So what is the Sociology of Sport? (Sociology of Sports)

Member Name: BizzyB

Product:	Sociology of Sports
Date:	05/09/01 (1903 review reads)
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Advantages: Helps you see sport from a different viewpoint, Learn about the development of a wide range of sports

Disadvantages: None

Welcome to a whistle stop tour of the discipline that is the sociology of sport. I will try not to get long winded but it might be worth having a cuppa and biscuits to hand!

People are well aware of the new breed of sports science. It is obvious to see the use of the physical sciences when investigating sports such as physiology and specialist sports medicine. In recent times we have also come to accept the importance of psychology in sports performances. However, the sociology of sport is a little known corner of research into sport having come to prominence in the 1960s.

I completed my Masters Degree in the Sociology of Sport last year after over two years of study with the University of Leicester. Before embarking on the course I had never heard of sociology of sport and had never formally studied sociology. The course was spotted by mother who read the details and passed them on to me. "This sounds so up your street" she said and so I sent off for the details never believing they would accept me on the course. In truth the only reason I filled in the application form was because I was waiting for Mum to come out of an operation and form filling is great mind occupier, though I desperately wanted them to say yes as the mere outline of the course whetted my appetite for more. Well the man from Leicester, he say yes and the rest, as they say, is history.

I'll discuss some aspects of the course in greater detail later for anyone who may be interested but for now the burning question is what is the sociology of sport?

The sociology of sport is a sub-discipline of sociology that looks at the relationship between sport and society. Sport is a part of life, it has been created, shaped and sustained by members of societies. Sport is not separate from 'real life' it is part of it. Look at the attention, time and money we devote to sport and the myriad of activities it covers. Sport does not simply
mean competing but we can participate in sport as players, spectators, officials, business. In one way you can think of sport as a reflection of society but it is more than that in the fact sport and society interact.

Maybe one of the easiest ways to understand the sociology of sport is to consider the relationships that are often researched and the questions posed.

Why is sport so important? Why has sport changed and how is this change related to changes in society? Why do people enjoy sports? What are people's experiences of sport?

Sport and Politics:
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Let's consider two aspects of the relationship between sport and politics.

Firstly, sport is both directly and indirectly affected by the laws and rules set by governments. Sports have a degree of self-rule as demonstrated by their own rule codes but they must stay within the confines of civil law. One example of this and the reason sport is so interesting to consider is when these boundaries become blurred. Consider the civil laws against physical abuse, yet then consider contact sports where injury can be caused. On the whole sport is seen as exempt given the sports own rules and the acceptance of risk on behalf of the competitors yet lately we have seen a number of civil cases brought against competitors should their actions be seen to transgress the sporting code and violate civil law.

Governments realise the importance of sport as we have seen by the formation of a Minster for Sport. This demonstrates the governments belief that it has a role to fill in the governing and encouragement of sports initiatives especially in the areas of education and health. Governments may also make legislation to address areas seen as problematic and one example of this Title IX implemented in the USA to ensure equal opportunities for women.

Secondly, sport can be used as a political tool. Sport has a high level of infl
uence and can generate feelings of national and international pride. Politicians have been quick to seize this and actively link themselves with sports. On an international level this is well demonstrated by the Cold War era and the sporting rivalry of the USA and USSR when sport was used as a publicity tool of each countries predominant ideology on a world wide stage. Sporting encounters went beyond sport and where seen to represent each countries 'greater power' in a rivalry which was as much 'capitalism vs. communism' as sporting. Sport is an intense tool to demonstrate political stances such as the sporting boycott of South Africa during the apartheid era.

Sport and Culture:
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Look around. Sport both represents and are influenced by culture. The increase in the popularity of sportswear and lifestyle is an example. Sport is a way that people can communicate with others the perception of their own identity and the groups they belong too. Many sports are seen to represent certain social classes and cultures. Sport can be used to create and maintain a cultural identity by a medium that can cross cultural boundaries.

Sport and the Economy:
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Well this won't come as a shock to you but the input and pout of money due to sport is significant at both local, national and international levels. For many, their work is either directly or indirectly linked to sport. Many aspects of sport are now run as a commercial enterprise, consider the increase in sponsorship and advertising deals - sports sells.

Sport and Religion:
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Many religious institutions have incorporated sports into their activities. In the 19th century there was a movement known as muscular Christianity which advocated the healthy and sporting body as a way of praising God and being a good, strong Christian, this movement was particularly popu
lar for parts of the missionary movement who used sport as a way of communicating with their new converts. Religious beliefs may also impact of people's sporting participation due to such aspects as dress codes and holy days. Consider Jonathan Edwards who has spoken of his own deliberations as to whether to compete on a Sunday or the number of Muslim sportswomen who have moved countries as their religion forbade the wearing of revealing athletic sportswear.

There is also the other aspect that sport for many can be a quasi-religious experience. We often here people talk of sport as the new religion providing people with the sense of community and belonging once afforded to the thriving church. Think how people refer to sports people as sporting Gods, or to the football pitch as the sacred turf.


And so these are just a few examples of the type of areas sociologists research and hope to understand. Their research is guided by the use of sociological theories.

COME BACK!!! There's no need to run to the door screaming for mercy, I'm not going to bore you with reams of theory talk, I'm not that cruel.

Suffice to say, sociology is divided into a number of different theories, many of which work together, that try to explain the development of society and peoples behaviour. Just consider some of the more well known theories.

Marxism, we've all heard of that one right? Well a Marxist viewpoint may concentrate on the economic and class structures of sport and set out to show how sports keep people in their places and the exploitative aspects of sport. Marxists may put forward proposals that they see make sport more equal to all. I was going to call this opinion On your Marx?but thought it may scare you all off!

Feminism, a feminist theory may concentrate on the experience of women in sport, must notably the unequal opportunities for women in some aspects. Consider women's unpaid supp
ort of sport - what I hear you cry? Well for a long time women's unpaid work such as cleaning and prepare sports clothing for families, preparing food etc has been the support that has meant others could play sport. I used feminism myself when I studied Safety in Formula One Motor Racing From 1950 - in which I concentrated on how safety was perceived by society and represented by the media. I used feminism as it helped me show how the perception of racing drivers is linked to the perception of masculinity and what it is to be masculine - notably bravery, strength, determination and heterosexuality. Think about - how do you upset a tough sportsman? You call him a cissy who drives like a girl. See?

I put together my own website about my studies and there's more theory details on their should anyone be a glutton for punishment! Otherwise I'll leave the theory at that and hope you get the picture.

Now I shouldn't wonder that there's a few of you thinking 'well that's all well and good but isn't this just a bunch of work shy academics who daren't get their hands dirty?'

Well I know it sounds as if there's lot of high faluting language and paper shuffling but the sociology of sport has many practical uses. People who study the discipline are all aiming to be career sociologists and those who do have a vital role to play in researching sport which helps those at the coalface implement new initatives and tackle problems. For instance, my tutors at Leicester are well respected researchers into football hooliganism. There research has been used by the government, FA and other bodies to try and understand the phenomenon better and help them make choices on how to approach the problem. I found my tutors work fascinating as it approached the subject away from the speculation and sensationalism that we are usually privy to and it helped my understanding of the situation. My own studies into m
otor sports have not so much changed my view of the sport but enhanced it and I have been pleased that many people who have read my writings on motorsport have been interested at the different slant that sociology has encouraged me to take. This is why the study of sociology of sport is a great benefit to sports journalists and writers as it helps hone your investigative instincts and delve deeper into the situation.

The study of sport is also an interesting addition to those who work either directly or indirectly with sport at many levels, whether a school educator or on the national/international board of a sports organization. I have read many testaments of former pupils of Leicester who have gone on to work in their sports and found the methods and theories they have learnt have helped them no end.

As I said in the opening I studied at MSc level at Leicester which offer both a University based and distance learning option for the Masters level. However, the discipline of sociology of sport is now included in many sports science courses at undergraduate level which covers the disciplines of psychology, physiology, sports/leisure management etc.

I did not think I'd be accepted having never studied sociology before but was on the strength of my other qualifications and experience. It did mean I had to work twice as hard and fast in the beginning to equate myself with sociology as a whole discipline and I managed this as I enjoyed it. I think I was a frustrated sociologist all along! In the end I passed with a distinction which is testament to the support of the Leicester team. The course was made up of five assessed essays and a 20,000 word thesis. What I particularly liked about the course was it could be tailored to your own interests and many students used their own work as a basis for their essays/thesis. The Centre for Research into Sports and Society at Leicester's website can be found at www.le.ac.uk/crss which exp
lains more fully their workings and achievements.

Obviously the majority of people will not be considering this specialist subject as a study option but I believe many people will be interested in the basic grounding. This is why I would like to see the sociology of sport as a chapter of sociology study at secondary education and undergraduate level. I would also like to see it taught at more evening schools and adult education centres as I think it would interest many people as it opens up the sporting experience. I believe for many for whom sport is an interest it is a comfortable subject to ease anyone back into education.

If you would like to read up on the sociology of sport, one of the easiest to follow books is Jay J Coakley - 'Sport in Society: Issues and Controversies' (Mosby 1990) which I would recommend to younger readers (say GCSE students upwards) and those with a more general interest in the subject.

For a more theoretical approach the two books I recommend you read are:

Norbert Elias and Eric Dunning - 'Quest for Excitement' (Blackwell 1993 ) and
Elias Cashmore - 'Making Sense of Sport' (Routledge 1990).

I have yet to find a website that I feel is accessible to all on the subject, the few I have found have been very stuffy and theoretical, well apart from my own of course!!

I hope that helps people understand a little about this subject, which I find fascinating. Sport is an integral part of life and every day as I read your opinions on sport here at dooyoo as category guide I am reminded of its importance in people's lives.

Thanks for bearing with and I hope you all continue to enjoy your sport - whichever one takes your fancy!

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