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?How is power related to recorded history?

Why are histories usually incomplete?

General Historical Issues

Evidence suggests that physical activities and games have existed in nearly all culturesThere 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

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

Ancient Greece

Sports wereGrounded in mythologyLinked with religious beliefsCharacterized by Gender exclusion Frequent violence Absence of administrative structures Absence of measurements & record keeping

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

Medieval Europe

Folk games played by peasantsTournaments played by elite for purposes of military readinessGender restrictions grounded in religious dogma and beliefsGames lacked specialization and organization

Renaissance, Reformation, & Enlightenment

Increasing control over peasantsLives of many were restricted by laborCalvinist and Puritan beliefs did not promote any forms of leisureSports constituted diversions for people

Industrial Revolution:Early Years

Organized, competitive sports emerged, especially among eliteTime and space for games were limited in urban areasSlavery among Africans, and exploitation of other workers limited widespread involvement in sports

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

Elite, Competitive Sports in the US: 1880-1920

Sports often were used by wealthy to reinforce status distinctionsThe organization of sports favored the interests of those with power and wealthIncreased participation opportunities for workers, especially men

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

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

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

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

Immigration (cont.)

Southern Colonies Business development Enjoyment toward gambling: cock fighting,

horse racing, boxing

Native Population

Various sportive pursuits by North American Indians: Lacrosse

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

Urbanization (cont.)

In the 1850s baseball expanded rapidly to include all classes of menIn 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings are formed as the first professional baseball teamIn 1876 the National League was formed

Technological Developments

Industrialization

Mass Media

Transportation