- Published: October 2, 2022
- Updated: October 2, 2022
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 50
Importance of Studying Sports from a Sociological Perspective Introduction Complexity in social life across the world is a major determinant in the understanding evolution of sport and its importance in the current world situation. Throughout history, culture has shaped sports activities, and the same has been replicated throughout the world. Therefore, the discussion will be based on the importance of studying sport from a social perspective.
Sort is given special meaning in people’s lives
It is important to study sports because it in an inseparable part of social life. For instance Olympic Games, Football World Cup, International Rugby, Australian Tennis Open (Coakley & Dunning, 2000) have gained so much fame across the world yet they were initiated by a small community in different parts of the world. It is evidential that sport is among the most talked about discussions, which improves relations between friends, family, and strangers. This gives an indication that sports has a special place in human life, and thus sociologists require this knowledge in understanding current trends in social life.
Sport is tied to important ideas and beliefs in many cultures.
Ideologies revolve around culture, societal principles, and viewpoints because they define human feelings, thoughts and actions (Coakley & Dunning, 2000). The difference in beliefs has made sports socially relevant because every society has its perception in terms of character, gender roles, attributes, and social class among others. Therefore, the complexity of relationships between sports and society ideologies is an important concern for sociologists because it helps unravel some of the generalized roles and explore its potential spheres.
Sport is connected to major spheres of social life
Family, economic prosperity; politics, education, and religion are among the fields that are directly connected to sports. For instance, during the 2006 Olympics games, organizations sacrificed up to $ 4 million for a single minute of commercial time to advertise their services. This in its sense is an economic driver and thus studying it reveals how best societal perception in sports can be used to generate revenue for economic stability.
Sport illustrates social issues, social organization, and social change
Through sports; sociologists quickly understand and related repeated social issues and change. Therefore, they can understand human behavior and its influence on sports and social construction.
Sports fulfill human needs.
Each social class has its need and is satisfied differently through sports. Each society derives satisfaction from sports depending on how it perceives it. While others derive pleasure because it is entertaining, others see opportunities in business, establishing long lasting social relationships, breakthrough innovations, and exchange of culture.
Conclusion
Sociologists study sports because they are keen to establish the benefits and other impacts that such activities have on human lives and its connections to different ideologies that have been replicated all over the world. Importantly, sociologists acknowledge sports as a natural social construction in a society that serves different purposes because of its relation to historical, economic, and political factors.
References
Coakley, J & Dunning, E (Eds) (2000). Handbook of Sports Studies. London: Sage.