Social Stratification: sport exercise and social class Flashcards
How is social class defined?
Social class refers to strata of people who share a similar position in society based on income, wealth, education, and occupation.
What prevailing belief exists about New Zealand’s social structure?
There is a belief that New Zealand is classless and egalitarian.
How is sport often perceived in relation to social class?
Sport is praised as meritocratic and associated with equality, providing a ‘level playing field’ for all.
What narrative is often associated with sport regarding social mobility?
Sport is seen as a site for social mobility, exemplified by the ‘rags to riches’ story.
What question challenges the idea of sport as a ‘level playing field’?
Is sport truly a ‘level playing field’ or does involvement correlate with social class status and advantage/disadvantage?
how much more likely are adults and children at getting obese in social deprived plaves in NZ
adults - 1.5
children - 2.5
What role does social class play in our lives?
Social class is a significant indicator of our ‘life chances,’ influencing experiences, possibilities, and attitudes.
How does social class affect one’s life trajectory?
Individuals born into a particular social class are likely to exist and die within that same class grouping.
What are the two main classes identified in Marxist theory?
The two main classes are owners and workers, whose interests are in direct conflict.
How does Marxism view class boundaries?
Marxism posits that class boundaries are unchanging.
What role does sport play in relation to capitalism, according to Marxist theory?
Sport is seen as entrenching capitalist inequality and reinforcing the social class divide.
What aspect of class dynamics does Marxism emphasize?
Marxism emphasizes the economic aspects of class dynamics.
What do critical approaches to sport challenge regarding its ideology?
They are skeptical of the hegemonic ideology that sport is meritocratic.
How do critical theories view the relationship between sport and social class?
They explore the entanglement of sport with the (re)production of social class divisions and inequality.
What additional factors do critical theories include in the analysis of social class?
They include status and non-economic power, such as cultural, symbolic, and social capital.
What does critical theory emphasize about social class mobility?
It acknowledges that people can exercise social class mobility.
In critical theories, what is sport viewed as a site for?
Sport is seen as a site where ‘class cultures’ can be produced and reproduced.
How is the reproduction of class cultures connected to broader societal dynamics?
It is connected to broader power relations, including opportunities, privilege, and status.
How have sport and exercise historically reinforced class boundaries?
Through practices like amateurism rules, dress codes, and participation restrictions.
What do distinct class cultures in sport reflect?
They reflect the cultural peculiarities and distinguishing features of each class group.
How is the triathlon body symbolically significant in middle-class culture?
It represents dedication, control, discipline, and cultural investment in health.
How do triathletes frame their sport within middle-class values?
They ascribe moral worth to community rituals of sports-related suffering through training and competing.
What characterizes lower-class culture in relation to physical expression?
It emphasizes toughness, risk-taking, and the body as an instrument for pleasure or profit.
Why might working-class individuals feel less incentivized to participate in organized sport?
They may see little advantage in participation to change their life circumstances.
What unique challenges do girls and women in low-income households face regarding sport participation?
They face the greatest constraints to participation.
What does middle-class culture prioritize in relation to the body?
Crafting the body for well-being, social acceptance, and preventive health care behaviors.
How does upper-class culture differ in its approach to leisure activities?
It focuses on socially distinguishing leisure pursuits in private clubs, often for social networking.
What is a hallmark of upper-class leisure activities?
Immediate gratification through luxury experiences, like fine wines and exclusive sports.
