Page 533 - Sociology and You

Section 2
Chapter 15 Sport 503 Theoretical Perspectives
and Sport
Culture and Sport
Sport is a major social activity through which culture is created and re- inforced. As noted earlier, sociologists recognize this important aspect of sport.
American sport embodies American values—striving for excellence, winning, individual and team competition, and materialism. Parents want their children to participate in sport because participation teaches them the basic values of American society and builds character (Eitzen, 1999:3).
Although sociologists agree that sport mirrors society, and that the relationship is complex, they disagree over the social implications of sport. Sport sociolo- gist Stanley Eitzen has written a book on the paradoxes, or contradictions, of sport in America. (See Figure 15.1 on page 504.) Functionalists, who tend to concentrate on the benefits of sport, are represented in Eitzen’s book. So are conflict theorists, who see a social downside to sport. Symbolic interactionists focus on personal meanings derived from sport.
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Functionalists see sport positively, as a means for socializing young people,
promoting social integration, providing a release for ten- sions, and developing sound character. Conflict theorists believe that organized sports can be harmful to character development. Symbolic in- teractionists focus on the self-concepts and relation- ships developed through sport activities.
Sport has long been an important basis for stratification in high schools.