21st century sport

Question 1

What are the factors that influence sport in the 21st century?

Answer 1

1. Social class
2. Amateurism and professionalism
3. Gender
4. Law and order
5. Education
6. Availability of time, money and transport
7. Global sporting events.

Question 2

How does class influence sport in the 21th century?

Answer 2

1. Sports are still associated with certain social class
2. Football is played and watched by the working classes, but it is now much more mixed
3. Tennis, golf and polo are still associated with the upper/middle classes because of the expense and social elitism associated with joining such clubs
4. Class divisions in traditionally middle class sports were not as clear, all social classes would now play sports such as tennis.
5. Higher socio-economic groups participated in sport significantly more than those from low socio-economic groups after the age 16.
6. Stadium modernisation led all social classes to watch football.

Question 3

How does gender influence sport in the 21th century?

Answer 3

1. Men are far more likely to participate/spectate in sport than women.
2. Some regard sport as unfeminine which reinforces male dominance in sport and sport coverage e.g. rugby
3. Certain activates are traditionally linked to either males or females which can lead to discrimination e.g. a man doing dance.
4. The participation of women in sports such as rugby and football is larger than before and is continuing to grow.
5. There is an increase in female sports presenters in the media, which may encourage women to take an interest in sport.
6. There is less discrimination against women who are members of clubs e.g. golf clubs.

Question 4

How does law and order influence sport in the 21th century?

Answer 4

1. The rights of spectators and their safety are now enshrined in law.
2. The protection of officials and referees have been ensured.
3. Football banning orders have been used to stop trouble makers from travelling abroad.
4. Performers are now banned from misusing of drugs, misconduct on the field and match fixing.
5. Performers are now protected from discrimination based on race and gender.
6. Golf clubs can no longer discriminate on the grounds of gender.

Question 5

How does education influence sport in the 21th century?

Answer 5

1. Qualifications in physical education and sport, including sport science, have increased.
2. There are a levels, GCSEs, BTECs etc all related to study PE and sport. This gives an increase in opportunity for young people to study PE and sport.

Question 6

How does the availability of time, money and transport influence sport in the 21th century?

Answer 6

1. The growing availability of time due to technological advances and more flexible working conditions has resulted in more participation in sport.
2. The global recession has led to less disposable income for people to spend on sport and exercise e.g. gym memberships.
3. The availability of transport has increased due to cars. Participants are now willing to travel by car to engage in sports, as are spectators.
4. The availability of cheap air fares has allowed people to travel abroad to compete and spectate.

Question 7

Why might sports have become globalised?

Answer 7

1. Better, more affordable transport, planes, cars.
2. Media coverage.
3. Greater exposure of people to sport.

Question 8

How has freedom of movement and greater exposure of people to sport influenced the globalisation of sport in the 21st century?

Answer 8

1. Individuals can travel freely across countries, especially those in the EU, to participate or spectate teams abroad.
2. Athletes can change nationalities to compete for a particular country e.g. African football players migrating to Europe.
3. Cheapness of air travel allows more people to travel easily, thus giving people exposure to sport.

Question 9

How does media coverage influence the globalisation of sport in the 21 century?

Answer 9

1. The media increased the number of people who watched televised sport
   E.g. in rugby league, the super league was formed, matches moved to summer where less team sports were available.
2. Olympic events are scheduled at unsuitable times because of demands of TV companies who broadcast event around the world across time zones.
3. In football there is VAR which is largely due to the influence of television.