Social Stratification: sport exercise and social class

Question 1

How is social class defined?

Answer 1

Social class refers to strata of people who share a similar position in society based on income, wealth, education, and occupation.

Question 2

What prevailing belief exists about New Zealand’s social structure?

Answer 2

There is a belief that New Zealand is classless and egalitarian.

Question 3

How is sport often perceived in relation to social class?

Answer 3

Sport is praised as meritocratic and associated with equality, providing a ‘level playing field’ for all.

Question 4

What narrative is often associated with sport regarding social mobility?

Answer 4

Sport is seen as a site for social mobility, exemplified by the ‘rags to riches’ story.

Question 5

What question challenges the idea of sport as a ‘level playing field’?

Answer 5

Is sport truly a ‘level playing field’ or does involvement correlate with social class status and advantage/disadvantage?

Question 6

how much more likely are adults and children at getting obese in social deprived plaves in NZ

Answer 6

adults - 1.5
children - 2.5

Question 7

What role does social class play in our lives?

Answer 7

Social class is a significant indicator of our ‘life chances,’ influencing experiences, possibilities, and attitudes.

Question 8

How does social class affect one’s life trajectory?

Answer 8

Individuals born into a particular social class are likely to exist and die within that same class grouping.

Question 9

What are the two main classes identified in Marxist theory?

Answer 9

The two main classes are owners and workers, whose interests are in direct conflict.

Question 10

How does Marxism view class boundaries?

Answer 10

Marxism posits that class boundaries are unchanging.

Question 11

What role does sport play in relation to capitalism, according to Marxist theory?

Answer 11

Sport is seen as entrenching capitalist inequality and reinforcing the social class divide.

Question 12

What aspect of class dynamics does Marxism emphasize?

Answer 12

Marxism emphasizes the economic aspects of class dynamics.

Question 13

What do critical approaches to sport challenge regarding its ideology?

Answer 13

They are skeptical of the hegemonic ideology that sport is meritocratic.

Question 14

How do critical theories view the relationship between sport and social class?

Answer 14

They explore the entanglement of sport with the (re)production of social class divisions and inequality.

Question 15

What additional factors do critical theories include in the analysis of social class?

Answer 15

They include status and non-economic power, such as cultural, symbolic, and social capital.

Question 16

What does critical theory emphasize about social class mobility?

Answer 16

It acknowledges that people can exercise social class mobility.

Question 17

In critical theories, what is sport viewed as a site for?

Answer 17

Sport is seen as a site where ‘class cultures’ can be produced and reproduced.

Question 18

How is the reproduction of class cultures connected to broader societal dynamics?

Answer 18

It is connected to broader power relations, including opportunities, privilege, and status.

Question 19

How have sport and exercise historically reinforced class boundaries?

Answer 19

Through practices like amateurism rules, dress codes, and participation restrictions.

Question 20

What do distinct class cultures in sport reflect?

Answer 20

They reflect the cultural peculiarities and distinguishing features of each class group.

Question 21

How is the triathlon body symbolically significant in middle-class culture?

Answer 21

It represents dedication, control, discipline, and cultural investment in health.

Question 22

How do triathletes frame their sport within middle-class values?

Answer 22

They ascribe moral worth to community rituals of sports-related suffering through training and competing.

Question 23

What characterizes lower-class culture in relation to physical expression?

Answer 23

It emphasizes toughness, risk-taking, and the body as an instrument for pleasure or profit.

Question 24

Why might working-class individuals feel less incentivized to participate in organized sport?

Answer 24

They may see little advantage in participation to change their life circumstances.

Question 25

What unique challenges do girls and women in low-income households face regarding sport participation?

Answer 25

They face the greatest constraints to participation.

Question 26

What does middle-class culture prioritize in relation to the body?

Answer 26

Crafting the body for well-being, social acceptance, and preventive health care behaviors.

Question 27

How does upper-class culture differ in its approach to leisure activities?

Answer 27

It focuses on socially distinguishing leisure pursuits in private clubs, often for social networking.

Question 28

What is a hallmark of upper-class leisure activities?

Answer 28

Immediate gratification through luxury experiences, like fine wines and exclusive sports.