Social influences on sport participation

AS and A Level Physical Education (Sport & Coaching)

Jed Mc Mullan IVA Task 6

Social influences on sport participation

It is clear that sport is strongly influenced by social factors and by human cultural responses. There is a recurring tension between tradition and the cry for modern intervention, this is apparent in football, where some want the technology that is used in rugby, in which a television screen is used in doubtful situations such as try’s that weren’t fully seen by the referee, this would eradicate time wasting in controversial football decisions, that cause players to fire up at referee’s. The development of sport has moved with various waves of social change

Cultural

In the UK we’ve witnessed the move to urbanisation from an agricultural way of life, i.e. from working on farms as a farmer or farm hand to working in factories, then we moved to a technologically based society in the twentieth century and a communications and electronic society in the twenty-first. With this we have seen major changes in the way we provide and participate in sport. We have new physical and social settings, such as golfing complexes, multi sports clubs, high-tech stadiums, indoor cricket arenas and even virtual reality dimensions for practicing before we play.

Many local, regional and national cultural attitudes and values are reflected in the development of sport. With specific sports in selected areas i.e. adventure sports in the Lake District and water sports on the Solent, which is a part of the channel between the Isle of Wight and the main land of England.

Patterns of employment have changed with more flexible working styles. Making more leisure time available enabling people to visit the gym even in lunch breaks. Also in employment we have achieved relative prosperity or wealth through better wages. Consumption goes hand in hand with this newfound prosperity with leisure shopping and materialism becoming major factors of life in the twenty-first century.

‘Some commentators argue that a consumer revolution has taken place in sport, with the ‘commodification’ of many aspects of sporting life, as people use their leisure money to buy sporting activities or watch experts perform.’

The above quote was taken from:

Btec National Sport Sports Development and Fitness Options Ray Barker and Graham Saffery.

Gender Issues

A high percentage of the sports scene has been shaped by male domination. Women have been excluded by sport and although they have come a long way with barriers gradually being broken down, there is still a lot to do before equality is achieved. Progress has been made in sports such as rugby, football, athletics, tennis, golf and cricket, where historically women had little or no part in sport participation. It is an on going battle ...

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The above quote was taken from:

Btec National Sport Sports Development and Fitness Options Ray Barker and Graham Saffery.

Gender Issues

‘Some commentators argue that a women’s looks, rather than her skill or performance, may still be a major factor in her popularity and success with the media’

The above quote was taken from:

Btec National Sport Sports Development and Fitness Options Ray Barker and Graham Saffery.

This is true of some women athletes such as Anna Kournikova who we all know as the ‘Tennis player’.

Ground breaking female athletes who over come this kind of attitude like Paula Radcliffe are taking major steps in the right direction for women in sport.

Reasons for participation and non-participation

Time:

Many people decide not to participate in sport because of work commitments. It is common to hear the phrase ‘ I haven’t got time’. However, some people chose to spend what leisure time they have in a passive rather than an active way.

Resources:

Depending on where you live there may or may not be sports facilities or clubs nearby. This has an obvious effect on whether you participate in sport or not. One way of increasing participation would be a transport service readily available for those who wish to visit a sports facility.

Fitness/Ability:

Some people do not join sports clubs because they think they are not good enough. This perception may well have arisen from previous experiences e.g. failing in an activity in school, feeling humiliated and therefore feeling that they are hopeless case. This could damage their confidence. To get rid of this feeling of hopelessness, it is important that individuals experience success in some aspect of sport so that they regain their confidence.

Health Problems:

There are genuine health reasons for some people not to participate in sports, although many doctors will encourage an active lifestyle. Most rehabilitation regimes include physical exercise and what better way to exercise than playing sport. The amount of obesity in the western world has increased due to our diet and lack of exercise. Embarrassment is a powerful emotion that prevents people from taking part in sport. For such people to become involved in sport they need to be encouraged and have the right environment provided. Joining clubs such as weight watchers prior to taking part in sport could be beneficial to help build up confidence. They would then feel good enough about themselves to take part in a sport.

Access:

The growth of sports facilities has increased access but, although more low-cost courses are available, some people still cannot afford to participate in sport.

Issues related to access are:

Opening times- e.g. may not be convenient for shift workers.
Age- e.g. sport is often perceived as young people’s activity and elderly people may feel undignified if they participate I sport.
Race- e.g. racial discrimination may reduce a person’s confidence in getting involved in a sport community.
Class- different level of classes where certain other people who aren’t of that class cant take part, e.g. polo seen as a posh persons sport.
Disability- lack of suitable facilities such as wheelchair access, ramps or wide enough doors for disabled people to take part in sport.

To encourage more people to participate in sport the government, schools, sports clubs and local authorities have produced a number of initiatives.

Schools: The growth of specialist colleges is designed to increase participation, but the government and physical education teachers are working hard at making sport as accessible as possible. The use of sports awards and rewards are all seen to try and increase the participation levels in sport.

“Sport is getting youngsters away from crime and helping fight drug abuse”

(Verdicts from reports commissioned by Sport England, 2002)

Barriers to Participation

When looking at barriers to participation you have to take into consideration the three different types of class:

WORKING CLASS.

MIDDLE CLASS.

UPPER CLASS.

Working Class

Family Poverty: No money to allow people of this class to take part in sport.

Female Labour: The women don’t get paid as much money as the males do this again preventing them from taking part in sport.

Family Size: Could prevent participation because, there is only a low income coming into the house with quite a big family. This would prove too costly if everyone took part.

Earn the right to leisure: They did not have the time to take part in sport, this is because they would be working so wouldn’t have much time for much else. This was until the five and a half day week was introduced. This then gave them a free leisure day.

Excluded from taking part in sport: This is because the land in which they would use to take part in sport was owned by the upper class.

Middle Class

Salary: This would differ to the rights and way in which the working class where treated, they would be paid a set salary, and would get their pay monthly, this would allow them to no where and what they would need their money for and how much could go towards taking part in sport.

Control over Time: They would be working in a steady job, e.g. 9-5, they would be working a set shift which they would stick to, and this would give them leisure time in the night and at weekends.

Exclusive Rules: This would mean they could stop certain people from attending their sports clubs.

Upper Class

This is the type of class you would won’t to be associated with, this type of class could quite easily take part I sport.

Money: This type of class could quite easily have the money to allow them participation in sport.

Leisure: This is one of the main differences because compared to the other types of classes; the upper class had leisure as a right.

Class is not the only barrier to participation.

Here are some of the other reasons.

Cultural Barriers: Can result from direct conflict with a range of cultural factors such as codes of behaviour

Social Barriers: May relate to the image of the sport among one’s peer group, such as not being ‘cool’ or having a low perceived status. They may also stem from a lack of motivation, lack of consultations over sessions or programmes can create further barriers.

Economic Barriers: Can stem from lack of funds too spend on sport, high prices and poor value for money, competing financial priorities.

Educational Barriers: Can arise from a poor relationship with a PE teacher, or a poor teacher, limited facilities or choice at school, or lack of knowledge about sports or the opportunities to participate in them.

Physical Barriers: Include problems to do with a person’s size, weight, agility, dexterity, awareness and vision.

Gender Barriers: Are usually strongly associated with inequality and discrimination. A number of sources of inequality have been identified as causing barriers for women such as, responsibilities for child care, shortage of free time, lack of personal transport and money, low self esteem and confidence.

Opportunity Barriers: Differ from person to person and include availability of time, facilities, courses, coaches, transport and colleagues to play with. Some barriers arise from conflicting demands on time.

Health and fitness barriers: Include attitudes as well as physical issues. There may be an assumption that some sports have a high incidence of injury. That playing sport can be humiliating.

Disability: Can be a barrier, and the integration of disabled participants is ongoing challenge for sport. Recent legislation has forced organisations to look at physical barriers and build or rebuild suitable access. Barriers are mainly physical ones but others include lack of opportunity, and lack of suitable or qualified coaches, adaptation of equipment, lack of money, lack of transport, and the disadvantaged may have less time or energy for sport.

All target groups experience barriers to participation. The target groups are: