches them basic values and builds character.

Sport Paradoxes Sports can unite different social classes & racial groups But can heighten barriers that separate groups. Social Integration Sports promotes fair play by teaching the importance of following the rules. But sports emphasis on winning tempts people to cheat Fair Play Sports promotes muscle strength, weight control, endurance, & coordination. But sports can lead to the use of steroids & other drugs, excessive weight loss/gain, & injuries. Physical Fitness Sports contributes to higher education through scholarships & fund raising. But sports also takes away from academics & emphasizes athletic performance over learning & graduation. Academics Sports also allows athletes who might otherwise not attend college to obtain an education. But only a few can achieve the promise of fame & wealth in the professional ranks. Social Mobility

Functionalism & Sports  Sees sports positively.  Means for socializing young people.  Promotes social integration.  Racial and social classes.  Releases tensions.  Develops sound character.

Functionalism & Sports (cont.….)  Sports teaches basic beliefs, norms, and values.  Sports prepares young people for adulthood.  Games prepare athletes for work in organizations.  Young people become more achievement motivated.  Essential to productivity

Functionalism & Sports (cont..)  Sports promotes a sense of social identification.  Sports offers a safe release of aggression.  Sports encourages the development of character.

Conflict Theory & Sports  Organized sports can be harmful to character development.  Sports is seen as a way for the wealthy and powerful to manipulate and dominate the less fortunate.  Division among social classes still exist.  Argue that degree of sportsmanship declines the older one gets.

Symbolic Interactionists & Sports  Focus on personal meaning, relationships, self-identity process.  Concerned with the symbols of sports.  Misinterpretation of symbols or meanings.

Sports & Social Mobility  Star athletes often point to sports as their way out of poverty (upward mobility).

Does Sports Really Promote Social Mobility?  College athletes tend to be better educated, make more money, and have higher occupational prestige than their fathers-social mobility.

Does Sports Provide Upward Mobility for Minorities  Some argue that concentrating on sports so much diverts attention away from school related activities.  Youth who spend their time honing their athletic skills at the cost of their academics will be more likely to be a casualty of an unrealistic dream of wealth and glory.

Sports & Racism  Stacking-players are assigned to less central positions on the basis of race or ethnicity.

What other Areas of Discrimination have been Found?  Minorities profit much less for advertisements than white counterparts.  Also after careers are over minority athletes have less opportunity to have sports related careers.  1989-Bill White became the first African American to head a major professional organization.

Sexism in Sports  Women and men can both experience sexism in sports.  Sexism in athletic events dates back as far as the early Greeks (Olympics).

What are Some of the Consequences of Sexism in Sports?  Stereotyping females-what are some of these?  Sexism has denied women equal rights in sports in many ways.  Title 9-If a male sport is created their must be equal opportunity for females in athletics.

Why has the Percentage of Women Coaching Women’s Programs Declined?  Women are declined equal access to the power to structure of sports.  Men find these jobs more attractive because of the increase of interest of women’s sports.