Sport has an uncanny ability to demolish prevailing barriers that exist between mankind such as race, language, and culture. Sport is the common denominator between seemingly different people, and there is always a shared community towards a particular sporting endeavour. However, sport is also infamous for the manifestation of violence and cheating.
Throughout history sport has constantly challenged the social norms that a nation imposes, such as materialistic inequalities and racism. A prevailing example of this is the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where a nation discovered a common denominator, which ultimately transcended the oppressiveness that was imposed on the non-white population. This factor was sport, and the desire to support their team to the finals against all odds. And the success of South Africa in the World Cup was arguably due to the indefatigable support of an unprecedented united nation. When Nelson Mandela walked out the tunnel onto the field to congratulate Francois Pienaar, a white Afrikaner, via a handshake, it symbolised a divided nation coming together.
In his book, Humphrey holds that sport creates a barrier between groups. Most people would agree with this assertion, as it is natural for avid supporters to have their own ‘cliques’. Without these cliques and barriers between supporters, no team would have an elite group of fans, as everyone would be supporting every team. However, these barriers could also lead to violence and aggression towards people on the other side of the ‘barrier’. Despite this, sport is able to eradicate these barriers.
In 2011, now retired footballer, Fabrice Muamba collapsed mid-game after suffering from cardiac arrest. Across Europe, teams showed their support for Muamba whilst he...
... middle of paper ...
...n which he was stripped of all titles after admitting to doping for much of his cycling career. Furthermore, violence is a commonality in many sports, particularly in football (soccer); on 2nd April 2014, Chelsea supporters caused havoc in Paris, prior to Chelsea’s Champions League match against PSG – they vandalised shops and cafes, made neo-Nazi gestures, as well as starting a brawl with the PSG supporters in which there were numerous injuries. Therefore, sport has the odd tendency to have a negative influence on the world, through cheating, racism and violence.
Sport – a simple five-letter word – can make the stoic Brit shed a tear; it evokes a passion inside mankind that nothing else can compare. It gently and excitedly controls our life and will always have a positive impact on society, despite the tendencies of sport to incite cheating and violence.
The presence of activity and sport is found within cultures and societies all over the world, and throughout history. Activity in the form of sport can often be the purest form of expression for a society or individual. The sporting world is often thought to be a microcosm of the actual world with the problems and issues of society still being ever present in the sporting community. Since sport can be used as an expression of self, it is no wonder that sport is often a reflection of the society that it occupies. One such society that was deeply impacted by the role of sport is that of Native American boarding school students in the 1800’s and 1900’s. These students lived tough lives but just like how it had helped other cultural societies, sport was able to provide these students with basic needs of autonomy and pride.
As Foer explored the world, he unraveled the mysteries of how a sport can unite people, whom wouldn’t otherwise be, over a common cause. His adventure began in the former Yugoslavian state of Serbia. There, he reconnoitered “hooliganism” and its impact on the general population of the former Yugoslavia and on the world of soccer. That impact was felt
Coakley, J. J., & Donnelly, P. (2007). Violence in Sports . Sports in society: issues & controversies (9th ed., pp. 198-199). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Sports are a popular pastime among all ages and types of people. People not only participate in them for fun, but also for money, physical fitness, rush of competition, and for many other personal reasons. Playing sports is especially common among young people in schools. Athletics are great and enjoyable for many reasons, but there can be a point where sports participation can go too far and become negative for children and adults. Sports specialization for young people is an increasing trend that results in sports having a negative impact on individuals and society.
Jarvie, G. (2012). Sport, Social Division and Social Inequality. Sport Science Review. 20 (1-2), 95–109.
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair. Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand.” Nelson Mandela. Sport contributes to community identity, serving as a focal point for engagement, pride, and achievement. The diversity of sports and sporting activities (including social sport and physical recreation) makes it an ideal medium to reach men and women from every age-group, culture, and socio-economic background. The broader benefits of sports go beyond the personal benefits derived from participation. Sport is a popular focal point
Research guided by conflict theory generally falls into the following categories: 1) studies of how athletes become alienated from their own bodies; 2) studies of how sports can be used to coerce and control people; 3) studies of sports and the development of commercialism in society; 4) studies of sports and various forms of nationalism and militarism; and 5) studies of sports and racism and sexism. (Coakley, 1998) In the book, Meggyesy provided examples of each of these categories which occurred during his footba...
Sports can help many at- risk youths. In order to participate in sports you need to be committed and willing to work hard. You also have to learn to respect others and accept that winning isn’t the only measure of success. Losing can build character as well. When youth participate in a sports they enjoy, they are less likely to engage in behaviors that are harmful or dangerous to themselves and others. It is for these reasons schools should strive to maintain athletic programs for their students.
Dealing with the issue of sport and ethnology, three major factors come to mind; prejudice, racism, and discrimination. These factors span across gender, ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural groups. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss how these factors have played a part in the evolution of sport in our society. The first issue tackled in this paper will be racism in sports, followed by prejudice and discrimination.
Eitzen, D. Stanley. (1999). "Sport Is Fair, Sport Is Foul." Fir and Foul: Beyond the Myths and Paradoxes of Sport.
With each passing civilization and the era it’s [its] people lived in, one can find a great deal about the times by examining an area that is not often thought of. That area is in regards to sports. The ancient Mayans had arenas, the Greeks helped initiate the Olympics, and the Romans had bloody matches between gladiators in the Colosseum. These sports and games often reveal to us what was occurring outside the playing field and arenas, into the political arenas and clashes between the classes. Examining the history of rugby throughout Europe, particularly in Great Britain, allows one the opportunity to see how the changes throughout society’s values, norms, and principles are mirrored by the evolution of the game of rugby from the mid-nineteenth century up to World War I.
The majority of viewers are never able to witness these events first hand, which is where television comes into play. Without television, the people who are able to view sporting events would be restricted by the size of the arena. However, television allows sporting events to be broadcasted to millions even billions of people allowing them to experience the events and feel more connected to the teams they so dedicatedly support. Without television, people would not have as much access to sports, and therefore the ability of sports to unite people and nations would not be nearly as successful. Sporting events are one of the biggest media spectacles in world culture. Douglas Kellner writes “media spectacles are those phenomena of media culture that embody contemporary society’s basic values, sever to initiate individuals into a way of life, and dramatize its controversies and straggles, as well as its modes of conflict resolution” (108). The movie Invictus depicts how Nelson Mandela used sports, in particular rugby, as a means...
Sport creates friendships between people who would not normally communicate. This is great against racism since when people support the same ideals, they have something in common. This encourages communication between people and friendships between different people. Joe Humphrey says that sport creates “barriers between groups” which I think is wrong since people start friendships with all religions due to sport unifying people when supporting the same team.
In conclusion, it is explicit that sports is a positive influence on athletes, spectators and the world as a whole as it teaches imperative life lessons as well as allows its participants to experience enjoyment, fulfilment and gratification. As mentioned previously sports enables its players to bring out the best in others and create unity amongst groups as team work is so essential. This highlights the views I have in conjunction with the views of Joe Humphrey.
Sports, a very popular past time today, have been around since ancient times. Greek Olympic Games featured events from chariot races, javelin throws, to wrestling. In addition, a game similar to soccer was played in China by the second century BC. In England, a violent rugby type game was even played to settle feuds between villages. With the development of the industrial revolution and the creation of the first public schools, sports decreased in violence and were played more recreationally and constructively. Basketball was invented to help the youth in New England spend their energy in the winter months. Since the early 1900’s sports have been a key experience in the United States (“History of Sports”). I have played sports for many years, and the experience has helped me grow significantly as an individual.