PED 217 - Social Aspects of Sport

Chapter 7

Sports and Social Stratification

Individuals in society differ biologically, psychologically, and social dimensions as age weight, IQ, race, religion, politics, personality, ethnicity, and gender. This is called social differentiation.

When these same individuals are arranged according to worth or importance, this is social stratification. It is the arrangement of social groups (race, age, gender) or societies in social classes that are unequal in power, privilege, and wealth. Many social attitudes and behaviors correlate to a social class (the tennis preppie).

Characteristics of sport stratification

1. Social-
   1. Functional theory- in societies with a complex division of labor, certain roles need to be performed (CEO or janitor). All social positions are not equally important to a society (a quarterback is more important than a lineman) and they are paid more and have more prestige. This theory believes that these positions require the greatest talent and training, and should be rewarded more.

Another aspect of this is that if someone is easily replaceable (gas station attendant) it determines how important they are.

2. Conflict theory- the theory that social stratification exists because of inequalities in power, prestige, and wealth. Norms, values and interests of the dominant group become imposed on all social groups (cultural hegemony). An example of this is the 1919 black sox scandal (we have video, the movie 8 men out).

Conflicts between union-like player associations and team owners have led to boycotts and strikes (baseball, football, hockey, and umpires).

Professional baseball banned blacks for 50 years until the 1940’s when Jackie Robinson signed with the Dodgers, and by 1953 blacks were hired in baseball. The prohibition of blacks in the 1890’s came from the result of a racist belief by the greater white society (professional baseball executives). The National Association of Baseball Players in 1867 called for banning clubs that had blacks on their teams, and the color barrier was born, simply because of the belief from the civil war that blacks were inferior.

2. Sport stratification is ancient

   The Olympic Games categorically denied the privileges of either taking part or spectating. Females formed their own games in honor of Zeus’s wife.

   During the Middle Ages, only the citizens of noble birth were free to engage in sport activities. In the 1800’s, sports were only performed by the upper class, and only the elite public schools had sports teams. The New York Athletic Club was composed of well to do professionals and businessmen.

3. Sport stratification exists everywhere

   School sports were designed to educate children of the private and exclusive. Sport stratification exists both between and within sports:

   Sports are classified as major (basketball, football) or minor (gymnastics, lacrosse).

   Within sports there are status distinctions:

   1. Boxing is based on weight classifications.
   2. The Heisman trophy is named after college football’s most outstanding player.
   3. Judo has levels of belts rewarded.
   4. The Olympics reward by gold, silver, and bronze.

   Athletes in Russia at the top of their sport are known as the Honored Master of Sport.

4. Social stratification is diverse

   College football is a great example of kids who are from all different backgrounds and education, who climb up the status elevator and become stars.

   Sports as a social mobility mechanism: there are 4 channels through which involvement in athletics can facilitate social climbing:

   1. There is a direct entry into professional sports with minimal formal education (usually we are talking about boxers)
   2. Participation in sports during school may foster better grades, increase the probability of graduation, and lead to the granting of a degree from an institution of higher learning.
   3. Sport participation may lead to occupational sponsorship. Boxers are supported by wealthy people, and summer jobs are provided to college athletes. Major corporations have provided facilities, time, and money for athletes to train for the Olympics.
   4. Sport involvement may nurture attitudes and behaviors conducive to success in other occupations (ex: athletes become general managers or broadcasters)

There are two opposing viewpoints regarding the role a sport plays in helping blacks get ahead:

1. Sports-enhances-mobility hypothesis: sport is an effective avenue through which higher social status may be obtained.
2. Sport-impedes-mobility hypothesis: sport is a dead end for individuals who waste their time and energy developing sport skill.

Direct mobility- the benefits of having attained the status of professional athlete (the economic advantage for example).

Don’t forget that the chances of people becoming pro athletes are very slim (page 186).

Indirect mobility- the high school athlete who graduates because of the encouragement and social support extended by other, or the college athlete without the benefit of a scholarship, would not have gone beyond high school.

How many blacks are major professional athletes today? About 1200

Probability of a person becoming a pro baseball player: .002, football: .002, basketball: .001. Plus the average careers only last 4-7 years.

There is a democratization of sport now in the U.S., which means because of increasing affluence, and mass media exposure, many different social classes are participating in the same sports.

The fame of being an athlete is very high on the selected occupations prestige rankings (page 188), and the minimum salaries place the athlete in the upper percentile in terms of income. They can purchase homes and other items easier than the average 9-5 worker. But we don’t know where all the former athletes are and how they are doing, so we don’t really know if playing pro sports provides an increase in social mobility. We must consider a beginning and ending point of their careers, and that is very hard to do.

There can be little argument that many minority athletes have been able to translate their athletic experiences into a better standard of living for themselves, but we must also face up to the fact that for many minorities, sport has had little or no impact on their life chances. In some cases sport has contributed to even greater despair and failure (Mike Tyson).

The transition from the glamour and glitter of the sport world to the real world can cause social and psychological adjustments.

5. Social stratification has sport consequences.

   Upper class persons prefer participation sports, whereas the middle and lower class persons indicate a preference for spectator sports.

   The favorite sports of lower class persons are baseball, bowling and boxing, the middle class prefers football, swimming, and basketball, and the upper class prefers tennis and golf. The logic here is that the upper class can afford the facilities for golf and tennis.

   The emphasis on physical aggression among lower class persons may explain their preferences for boxing.