The Role of Sociology in Sports - Essay Example

The Role Of Sociology in Sport The Relationship between Athletics, Hispanics, and Aggression: Athletic insight. Conflicting Theory in Sports Social order is a consequence of some factions i.e. the powerful and rich exercising their power so as to uphold their advantage which from time to time is achieved through force butt at times through control of schools, media and other major institutions. Conflict is widespread and relationships with intrinsic disparity in terms of economic interests within a society are ever on change. Sports, just like other characteristics of a society, are shaped or determined through the economic system’s structure in the society. Sports form a central part in people’s lives, it’s linked to major social institutions and it influences culture. According to Hagger and Chatzisarantis, “violence in sports context, is connected to underlying social political and economic grievances held by the working class elements of the crowd. Therefore sports context in which fans share these common resentments serve as a hotbed for the expression of aggression directed at the perceived perpetrators of the inequities (210).” Hagger and Chatzisarantis quoting Levin and Vinten-Johansen 1981, asserts that “sports is an ideal conduit for the expression of dissent through aggression because elements of modern professional sports are perceived as economically exploitative of the ‘average’ working-class fan.” Perceive social and economic injustices can therefore used to explain the collective aggression. Conflicting theory in sports suggests that aggression is the manifestation of injustice and grievances experienced by the particular working-class constituents in the sports crowds plus the effort to show deviance, restore the balance and dissent. Conflicting theory in sports involves applying the principles of conflict theory to explain deviance in sports and structural causes by paying attention to the structural circumstances of commodification and massification. Conflict theory in sports takes a keen look at “Who makes it” by keenly observing inequality. Whilst numerous persons strive for success in athletic career, boys and/or girls might be under excessive pressure to excel so as to move from poverty in the ghetto. Athletes are no socially valued yet they make a lot of money owing to commercialism that encompass sports today. University and corporate interests exploit athletes making them ‘commodities’ and probably alienating the sport they were participating in. sports is a lucrative business and college players get exploited by their universities or colleges which award them with scholarships and retains the bigger share from their talents. As such players get used whilst little is invested in their education. Thus conflict theory in sport makes it clear that inequality in sports can’t be curtailed unless changes initially occur to lessen our commercial culture and lower wide income inequalities (Messner, 71-88). The article includes a literature review on aggression as a subject and the function of athletics amongst the Hispanic residents. It notes that the concept of ‘machismo’ implying aggressiveness has been associated with Hispanic males and means that there is high probability amongst Hispanics as compared to athletes from some other ethnic grouping. The article makes it clear the fact that aggression is unsurpassedely predicted by social-economic status (SES) as opposed to ethnicity. A family environment which is supportive has been established to offer a protective aspect against aggression. Athletics is seen to provide this kind of environment plus the fact that it allows for a suitable expression venue for the aggressive behavior. The field of athletics has in the last twenty years drawn a sizeable quantity of attention. Currently sports are well thought-out as superlative equalizer because significant attention is accorded to the ability of athlete’s with lesser attention being given to their specific ethnic origin. Despite the overwhelming odds which work against the participation of the Hispanic population, they have won acceptance into specialized sports associations in modern American society. It is fundamental for athlete’s to be aggressive in the field for them to be successful their ethnic origin notwithstanding. Humara quoting Harris (1996) notes that the machismo concept in the past was associated with the Hispanic males which suggested a higher probability of aggression amongst Hispanic athletes as compared to other groups. This article does not recognize this perception but instead analyses a literature review on the issue of aggression with regard to Hispanic population, development of aggression plus its relation with athletics. Hispanics and Aggression The machismo concept refers to the aggression amongst Hispanic males. Humara quoting Harris (1995) stated that Caucasians are not as aggressive as Hispanic males. Different studies however arrived at the conclusion that there is no difference in terms of aggression amongst varying ethnic groups and this warranted a more close research. It has been found that aggressiveness is a key foundation of interaction amongst siblings apart from ethnic heritage. This makes aggression an important part of our communication and socialization styles beginning early in our lives. Social-economic status (SES), in this case poverty is noted as an imperative contributor to an aggressive behavior amongst the children’s. This means that someone who comes from an economic disadvantage is more likely to act more aggressively. Kids in deprived urban communities get exposed to more community hostility and this communicates hostile behavior is acceptable; this past exposure is related to the present levels of violence. However, not everyone from poor background is aggressive owing to some limiting factors that are protective from violent behavior. Many athletes hail from poor backgrounds hence they have experiences similar types of hostility and hence they are more likely to demonstrate aggressive behavior. Sports involve aggressive behavior as demonstrated in the field and Hispanic athletes do so though in an acceptable form in their professional careers. The article attaches little validity to the notion that Hispanics are more aggressive the Caucasians. There is minimal ethnic variance in violent behavior. SES is the superlative predictor of violent behavior. Since many of current athletes hail from poor backgrounds they would act aggressively off and on the field. Supportive families hinder aggressive behavior. Low SES Individuals and Athletics Sports might play a defensive role against violence in the lives of poor individuals common with Hispanics. Family support shields several individuals from violent behavior but amongst the poor families support might be missing in totality in which case athletics might be providing the affected individuals with the support that is missing in the family. Hispanic families are close knit and a crucial base of socialization in which cultural behaviors and values are learned. Since a number of individuals hail from broken homes, sports turned out to be similar to their family. Ethnic minorities such as Hispanics show high affinity to athletic careers despite the impending odds against a victorious professional sports occupation. Athletics plays numerous roles amongst lives of poor Hispanic individuals. First it provides kids with a well structured environment that allows that serves as a defensive factor to the violent behavior inherent in the community. Athletics provides a venue for the expression of violence and is taken as suitable and rewarding and draws much attention from peers and families. Athletics is seen as an option for achieving financial success; a consequent that makes individuals look for better environment which is an unsuitable expression of violence. Conclusion Athletics is an aggressive behavior in nature which is commonly rewarded. Connecting ethnicity and aggression doesn’t hold up. The most excellent predictor of violent behavior is low social-economic status. Supportive family environment is a protective factor of aggressive behavior. Many of the athletes come from such environments which provide a venue for them to express their aggressive behavior. References Hagger, M. & Chatzisarantis, N. ‘Social psychology of exercise and sport’ Open University Press: Buckingham, 2005 Humara, M. ‘The Relationship Between Athletics, Hispanics, and Aggression: The Athletic Insight.’ The online Journal of Sport psychology. Retrieved May 12, 2005 From Messner, M. (1989). Masculinities and athletic careers. Gender and Society, 3, 71 - 88. Read More