Sociology of Sports

Sociology of Sports

Sociology of Sports
There are many different ways to look at the sociology of sports. The major theoretical perspectives are functionalist, sociological, conflict, feminist, and interactionist. I have chosen to write about the conflict perspective of sports. Conflict Perspective of Sports Conflict Perspective The conflict perspective assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources, including housing, money, access to services, and political representation. (Schaefer, 2011) Theorists argue that the social order is based on coercion (forcing or intimidating) and exploitation (taking advantage for another’s gain). With sports, big money can be a major incentive, often the being placed above the health and safety of the athletes. Sports and Social groups have many similarities such as; the better you are the more recognized you are. While writing this paper, I have the television on “Who Do You Think You Are?” with Kelly Clarkson. She made the statement, “…..grew up playing sports, everyone remembers the Michael Jordan, but no one remembers the ones passing the ball…..un-noticed sacrifices made”. (Clarkson, 2013) In my opinion, the world of sports follows truths in society, survival of the fittest and the unfit idolizing the fit.

The study of Sociology of Sports The study of sociology of sports, is the study of the relationship between sports and society. It examines how culture and values influence sports, how sports influences culture and values, and the relationship between sports and media, politics, economics, religion, race, gender, youth, etc. It also looks at the relationship between sports and social inequality and social mobility. (Crossman, 2013) Sport has engaged the interests of sociologist for decades. There are many reasons for this. One is, the complexity of the sport system. Canada and the United States sports system could be called the most pluralistic sport system in the world. From little league to professional competitions are organized and consume a substantial amount of energy and time for organizations, players officials and fans. Sport impacts all of the major institutions of society: mass media, politics, religion, education, and the family. We use a number of phrases and analogies in everyday situations, such as: “playing hard ball”, “hit a home run”, “slam dunk”, “you dropped the ball”, and “you blind-sided me”, just to name a few. Sociologists have noted that sport teaches values that are important to Americans including hard work and success based on achievement and leadership. (Lewis, 2009)

I believe that so many people participate in one way or another, in sports is to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. A camaraderie, sports bring people of such diversity together when they are supporting a certain team in unity, where in everyday life their paths may never cross. As a business, to have your business’s name attached to a specific team, player, or driver puts it out there to the public raising attention to that business. When you look at the overall picture of sports, you see the similarities of human society. As a team, every member has a job that they have to do to “win”, as in the workforce of everyday life. From the owner of the team all the way down to the one in charge of washing the teams dirty uniforms, is as the President all the way down to the sewer workers. If someone is not doing their job, there is a breakdown in the structure and it can all come toppling down.
References
Clarkson, K. (2013, August 31). Who Do You Think You Are?
Crossman, A. (2013). Sociology of Sports. Retrieved from About.com: http://sociology.about.com/od/Disciplines/a/Sociology-Of-Sportd.htm
Last Name, F. M. (Year). Article Title. Journal Title, Pages From - To.
Last Name, F. M. (Year). Book Title. City Name: Publisher Name.
Lewis, J. M. (2009). Wadsworth Sociology Module: sociology of sports. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Conflict Perspective. In R. T. Schaefer, Sociology: a brief introduction (p. 14). New York: McGraw-Hill.

References: Clarkson, K. (2013, August 31). Who Do You Think You Are? Crossman, A. (2013). Sociology of Sports. Retrieved from About.com: http://sociology.about.com/od/Disciplines/a/Sociology-Of-Sportd.htm Last Name, F. M. (Year). Article Title. Journal Title, Pages From - To. Last Name, F. M. (Year). Book Title. City Name: Publisher Name. Lewis, J. M. (2009). Wadsworth Sociology Module: sociology of sports. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Conflict Perspective. In R. T. Schaefer, Sociology: a brief introduction (p. 14). New York: McGraw-Hill.