Social Stratification and Mobility SEP 271 Jack C. Watson II

Topical Outline Definitions Definitions Discussion Questions Discussion Questions Social Class Differentiation Social Class Differentiation Youth Sport Participation Youth Sport Participation Spectator Preferences Spectator Preferences Upward Mobility Upward Mobility Myths about Sport Myths about Sport Topical Review Topical Review

Definitions Social Differentiation: categorizing people based upon personal attributes Social Differentiation: categorizing people based upon personal attributes Social Stratification: When personal attributes are ranked. Social Stratification: When personal attributes are ranked. –Often creates inequality –Often incorporated into values of society Social Class: group of people occupying the same economic rank. Social Class: group of people occupying the same economic rank. Socioeconomic Status (SES): Group of people within a social class. Socioeconomic Status (SES): Group of people within a social class.

Is sport Egalitarian? (promotes interaction across social classes and races) Is sport Meritocratic? (Promotes mobility across social bounds, due to talent) Has sport in the 20 th Century decreased the impact of social class?

Class Differences in Sport Participation Upper Class Upper Class –Individual sports »Golf »Tennis –Time restrictions »No need to count on others »Do on your own time –Money Restrictions »More expensive »Not readily available to everyone (clubs) »Impress others (conspicuous consumption) Lower Class Lower Class –Organized team sports »Baseball »Basketball »Football –Community supported –Limited resources –Limited space –Limited Access –Supported by employers

SES and Youth Sport Participation Low SES kids more likely to be involved in sports Low SES kids more likely to be involved in sports –makes the laying field equal Low SES kids are more likely to take part in contact sports Low SES kids are more likely to take part in contact sports Low SES kids take part in sports that require less $ and equipment Low SES kids take part in sports that require less $ and equipment High SES kids participate in sports at better schools, with more $ and opportunities High SES kids participate in sports at better schools, with more $ and opportunities –better facilities, coaches, schedules

SES and Spectator Preferences What SES group most frequently attends sport contests of all types What SES group most frequently attends sport contests of all types College grad watch more college sports on TV College grad watch more college sports on TV HS grads watch on TV and attend more pseudo sports HS grads watch on TV and attend more pseudo sports Prole Sports: speed, strength, daring, and violent. Most watched by low SES Prole Sports: speed, strength, daring, and violent. Most watched by low SES –Why do low SES individuals like them?

Sports and Upward Mobility Can minorities increase their SES through sport participation? Can minorities increase their SES through sport participation? –Child athletes from low SES families are less likely to be delinquent »Have higher self-concept »Have higher educational aspirations »Higher occupational achievement »Higher educational achievement »Higher income achievement »This is more true for white males and females »Do better than their parents –Have higher achievement than their parents »starters do better than subs »own homes Is sport a Mobility Escalator? Is sport a Mobility Escalator?

What are Prole Sports? Prole Sports- lesser advertised and televised sports that involve speed, danger, violence, and physical strength Prole Sports- lesser advertised and televised sports that involve speed, danger, violence, and physical strength –Do not include MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA –Examples include: Drag racing, Mountain Bike racing, Motorcross, and Motorcycle racing

Prole Sports and the Middle Class There are several reasons why prole sports appeal to the middle class. 1. The machines and tools used in these sports are accessible and apart of the middle class lifestyle. 2. These sports are fast, dangerous, and can change in a matter of seconds 3. Easy to watch and take very little time to learn 4. Speed can be liberating 5. Sports challenge competitors physical prowess, knowledge of equipment, and manhood 6. Most sports are not related to school

Pseudosports Pseudosports are sports involve contrived and controlled compeititon Examples include: 1. Professional Wrestling 2. American Gladiators 3. Roller Jam

Pseudosports and Symbolism Pseudosports have a great deal of symbolism in them Pseudosports have a great deal of symbolism in them –always have a hero and a villain –The hero attempts to defeat the villain within the rules of competition –The villain always cheats »The fans base assumptions on what happens »Different behavior is reinforced depending on the outcomes of the match or event

Pseudosports and the Middle Class The reasons why pseudosports are more appealing to the middle/lower classes include: The reasons why pseudosports are more appealing to the middle/lower classes include: 1.They emphasize strength, power, and violence 2.Participants of all races, ethnic backgrounds and sizes make the people easy to identify with 3.Females are also playing more important roles in the show making them identifiable for the female fans 4.The general atmosphere of the event encourages the crowd to be involved by sign making, dressing up, or cheering and booing

Common Myths Sport leads to more college degrees Sport leads to more college degrees –Many barriers to graduation (time, energy,...) Sport provides free college education Sport provides free college education –Few receive full college scholarships Professional sport careers are possible Professional sport careers are possible –Few achieve professional sports career Sports provides a way out of poverty, especially for minorities Sports provides a way out of poverty, especially for minorities Women have many more opportunities because of Title IX Women have many more opportunities because of Title IX Professional careers provide security for life Professional careers provide security for life

Myth Busting: Myth : A Sport career is probable Fact: A recent survey by the Center for the Study of Sport In Society found that two-thirds of African American males between the ages of 13 and 18 believe that they can earn a living playing professional sports (more than double the proportion of young white males who hold such beliefs).

Myth Busting: Myth: A Sports career is probable Fact: 1 in 27 high school players in these sports will play at the college level, and only one in 736 high school players will play at the major professional level In baseball, each year about 120,000 players are eligible for the draft (high school seniors, college seniors, collegians over 21, junior college players, and foreign players). Only about 1,200 (1%) are actually drafted

Myth Busting: Myth: Sport Is a Way Out of Poverty Fact: Sociologist Jay Coakley puts best by saying: “My best guess is that less than 5,000 African Americans...are making their livings as professional athletes. At the same time, there are about 41,000 black physicians and about 47,000 black lawyers currently employed in the U.S. Therefore, there are 20 times more blacks working in these two professions than playing top level professional sports. And physicians and lawyers usually have lifetime earnings far in excess of the earnings of professional athletes, whose playing careers, on average, last less than five years.”

Myth Busting: Myth: Sports Provides Lifelong Security Myth: Sports Provides Lifelong Security Fact: A marginal athlete in individual sports such as golf, tennis, boxing, and bowling, struggle financially. They must cover their travel expenses, health insurance, equipment, and the like with no guaranteed paycheck. The brief career diverts them during their youth from developing other career skills and experiences that would benefit them.

Topical Review Definitions Definitions Social Class Differentiation Social Class Differentiation Youth Sport Participation Youth Sport Participation Spectator Preferences Spectator Preferences Upward Mobility Upward Mobility Myths about Sport Myths about Sport