Cultural, Racial and Ethnic Influences on Sport and Physical Activity

Question 1

Define: Race

Answer 1

Social category constructed and accepted by society to describe members with genetic similarity
Population of people who are believed to be naturally or biologically distinct from other populations

Question 2

Define: Ethnicity

Answer 2

Cultural heritage that people use to identify a particular population
Not biological
Shared culture, cultural traditions, and history

Question 3

Define: Racial-Ethnic Group

Answer 3

Possess similar social and economic conditions, because of cultural labeling as a race
Common culture develops

Question 4

Define: Minority Group

Answer 4

Members share common group characteristics, and suffer from discrimination
- Lack power

Question 5

Define: Institutional Racism

Answer 5

• Common practices in society that systematically hurt one group more than another
• Practices and systems that perpetuate racism, even when individuals are not racist

Question 6

Explain why the concepts of race is not a valid biological concept

Answer 6

• Racial categories: Social creations based on meanings given to selected physical traits (arbitary)
  Human Genome Project
• External traits are not genetically linked with patterns of internal differences
• Scientists cannot find any specific genetic markers that define the characteristics of athleticism (speed, height, strength) in one group or “race” more than any other (Kerr, 2010)
• There is a strong interplay between the socio-cultural environment and the biology of human growth and development (Bogin, 2001)
• There are physiological adaptations in some groups of people due to historical, environmental and cultural reasons
• No evidence that these are linked to the 1-6 genes responsible for skin pigmentation

Question 7

What is race logic and how do we see it in sport?

Answer 7

Race logic encourages people to:
* “See” sport performances in racialised terms (i.e., in terms of skin color)
* Explain the success or failure of people in racial terms
* Do studies to “discover” racial difference

Race Logic Used in Sports
Achievements of white athletes are due to:
* character, culture, organisation

Achievements of black athletes are due to:
* Biology, natural physical abilities

Question 8

If success is not attributed to race how can we explain an athletes success?

Answer 8

Cultural explanation, not a biological one
Social Structural Reasons
Occupational Constraints:
* African Americans may view sport as being one of the few avenues to be successful in US society
* Many athletic role models

Opportunity Structures
* Facilities and resources available
* Differences between stereotypical white and black basketball players

Question 9

What is the effect of race logic on people?

Answer 9

• Black male students often have a difficult time shaking “athlete” labels based on race logic
• Young people from all racial backgrounds may make choices influenced by race logic

Question 10

How does the media use race logic?

Answer 10

Language from commentary often focuses on:
* Physical specimen
* Unrivalled muscular physiques
* “brawn then brain”
* Success = natural skill/freakish ability
* Mistakes = mental errors

African American representation
* 3 typical portrayals: criminal, entertainer or athletic
* Athletes over represented in crime, DV and stories with negative tone.
* females are often ignored by mainstream press

Question 11

What are the Cultural Barriers to Participation for indigenous Australian

Answer 11

• Attitudes to personal health – connection to family, ancestors, wider community and the land may be more important to choices made about their lives (including health)
• Importance of relationships – exercising alone for personal benefit prevents a person from spending time with family and loved ones, which may be seen as shameful
• Modesty – some indigenous Australians see bare limbs as shameful (can restrict exercise options)
• Limited access to sport and recreation facilities
• Low incomes
• Limited access to transport
• Limited relevance of health promotion programs
• Failure of PE programs to accommodate Indigenous cultural practices and to include traditional games and dances
• Feeling isolated and misunderstood may cause students to withdraw from school activities (including sport)