Sociology of Sport Essay - 1085 Words

What is the social role of sport? To what extent does social structure influence the practice and experience of sport? Discuss in relation to two of the following: gender, class, ethnicity or Aboriginality, or region. Illustrate your answer with at least three examples from sporting contexts (local or international). Sport plays a huge role in today’s society. It contributes to one’s health and fitness, social interaction, social and motor skills, patriotism, fun and entertainment. It also stimulates the economy and tourism leading to interaction between different cultures, for example the Olympics, and sport role models. Sports clearly are an important part of cultures and societies around the world as such events as the Olympics†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Women who play men’s sport have constantly to negotiate their status in traditional cultural contexts of men’s power and privilege, and in a general discourse of femininity, patriarchy and compulsory heterosexuality† (Craig Beedie, 2008). An example of a female athlete being ridiculed for portraying society’s idea of non-femininity is Martina Navratilova. Martina was the first female tennis player who began to play tennis more as a power sport than a sport of technique. Subdued by an oppressive communist system that controlled the Czech Tennis Federation, she was seen to be playing in the style of men instead of playing womens tennis. As she did not fit into societys image of how a woman should look, behave and play tennis, she was ridiculed and branded as the proverbial ‘bad egg’ when compared to her contemporaries. Additionally, she was branded as a lesbian, which caused more hardship for her as she was forced to face a world which was much more homophobic at that time than it is now. Her sexual orientation is not a prime issue; it was something that was used against her and something that was assumed simply because she did not portray the feminine image that is expected of women. Another example includes Dutch Olympian Fanny Blankers-Koen, also known as ‘the flying housewife’, who wasShow MoreRelatedSociology of Sport1601 Words   |  7 Pagesclass of Sociology of Sport is offered in the school. Many who do recognize that the class is being offered in the school may also question the value and academic merit of such a course. What people don’t see is that the world of sports is closely linked to the social world. Social attitudes are reflected in the world of sports. These attitudes can be seen in different ways such as the social atmosphere affecting sports, the ways in which we define sports, exempting the world of sports from the worldRead MoreSport Management and Sociology of Sport1529 Words   |  7 PagesThe Relationship between Sport Management and the Sociology of Sport Brad Davis Southern New Hampshire University Abstract Across all levels of sports, perhaps the connection between sport and society is the most valuable and co-dependent element for sport managers to understand. Without the impact our society has on sport, athletes, owners, television networks and sponsors would not spend or generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. If sport managers fail to grasp and understandRead MoreSociology Of Sports And Society1081 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction 2 Sociology in Sport 2 Access and Equity 2 Access 2 Equity 2 Figueroa Framework 3 Access Equity in Australia 3 Figueroa Framework â€Å"Interpersonal† 3 â€Å"Interpersonal† Impact on decisions this paragraph should flow directly on from the previous paragraph 5 Barriers 5 â€Æ' Introduction Sociology in Sport Sociology of sports, also referred to as sports sociology, is the study of the relationship between sports and society. It examines how culture and values influence sports, how sports influencesRead MoreSport Sociology : Sports As A Part Of Cultural And Social Life1577 Words   |  7 PagesSociological Journal Article Literature Review Sport sociology examines sports as a part of cultural and social life, and adds a different dimension and perspective to the study of sport and exercise. More specifically, sport sociology examines the relationship between sports and society and seeks answers to many issues and questions regarding sport and culture. Sociology of sport poses critical and controversial issues; additionally, sports are considered a microcosm of society, the same socialRead MoreSports And Society : Annual Review Of Sociology880 Words   |  4 PagesIn the Journal â€Å"Sport and Society: Annual Review of Sociology† written by Robert E. Washington and David Karen they talk about gender and sports in one section of their Journal. In this section the author addresses masculinity in sports and the attempts of Title IX to try and make sports equal in the sense that if women make up 40% of the athlete population they should receive 40% of the resources. However, this is not the case â€Å"The most rec ent data (Suggs 2000) reveal that in 1998–1999 women madeRead MoreEssay on John J. Coakley on the Sociology of Sport1056 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferent around other friends? Sociology is the study of these and other social behaviors and how people interact with others in groups. The sociology of sport is seen as a subdivision of sociology where the main focus is on the relationship between society and sport. There are many ways to analyze the sociology of sport. One way is to look behind what society sees as real to see if things are really as they seem. Another way to analyze the sociology of sport is to objectively look at otherRead MoreThe New Stadium: Fantasy Sport’s Effects on Sports Sociology Essay1238 Words   |  5 Pages Fantasy sports has evolved from its humble roots as the niche Dungeons Dragons-esque intersection of sports fandom and statistical nerdiness. According to Fantasy Sports Trade Association market research conducted by Ipsos, there are ov er 36.6 million people playing fantasy sports in the United States and Canada and is a rapidly growing industry that generates over a billion dollars per year. The once maligned cult hobby has grown into an undeniable sports subculture, commanding regular coverageRead MoreHockey Violence Essay1706 Words   |  7 Pagesin our Blood and Blood on our Ice Ice in our Blood and Blood on our Ice I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out. Rodney Dangerfield. Ever since the start to the game of hockey, violence has always played a role in the sport. While that role both contributing positive and negative aspects to the game, violence has taken its toll on not only the players but the fans as well. As violence in hockey is as many fans say part of the game and what makes â€Å"hockey† hockey, the negativeRead MoreM382 Exam 1study Guide Essays1036 Words   |  5 PagesExam I Study Guide 1. Definition and focus of sport sociology. a. Sociology: interaction between groups and their inherent cultures b. Sport sociology: relationship between sport and society by examining its inherent institutions (race, genders†¦) i. â€Å"Sport is a microcosm of society. It mirrors our culture† (drugs, women, scandal) 2. Definition of the following terms: c. Socialization: The process of interacting with other people and learning social customsRead MoreGender Inequality For Women s Sports982 Words   |  4 PagesRunning head: INEQUALITIES FOR WOMEN IN SPORTS Inequalities for Women in Sports T’Keyah Thomas Georgia Southern University Sociology 1101 October 18, 2015 Sociology 1101: Reasearch Proposal Inequalities for Women in Sports Introduction: As an adolescent, I was very interested in sports. In fact, sports were all around me. I was usually the tallest of my friends, therefore I was faced with more opportunities concerning sports. The main sports I played were basketball and softball