SOC 27

Question 1

Which gender participates more in sport, Men or Women ?

Answer 1

• Women’s participation levels are increasing. However, there are still fewer women participating in sport than men.
• The idea that some sports are more ‘male’ and others more ‘female’ has mostly disappeared but still some sports offer more opportunities to one sex over the other.
• For example, a boy who loves netball may struggle to find a team while women’s cricket, football and rugby are less popular than the male’s version.
• Overall in the UK a greater proportion of men than women play sport - 40.7% of men as opposed to 31.2% of women.

Question 2

How does age affect someone’s ability to play sport?

Answer 2

Age can affect a person’s ability to participate in certain activities (rugby might be too demanding for an elderly person)

• In most sports it is good to start young, although some competitive events may have age restrictions. For example, the minimum age to run the London Marathon is 18.
• Work and family responsibilities and health problems may prevent an adult from participation.

Question 3

How does socio-economic group effect participarion in sport

Answer 3

People are less likely to participate in sport if they come from a low socio economic group.

• Socio-economic groups are generalisations but they can say something about a person’s chance to access sport or physical activity.
• Most activities have associated costs e.g. hire of facilities, lessons, equipment and clothing. Some are very expensive while others are not.

Question 4

Can someone’s ethnicity and religion impact their participation in sport?

Answer 4

Ethnicity refers to a population whose members identify with each other and are united by common cultural, linguistic or religious traits.
- It can influence whether we play sport, what we choose to play and what sports we succeed in.
- Racism is still an issue in sport despite huge efforts to promote racial equality.
- In countries like Fiji, Tonga and Samoa rugby is part of their culture. On the other hand, there has been racist abuse against non-white players most notably in football.
- Religious services on a Sunday.

Question 5

Are pople with a disability less like to participate in sport

Answer 5

People with disabilities take part in many sporting activities. Opportunities for disabled people in sport are increasing.
- Unable to compete in certain activities/less clubs available.
- Solutions: - Adapted activities (wheelchair basketball)
- However, more availability is still needed in schools and at a local level.
- The media coverage of the 2012 Paralympics attracted record crowds which has encouraged many people to get in sport locally.
- More role models in society.

Question 6

Commercialisation of sport

Answer 6

• Commercialisation - making something available on the market, or using something to make a profit
• Commercialisation, the media and sport are connecte

Question 7

What are the adv of commercialisation?

Answer 7

advantages - e.g. more funding, wider audience, active lifestyle, awareness

Question 8

What are the disadv of commercialisation

Answer 8

disadvantages - e.g. higher prices, sponsors lead sport, ‘beauty parade’

Question 9

What is sportsmanship?

Answer 9

competitor plays to the rules and does not try to cheat

Question 10

What is gamesmanship?

Answer 10

competitor aims to win by any means, within or outside of the rules

Question 11

What is deviance ?

Answer 11

behaviour that falls outside the norms of what is thought to be acceptable