3.4 Sociological theory applied to equal opportunities Flashcards
What is Sport England’s overall mission?
to create a sporting habit for life
Define county sport partnerships (CSPs)
national networks of local agencies working together to increase numbers in sport and physical activity (Sport England invest in CSPs)
What sport/physical activity providers do CSPs work with?
- health organisations
- local authorities
- national governing bodies
- sports clubs
- schools/education providers
What does Sport England do on a local level to increase sport participation?
- invest in CSPs
- offers help to local authorities so they can develop sport in their area
- implement schemes + initiatives for local authorities (specific to their needs)
- local outreach teams, which offer support and advice
What were the aims of Sport England’s £1 billion National Lottery funding into organisations and projects?
- help more people have a sporting habit for life
- create more opportunities for young people to play sport
- nurture and develop talent
- provide the right facilities in the right places
- support local authorities and unlock local funding
- ensure real opportunities for communities
What national partners does Sport England work with?
- Activity Alliance
- Sporting Equals
- Women in Sport
- StreetGames
What is Activity Alliance?
a national charity (was the English Federation of Disability sport) dedicated to increasing participation in sport and physical activity among disabled people
What is Sporting Equals?
an organisation which exists to promote greater involvement by disadvantaged communities and particularly in the black and ethnic minority population
What is Women in Sport?
aims to make being active more attractive to women and teenage girls by trying to break down barriers
What is StreetGames?
a national charity dedicated to developing sport with disadvantaged communities, making it accessible to all, regardless of social circumstances
What do StreetGames do?
- work to create networks at national (e.g. NGBs) and local (e.g. local authorities or sports clubs) levels to strengthen commitment to doorstep sports
- doorstep sport=access to sport in local communities where people live
- they provide affordable, low-cost sessions within neighbourhoods (travel not an issue)
- conveniently timed and informal sessions to make them more appealing to participation
Define society
an organised group of people associated for some specific purpose or with a shared common interest
Define socialisation
a lifelong process where members of a society learn its norms, values, ideas, practices and roles in order to take their place in that society
Define primary socialisation
socialisation during early childhood through influence of immediate family
Define secondary socialisation
socialisation in teenage years through influence of peer groups, friends and school
Define internalisation
the learning of values or attitudes that are incorporated within yourself
Define gender socialisation
the act of learning to conform to culturally defined gender roles through socialisation
What is social control?
the way in which people’s thoughts feelings, appearance and behaviour are regulated in social systems
Define institution
an established organisation founded for a religious, educational, professional or social purpose
Define social processes
forms of social interaction between individuals and groups which occur again and again
Define integration
able-bodied and disabled people taking part in the same activity at the same time e.g. London marathon
Define segregation
people with disabilities participating separately among themselves e.g. Paralympics
What are the common barriers of disabled people participating in sport?
- negative self-image or lack of confidence
- low income levels for cost of participation, transport costs
- lack of access into and around facilities
- low levels of media coverage/ lack of role models
- lack of organised programmes
- lack of specialised coaches/clubs/equipment/competitions to access
- myths/stereotypes about capabilities of people with a disability, lower societal expectations, safety concerns (traditionally viewed as dangerous)
What solutions are there to the barriers of disabled people participating in sport?
- providing more opportunities for high level success e.g. Paralympics
- increased investment in disabled sport, making it more affordable
- providing transport to facilities, improved access to facilities
- improved technology e.g. prosthetics/wheelchairs
- increased media coverage and promote role models to aspire to
- training of more specialist coaches, set up more clubs
- educating people on myths and stereotypes
- designing activities specifically for individuals with a disability e.g. goalball/boccia
- modifying activities e.g. wheelchair basketball
- specialist organisations such as Activity Alliance and Sport England working to support and co-ordinate the development of sporting opportunities for people with disabilities
Define racism
a set of beliefs or ideas based on the assumption that races have distinct hereditary characteristics that give some races an intrinsic superiority over others; it may lead to physical or verbal abuse
Define ethnic groups
people who have racial, religious or linguistic traits in common
Define stacking
the disproportionate concentration of ethnic minorities in certain positions in a sports team, which tends to be based on the stereotype that they are more valuable for their physicality than their decision making and communication qualities
Define channelling
ethnic minorities may be pushed into certain sports and even certain positions within a team, based on assumptions about them
What are the barriers to participation for ethnic minority groups?
- conflict with religious/cultural observances
- high value placed on education as opposed to sporting participation
- fear of racist abuse, prejudice or discrimination
- fewer role models to aspire to, particularly in coaching/managerial positions
- fear of rejection/low levels of self-esteem
- stereotyping/attempts at channelling ethnic minorities into certain sports
- language barriers may exist
What solutions are there to racial disadvantage in sport?
- training more ethnic minority coaches and educating them on the effects of stereotyping
- ensuring there is single sex provision e.g. for Muslim women to overcome cultural barriers
- publicising and severely punishing any racist abuse
- ensuring provision in PE programmes is appropriate for all ethnic preferences
- organising campaigns against racism in sport
- Kick it Out football’s equality and inclusion organisation, working to challenge discrimination + campaign for change
What is the Rooney rule?
requires national football teams in the USA to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs
Define sexism
the belief that one sex is inferior to the other, usually women
What are the barriers to women participating in sport?
- stereotypical myths in society e.g. women lacking aggression for sports like rugby
- less media coverage of women’s sport
- fewer positive/attainable role models for women to aspire to e.g. coaches, performers, officials or positions of power in sport
- media pressure to be thin as opposed to healthy (ideal female body may not look like an active body)
- fewer sponsorship opportunities/opportunities to become full time athletes
- negative impact of school PE programmes e.g. rules on showering/kit, lack of appealing activities
- lack of fitness, low levels of self-confidence, body image issues
- lack of leisure time due to work, childcare/domestic responsibilities
- lack of disposable income
- channelling women into certain ‘female appropriate sports’
- fewer leagues/competitions/clubs available for women to participate in
What are the possible solutions to gender inequality in sport?
- introduce laws which make sex discrimination unlawful e.g. the Sex Discrimination Act 1975
- encourage greater social acceptance of women having jobs/careers with more disposable income
- encourage shared domestic/childcare responsibilities so more leisure time for sport
- increased media coverage of women’s sport, provide more positive/attainable role models to aspire to
- increased sponsorship attracted to women’s sport
- providing education to reject stereotypical myths, improved PE provision
- more opportunities for women to join sports clubs
- making sports facilities as clean and attractive as possible
- social media to create friendships with like-minded individuals playing sport- to increase motivation
- via the work of organisations e.g. Sport England and Women in Sport
What are the socio-cultural reasons for the increase of female participation in football?
- increased opportunities in society in general
- increased media coverage of women’s football, more role models
- more opportunities for girls to play football in school PE programmes
- more football clubs to join in the area they live
- the rejection of stereotypes affecting female participation in contact activities like football
- general increase in leisure time and disposable income available to women
- more opportunities to play professionally in England e.g. formation of the FA women’s super league
State the health benefits of raising participation in physical activity/sport
- decreased risk of heart disease/stroke
- avoidance of high/low blood pressure
- decreased risk of type 2 diabetes
- maintaining a healthy weight/decreased risk of obesity
- strengthening of bones and muscles/decreased risk of osteoporosis and back pain
- improved mental health and stress management, decreased risk of conditions e.g. anxiety or depression
- decreased risk of some cancers
State the fitness benefits of raising participation in physical activity/sport
- improved posture
- improved body composition
- improved cardiovascular fitness
- improved muscular strength/endurance
- improved flexibility
- improved agility/balance/co-ordination
- improved speed/power
- improved reaction time
State the social benefits of raising participation in physical activity/sport
- improved sleep patterns, can enhance a person’s mood and their relationships
- raised levels of serotonin and endorphins, help a person to feel happier, have a more positive outlook on life
- develop new friendships with people who share a common interest
- improved concentration, allowing a clearer focus on social relationships
- increased confidence/self-esteem
What are some of the initiatives in place by Sport England to increase participation of women in sport?
- making women’s sport a major priority financially across 46 core sport NGBs in which they are investing millions of pounds
- In 2015, they invested £2.3 million into ‘I Will If You Will’ in the local authority of Bury to help understand how to get more women playing sport
- In 2015, they also introduced ‘This Girl Can’ a scheme designed to help overcome barriers for women and girls
- ‘Go where women are’ an insight pack available from Sport England about engaging women in sport on their terms and in their space
Identify the economic barriers which may account for the lower rate of participation of women in sport and physical activity
- costs involved
- fewer sponsorship opportunities available
- fewer full-time sporting opportunities
- long working hours/less leisure time available
Identify schemes and initiatives Sport England has put in place to improve opportunities for women and young girls to participate in sport
- This Girl Can
- Women in Sport
- I Will If You Will
- Active Women
- Breeze- by British Cycling to increase women participation, offers free rides up the country
- Back to Netball
- Us Girls- by StreetGames to increase and sustain young women’s sport participation in disadvanatged communities
Define equal opportunities
the right to access the same opportunities, regardless of factors such as race, age, sex, mental or physical capability
Define prejudice
to form an unfavourable opinion of an individual, often based on inadequate facts
Define discrimination
the unfair treatment of a person or, minority group; to make a distinction and act on a prejudice
Define stereotyping
a standardised image of a group, making simple generalisations about all members of a group which allows others to categorise and treat them accordingly
Define social change
an alteration in the social order of a society
Define social issues
problems that affect many people within a society
Define inequality
the unfair situation where resources or opportunities are distributed unevenly within a society
State the key causes of inequality in sport participation
- lack of money/cost of participation
- lack of confidence/self-esteem
- lack of role models to aspire to
- myths or stereotypes in some sections of society about the capabilities of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people
Define social stratification
a type of social inequality where society is divided into different levels on the basis of a social characteristic, such as wealth or status
Give examples of social issues
- gender or disability discrimination
- drug abuse
- low activity patterns linked to health/obesity problems
What social structures exists that have an impact on sports participation?
- the type of school you go to (impacts what activities you get to try out)
- the amount of free time devoted to sport
- the quality of teaching/coaching received to develop talents
- the quality of facilities you train in
Define social class
a term used to define social inequalities i.e. certain groups have more access to wealth, income and power than others
What factors contribute to social class?
a person’s job, family background, education and income
How are children from low-income families disadvantged?
- poorer health, may undermine their physical and skill levels
- less money to spend on sports equipment, additional specialist coaching etc
How can participation in sport be increased among individuals in the working class?
- increased publicity/advertisement of opportunities available
- making sure they’re affordable
- provide taster sessions
- provide appealing activities
- invest in areas of social deprivation
Describe the main concepts of social action theory
- social action theory considers how sport can impact society
- society is created by social interaction/interactionist theory
- by interacting with others, people create organisations e.g. schools/clubs
- these organisations influence people e.g. expecting people to obey the rules of the organisation
- interactions lead to changes in the social processes that exist
State the individual benefits of raising participation in sport/physical activity
Health: increased health + fitness, lower body weight, lower blood pressure/stress levels, raised self-esteem
Social: improved social skills, improved ability to develop friendships
Crime: more positive use of free time
Employment: increased productivity at work, lower absenteeism
Economic: increased spending on healthy pursuits
State the societal benefits of raising participation in sport/physical activity
Health: reduced strain on NHS, lower obesity levels
Social: increased community integration, improved community morale
Crime: lower crime statistics
Employment: workplace/employer benefits as less time off/higher productivity rates
Economic: more money is put into the economy via increased ‘leisure-spend’
What are the general barriers to participation of physical activity
- lack of time
- negative social influences, poor PE influences
- lack of motivation
- lack of skill
- lack of resources/high costs of participation
- family obligations/domestic responsibilities
What solutions are there to general barriers to participation for physical activity?
- lack of time= add physical activity to a daily routine e.g. walk or cycle to work
- negative social influences=invite family and friends to exercise with you, join a group where physical activity plays an important part
- lack of motivation= invite a friend to exercise with you on a regular basis, join an exercise class
- lack of skill= select activities requiring few or no skills e.g. walking/jogging
- family obligations= exercise with the children e.g. go for a walk or swim
What initiatives are in place by Sport England to increase participation of disabled sport?
- Everyone Can: aims to change perceptions around disabled people’s participation in physical activity
- from ‘Places People Play’ Sport England ring-fenced £10.2 million on improving sport for disabled people
- Inclusive Sport: aimed to increase the number of disabled young people (14+) and adults regularly playing sport
- Get Equipped: funding scheme that aimed to provide disabled performers with specialist equipment
Explain how services provided by local partners allows Sport England to develop sport at a local level
- club development allows more people to participate
- coaching development/better coaches improves standard of performance
- education programmes increases awareness of importance of health and fitness
- equality/targeted campaigns working to increase participation among under-represented groups
- better facilities allows more people to participate
- funding and support for grassroots sports to provide facilities/coaches to increase participation
- marketing and communication to allow local clubs to spread the work about available opportunities
