Sociology of Sport Exam 3 WKU
Kanan
What is meritocracy and how is it related to the American Dream? - answer-A social
world in which rewards go to people who deserve them due to their abilities,
qualifications, and recognized achievements.
People with money and power use sports as a metaphor for life-- identifies winners
who have outperformed others in a natural process of individual competition and
achievement
According to The Sports News' list of the most powerful people in sports, what is the
make up of that list in terms of race, gender, and the kinds of positions they hold? -
answer-48 men, 2 women, 2 white women, 4 African Americans, 1 Latino
Position: Out of top 20, 7 CEO's, 4 team owners, and a hedge fund advisor.
White men hold nearly 100% of major power positions in elite sports
Women in which social class categories are the MOST limited in terms of their ability
to participate in sports and why are they limited? - answer-Middle and lower income
families. Can't pay for childcare, domestic help or sports participation fees. They
lack time, transportation, access to gyms/play fields, and sense of physical safety
According to the research by Mike Messner, why are boys from lower income
households MORE likely to make commitments to athletic careers at younger ages
than boys from higher income households? - answer-They use sports participation
to obtain "respect" in a society. They have more at stake because they lack the
material resources required to train, develop skills, and be noticed by people who
can serve as their advocates. They have fewer opportunities for moving up to
higher competition.
What kinds of career opportunities are available to women athletes and how do
these compare with male opportunities? - answer-Career opportunities are limited
for women compared to men. The number of professional female athletes is low,
few women make a lot of money. Pattern of gender underrepresentation exists in
nearly all job categories and nearly all sports organizations.
In what ways are playing high school and college organized sports positively related
to future occupational success and upward mobility? - answer-1. Increases
opportunities to complete academic degrees, develop job-related skills, and/or
extend ones knowledge about the world outside of sports.
2. Increases support from significant others for overall growth and development, not
just sport development
3. Provides opportunities to develop social networks that are connected with career
possibilities outside of sport and sports organizations.
4. Provides mental resources and the guidance needed to successfully create and
manage opportunities.
5. Expands experiences, identities, and abilities unrelated to sports
6. Minimizes risks of disabling injuries that restrict physical movement or require
expensive and/or chronic medical treatment.
, What are the two primary challenges facing retiring athletes? - answer-1. Reaffirm
or reconstruct identities in terms of activities, abilities, and relationships that are
not directly related to sports participation.
2. Nurture or renegotiate relationships with family and friends so that new identities
can be reestablished.
What were the reasons for which the racial ideology in which race was "a mark of a
person's humanity and moral worth" became popular in the U.S. in the 19th
century? - answer-1. The need for political expansion became important. White
citizens used racial ideology to justify killing, capturing, and confining "Indians" to
reservations.
2. After abolishing slavery, white southerners used the "accepted fact" of black
inferiority to justify hundreds of new laws that restricted the lives of "Negros" and
enforced racial segregation in all public settings (Jim Crow laws)
3. Scientists at prestigious universities, including Harvard, did research on race and
published influential books and articles claiming to "prove" the existence of race,
the "natural superiority" of blacks and other people of color.
How is the focus of racial ideology for black athletes different from that for white
athletes? - answer-Success of black athletes was meaningless because black
athletes were driven by simple animal instincts instead of the heroic and moral
character that accounted for the achievements of white citizens. Success of white
athletes is expected or a result of fortitude, intelligence, moral character, strategic
preparation, coach-ability, and good organization. People don't say white skin is a
sign of an advantage. Racial ideology focuses on social and cultural factors for white
athletes. Success. of black athletes is seen as an invasion or takeover-- "problem" in
need of an explanation.
How does racial ideology lead to a sense of athletic destiny? - answer-Young blacks
grow up thinking the black body is superior when it comes to physical abilities in
certain sports. Leads people to believe it is their biological and cultural destiny to
play certain sports and play them better than others. Over time, they feel it is their
destiny to excel in those sports. When the sense of destiny is strong, it creates
context where young black men work hard to develop their skills and frame their
achievements in terms of race as well as personal motivation.
How does racial ideology influence whites' decisions about which sports to play? -
answer-Might choose soccer or lacrosse. Football and basketball teams are majority
black players. Don't want to be labeled as "wanna be black"
What is the "cool pose" and according to Richard Majors, what are its purposes? -
answer-A set of language, mannerisms, gestures and movements that "exaggerate
or ritualize" masculinity. The purpose is to insulate them from an otherwise
overwhelming social reality.
According to sociologist Harry Edwards, what are certain sports more accessible to
racial and ethnic diversity? - answer-1. The people who control teams can maximize
success when they recruit and play the best players regardless of skin color or
ethnicity
