Social Class and Sport

Question 1

Encouraged to think of society and sport…

Answer 1

Meritocracies: achievement and success simply based on skills, abilities and perseverance

Question 2

Instead let’s look at society in terms of

Answer 2

social structure: patterns of social relationships and distributions of power, wealth and prestige that shape life opportunities

Question 3

Poverty is distinctly gendered

Answer 3

1 in 10 Canadians live below the poverty line
2000 homeless in Edmonton
50% of first nation children live below the poverty line

Question 4

Class

Answer 4

Categories of people who share economic position in society based on a combination of their income, wealth, educations, occupation, and social connections

Question 5

National Sport Participation Rate Continues to Decline

Answer 5

Fewer than 10% of individuals with household incomes below 20 00 participate in sport regularly
33% of individuals with household income higher than 80 000 participate in sport regularly

Question 6

1. Increased professionalization of community sport

2. Ideology of User fees and shift to ‘Big Box’ Recreation centres

Answer 6

1. hiring of psi coaches, escalating costs of training/facilities, long seasons
2. Post war ideology that sport centres were public goods
   * 1990s tax cuts & ideology of lowering taxes has impacted opportunities for rec centres

Question 7

Pierre Bourdieu: sport Participation and social class 
Differences based on access to:

Answer 7

Money - space/ facility requirements
Time
Cultural Taste
Body orientation - how people use their bodies can be informed by class status