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Sport in Society: Issues & Controversies

Sport in Society: Issues & Controversies. Chapter 3 A Look at the Past: Does It Help Us Understand Sports Today?. History Lessons: Origins of Distorted Views. Who tells the stories about sports in the past? Whose perspectives are used to frame the stories?

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Sport in Society: Issues & Controversies

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  1. Sport in Society:Issues & Controversies Chapter 3 A Look at the Past: Does It Help Us Understand Sports Today?

  2. History Lessons: Origins of Distorted Views • Who tells the stories about sports in the past? • Whose perspectives are used to frame the stories? • How is power related to recorded history? • Why are histories usually incomplete?

  3. General Historical Issues • Evidence suggests that physical activities and games have existed in nearly all cultures • There are decreasing contrasts between the games that different people play today • Decreasing contrasts are due to cultural diffusion and the power and influence of sponsoring corporations

  4. Historical & Cultural Variations Variations exist because • Sports are cultural practices that can serve a variety of social purposes • People create sports within the constraints of the social worlds in which they live

  5. Ancient Greece Sports were • Grounded in mythology • Linked with religious beliefs • Characterized by • Gender exclusion • Frequent violence • Absence of administrative structures • Absence of measurements & record keeping

  6. Roman Contests and Games • Emphasized spectacle, combat, and the power of political leaders • Characterized by • Diversions for the masses • Exclusion of women as athletes • Absence of quantification and record keeping

  7. Medieval Europe • Folk games played by peasants • Tournaments played by elite for purposes of military readiness • Gender restrictions grounded in religious dogma and beliefs • Games lacked specialization and organization

  8. Renaissance, Reformation, & Enlightenment • Increasing control over peasants • Lives of many were restricted by labor • Calvinist and Puritan beliefs did not promote any forms of leisure • Sports constituted diversions for people

  9. Industrial Revolution:Early Years • Organized, competitive sports emerged, especially among elite • Time and space for games were limited in urban areas • Slavery among Africans, and exploitation of other workers limited widespread involvement in sports

  10. Industrial Revolution:Later Years • Growing emphasis on rationality and organization in society & sports • Most sports were segregated by social class • Women’s participation in sports was very limited

  11. Elite, Competitive Sportsin the US:1880-1920 • Sports often were used by wealthy to reinforce status distinctions • The organization of sports favored the interests of those with power and wealth • Increased participation opportunities for workers, especially men

  12. Elite, Competitive Sports in the US: 1880-1920 (cont) • Sport participation comes to be linked with character development • Organized sports were tied close to ideas about • masculinity and femininity • race and ethnicity • age and disability

  13. 1920 to Today: Struggles Continue Around • Entertainment, professionalization, and commercialism • Masculinity and violence • Nationalism and chauvinism • Gender inequities and homophobia • Racism and racial discrimination • Class dynamics

  14. Immigration • New England Colonies • Settled by Puritans • Little Tolerance Toward Sport and Recreation • Puritan Ethic: work for practical ends • Harvard founded in 1636: sports established as early as 1820’s

  15. Immigration (cont) • Middle Colonies • Settled by Pennsylvania Dutch • Tolerant toward sport and games • A number of games were played in middle colonies: rounders, skittles, lawn bowling

  16. Immigration (cont.) • Southern Colonies • Business development • Enjoyment toward gambling: cock fighting, horse racing, boxing

  17. Native Population • Various sportive pursuits by North American Indians: Lacrosse

  18. Urbanization • Population Centers Provided Support for the development of Organized Sport • New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club in 1842 • Three years later Alexander Joy Cartwright played a leading role in organizing baseball

  19. Urbanization (cont.) • In the 1850s baseball expanded rapidly to include all classes of men • In 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings are formed as the first professional baseball team • In 1876 the National League was formed

  20. Technological Developments • Industrialization • Mass Media • Transportation

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