SPORT AND THE BODY SHL4302: Sociology of Sport

Introduction  ‘Common sense’ that sport is about the ‘science’ of bodies:  Which are faster, stronger, most flexible.  But, this ignores any attempts to make a ‘statement’ about our bodies.  Today, we explore this ‘body culture’.

Some questions  Stepping away from sport:  What motivated you to dress the way you did today?  Why is your hair the way it is?  Why is your body the way it is?  Are you trying to make statements?  If so, to whom?

The Sociology of the Body  Giddens (2001: 144):  ‘our bodies are deeply affected by our social experiences, as well as the norms and values of the groups to which we belong.’

The Body and Social Class  Bourdieu (1984) ‘Habitus’ The norms associated to the way of life of a particular group  Working class Bodies are a ‘resource’ for earning money Strong, physical and powerful.  Middle class ‘Healthier,’ more balanced. Judge themselves less on power and strength.

Social Class and the Body  For Bourdieu, this is represented by the sports typically played by these classes:  Working class: Rugby League, football, boxing  Middle class Cricket, golf and tennis. In these sports, participants are required to become ‘competent social actors’ (Jarvie, 2006: 222).

Sport, Gender and the Body  Women’s sporting bodies have traditionally been judged differently to those of males  Child bearing/reproductive capacity as socially desirable.  Training, dedication and achievement ‘unnatural’ or ‘dysfunctional’.  Often, not wishing to have children and being dedicated to physical training can lead to questions of a woman’s sexuality  But for men, being ‘physical’ is linked to fertility!  For further feminist theory, see Hargreaves (1994).

Example  British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) (1998):  ‘women shouldn’t be licensed to box professionally because pre- menstrual tension makes them unstable’.  Also, fears regarding fertility, breasts and water- retention.

Boxing (again!)  Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) (2012):  ‘women should wear skirts or longer shorts…as it’s often difficult to work out whether it is a man or a woman boxing’  Why does it matter?

Sport and Healthy Bodies  Question:  What does a healthy body look like?

Thin?

Muscular?

Sporty?

A little bit of Marxism (reminder)  Marxists believe that:  The state is made up of two classes The bourgeoisie (middle class/rulers) The proletariat (working class)  The proletariat will eventually aim to overthrow the bourgeoisie and take power for themselves  The bourgeoisie use cultural forms (like sport) to suppress the proletariat.

Sociology and Health  What constitutes a desirable body image is determined by society  But, are we free to choose this?  Capitalist interests.

Body image and suppression  Initially, governments/the bourgeoisie used to find convenience in people being unhealthy  Stopped them wanting to/being able to overthrow them.  But now, capitalists realise that promoting healthy bodies also exerts control over the working classes

Why/How?  How can worrying about body image be good for society?  Pre-occupation with body image prevents free will  Also, allows the rich to get richer.

Why do you look the way you do today?  To fit in?  To appear attractive?  To not draw attention to yourself?  To show off?  What questions go through your head when you buy something new to wear/get ready in the morning/go to the gym?

Benefitting from good health  Who benefits from you being healthy?  You – increased life (what about smokers in their 90s?)  Government (reduced costs for NHS)  Companies - a healthy lifestyle is often an expensive lifestyle.

Concluding Comments  Science remains the ‘common sense’ way in which we measure our bodies  This, though, is incomplete without a sociological explanation.  The way in which we use our bodies (or wish to present them) if often defined by our class or gender.

References/Further Reading  Bourdieu, P. (1984) Distinction. London: Routledge.  Craig, P. and Beedie, P (2012) Sport Sociology. 2 nd Edit. Exeter: Learning Matters.  Giddens, A. (2001) Sociology. 4 th Edit. Cambridge: Polity Press.  Hargreaves, JA (1994) Sporting Females. London: Routledge.  Jarvie, G. (2006) Sport, Culture and Society. London: Routledge.

Seminar Question  Work in pairs to draw up an answer to the following:  How might sociology help to explain sports men and women’s body image?  Draw up a plan for this answer, but also highlight areas which you do not feel strong on. How would you rectify this?