21st century (2000-now) Flashcards
social class
Class still impacts, though in Britain some would argue less obviously than before. With more subtle sub-divisions
how social class shaped and impacted sports
• Sports which in the past has a definite link with a particular social class (e.g., rugby league with the lower classes, tennis with the middle classes) now are much more mixed.
•Spectating also more mixed, e.g., football, which used to be watched almost exclusively by the working classes now has a very varied audience especially since the formation of the Premier League in 1992.
•However, some sports are still associated with particular classes i.e., golf / skiing / polo with the middle classes, often due to cost associated with equipment, membership fees etc.
gender
A continued move to more female equality. However, far more men are still involved in participating in and spectating of sport.
how gender shaped and impacted sports
•Traditional female role in society changing - if not fully.
• Certain activities still are gender stereotyped e.g. aerobics or netball for women and football, rugby, cricket for men.
• However, more women are now involved in physical exercise and female participation in team sports such as rugby, cricket and football is much larger and continuing to grow.
•There is an increase in female sports presenters in the media (although often young and attractive) and there are fewer instances of open discrimination against women in sport.
•Also the increase in female sporting role models perhaps encourage more women to participate and show an interest in sport. a Prize money / wages etc. still uneven, with a few exceptions.
education/literacy
PE and sport remain a significant part of the school curriculum.
how education shaped and impacted sports
•PE continues to be obligatory for school children leads to high participation rates.
• Education about health benefits increases participation.
•PE / Sport science an ever increasingly popular course / qualification at every level including PhD, requiring, and rewarding participation.
•Sporting initiatives in school (E.g. SSCo programme) increase participation
•Extra-curricular sport (after school and lunchtime) increase opportunity for competitive sport
• School club links increase opportunity for competitive sport
• Fee paying schools generally still offer more sporting opportunity and dominate elite level representation in some sports (Olympic sports, cricket, rugby union)
law and order
Law in the 21st century is becoming more sophisticated and specific to sport, e.g. Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
how law and order shaped and impacted sport
•Litigation over injuries suffered in sport becoming more common i.e. one player suing another player or even suing an official about poor failure to control a game. Breeching ‘duty of care’.
•Increased number of appeals to Court of Arbitration for Sport.
• Increased criminal prosecutions against sports people for violent conduct on the field.
•Laws have also been passed to safeguard spectators, prevent football hooligans travelling and to unlaw discriminatory practices in sport Increased police attention to match fixing / illegal betting has made it easier to detect.
•Some may argue if you charge players for on field discretions in the courts of the land then it will diminish the physicality and passion of games which will diminish its appeal.
availability of time and money
Free time and disposable income highest in 21st century due to technological advances, flexible working hours, more paid holiday etc.
how availability of time and money shaped and impacted sports
•Free time and disposable income continue to shape participation. With wealth not distributed evenly.
•Participation higher than previous eras but dropped since 2012.
•Negative impact of world economic recession 2008 and COVID pandemic on opportunities for participation.
•Work-life balance issues /some complain of being ‘money rich, but time poor.
availability of transport
•Ever quicker transport and communications mean that the world is getting smaller
•In Britain, negative issues with road congestion and expense/reliability of public transport
how transport shaped and impacted sport
•Availability of transport has increased in still further in 21st century Britain, with most households owning at least one car.
• Further opportunities for participating and spectating.
High level competitions increased in frequency (e.g. Indian Premier League,
• European Champions League etc.)
•The continued growth / development of specialist sports tour companies.
• Recent road congestion and expense/reliability of public transport can negatively affect participation / spectating.
• The increase in availability of affordable air fares has also contributed to more travel abroad to compete and spectate in sport.
