The impact of sports on our societies
Shade Academia Weekly Newsletter- Social Sciences
Welcome back, everyone! With the start of the new school year, it's an exciting time for many, especially athletes as they kick off their sports seasons! This week, as we focus on the social sciences, we’re diving into the sociology of sports and its connection to society. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, we hope you take a moment to explore this week’s material and share something new you’ve learned with a friend!
New Horizons in the Sociology of Sport
The Role of Sociology in Understanding Sports
Sports are not only a physical activity or entertainment; they are a reflection of society’s complexities. The article "New Horizons in the Sociology of Sport," authored by Richard Giulianotti and Ansgar Thiel, delves into the emerging trends, challenges, and future directions in the field of sport sociology. As a relatively young discipline, sport sociology aims to explore the ways in which sports influence, and are influenced by, various societal factors. This article serves as both a review of its historical context and a guide for its future trajectory, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary cooperation and deeper societal understanding.
The Study’s Purpose and Approach
The primary aim of Giulianotti and Thiel’s research was to analyze the current status of sport sociology and identify future challenges and opportunities for the discipline. They argue that despite the increasing importance of sports in global culture, the sociology of sport remains marginalized within the broader fields of sociology and social science. This marginalization, they suggest, is partly due to the perception of sport as a non-serious academic subject.
To address these challenges, the authors explore three levels of peripherality: the social sciences’ position relative to the natural sciences, sociology’s position within the social sciences, and the sociology of sport’s position within academia. They also review the strengths of the discipline, including its ability to tackle complex societal issues through a critical and interdisciplinary lens. The article emphasizes the importance of scaling up research efforts, enhancing transnational collaboration, and engaging with global sociological issues such as equality and diversity.
Findings and Impact on Future Research
One of the key findings from the article is the need for sport sociologists to be more integrated into larger, interdisciplinary research projects, especially as sports become increasingly commercialized and globalized. The authors advocate for a more substantial role for sport sociologists in tackling pressing societal challenges, such as inequality, globalization, and public health. By doing so, sport sociology can contribute meaningfully to policy-making and societal transformation.
The article also stresses the importance of maintaining a pluralistic approach to theory and research methods. As sport evolves, so too should the frameworks used to study it. The future of sport sociology, according to Giulianotti and Thiel, will require greater collaboration between sociologists and other disciplines, particularly in areas where the biological, psychological, and social aspects of sport intersect.
Relevance to Everyday Life
While the article focuses on the academic field, its findings have real-world implications. Sports are a significant part of everyday life for many people, whether as participants or spectators. Understanding the social dynamics of sport—such as how it reinforces societal norms or challenges inequalities—can help us reflect on how these issues manifest in our own lives. For example, the way athletes are portrayed in the media, or how sports organizations address diversity and inclusion, can reflect larger societal attitudes. By studying these issues more deeply, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable sports environment.
The article by Giulianotti and Thiel offers a comprehensive overview of the current challenges and future possibilities for the sociology of sport. Their call for greater interdisciplinary collaboration and a more global approach to research highlights the importance of sport as a lens through which we can better understand societal change. As the field continues to grow, it has the potential to address critical social issues and improve the way we engage with sports, both academically and personally. Click here
Deeper Thinking Questions:
- How can the sociology of sport contribute to addressing larger societal issues such as inequality and globalization?
- In what ways does sport both reflect and reinforce societal norms? How can it be used to challenge these norms?
- What are the benefits and challenges of adopting a more interdisciplinary approach to the study of sport, especially in collaboration with natural sciences and humanities?
We hope you found today's reading interesting and took away something new that you can share or teach to a friend. Tune in next week for more from Shade Academia!