20th century (1900-1999) Flashcards
social class
A class divide still existed, but less obvious with more subtle divisions.
how social class impacted sport and pastimes
•still more opportunities (due to more time and money) for middle and upper
classes.
•For most of 20th century football, rugby league still associated with professionalism and the working class, rugby union, cricket still associated with amateurism and with middle / upper classes for example: cricket didn’t abandon its gentlemen (amateur) v players (professionals) match until the
1963. Athletics, tennis, and rugby union all gradually and mainly reluctantly accepted professionalism towards the end of 20th century.
•Late 20th century, measures such as local council subsidised sports centres / swimming pools etc. introduced to try and address inequality between classes.
•Public house still centres of leisure time for the working class where watching (later in century with advent of TV) and gambling on led to snooker, darts, football, horse racing, rugby league (in the North) becoming popular working-class sports
•Early in 20th century, amateurism still dominant in many sports and the amateur ideal considered more desirable as it had greater morality. •Most sports accepted professionalism as the century progressed the professional ideal became dominant in top level sport.
gender
Society and sport still male dominated but less so and female participation and equality increased as the century progressed
how gender impacted sorts and pastimes
•Sport still male dominated, both in terms of participating and spectating, less opportunity for women.
• Women still expected to fulfil traditional domestic role. Discrimination still existed (e.g. men only golf clubs).
•Little media coverage of female sport.
• Sport stereotypical (men - football, boxing, rugby etc. women - gymnastics etc.)
•Opportunities for women to participate slightly better than post-industrial times and this acceptance increased partly due to roles in the World Wars and at a faster rate from the ’60s due partly to the women’s liberation movement. This illustrated by some female sports becoming professional late in 20* century (tennis particularly influential)
availability of time and money
Still variable, depending on status, but generally more disposable income and time
how availability of time and money shaped sports and pastimes
•Early 20th century - still very dependent on class. Working class little time and money and therefore little opportunity.
• More time and money and opportunity for middle and upper classes.
• World wars severely limited time for all sport.
•As century progressed working week got shorter and working conditions improved also more disposable income led to increased opportunities for participation or to spectate with greater regularity. Also, workers had more energy and were healthier so were more likely to take part in and watch sport.
availability of transport
•Public transport dominant early in the century.
•Car ownership and air travel more widespread by the end of century.
how transport shaped sport and pastimes
•Developing transport networks especially rail and roads which assisted coach transport early in century allowed more nationwide competitions and large crowds to follow sport.
•International competitions still existed (e.g. first Olympics 1896, first Ashes 1882, first football World Cup 1930 - England didn’t participate in the World Cup until
1950) but limited international competition until advent of airlines mid part of century
•Later in the century more opportunity to travel (increase in car ownership) nationally and internationally to participate and spectate (e.g. Football World /
• European cups, Ryder Cup etc.)
•As the century progressed improvements in communication (e.g. radio and TV)
increased further the interest in sport and therefore its levels of interest and participation and spectatorism also increased.
•Sport could be used to advertise / ‘show off’ a country of city by hosting a large sporting event (the ‘shop window effect’ e.g. London Olympics 1948), because people could now attend or watch remotely!
law and order
•Society continues to be more civilised.
•Sport becoming more prominent in society, so Law becoming more specific to sport
how law and order shaped sports and pastimes
•society continues to be more civilised leading to sport being more civilised, regulated, and organised. For both participants and spectators.
•Most blood sports outlawed at the start of the century.
•The two world wars had a major impact on sport, a lot less sport played during the wars and was limited by the economic impact post war. Sport did continue and was considered a major morale booster.
•Hooliganism blighted football in the ’70s & ’80s.
•Sport specific Laws introduced at the end of the century for safety (Bradford City fire and Hillsborough 1985) - all seater stadiums 1990s, and specific laws to combat hooliganism (Football spectator Act 1989)
education / literacy
•literacy became universal in the 20th century.
•Boer War and two World Wars influential.
•Sport / PE / physical activity became compulsory part of education.
•Butler Act 1944
•National Curriculum 1988
how education/literacy shaped sports and pastimes
•Sporting press and spectating continues to increase in popularity due to universal literacy.
•Many soldiers died in warfare due to lack of fitness - first part of century exercise taught in state schools to produce a fitter population - better soldiers.
• Rationised games’ continued in public and private schools (rugby, cricket etc.)
•Various Acts in first part of century led to PE in state school becoming more as it is today, (gymnastics, athletics, team games and taught by PE teachers, physical, social and cognitive development)
•Most significant Butler Act in 1944, reinforced by the National Curriculum in
1988. Physical Education compulsory in schools this also impacted performance and participation.
• Before Comprehensive education in 1965, Grammar (more associated with middle class) and Secondary and Technical Modern Schools (more associated with working class). More sporting opportunities at Grammar schools, but PE taught in all.
• Still greater opportunities at Public and Private schools, who dominated National representation in many sports
