1. Sport as Social Institution

2. Sport
refers to competitive games that are won or lost on the basis of physical skills and are played according to specific rules

3. History
Sports started out as part of religious festivals (ancient Olympics)
With Industrialization, secularization occurred in society and sports became separate from religion, and developed into a social institution
Today, there is a high degree of specialization in sports. (ex: most football players specialize in one position)

4. FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE ON SPORTS
Sports serves the function of:
social integration provides common interests and unites people across racial, ethnic, and class distinctions
reinforcing social norms and values sports teach people to value hard work, teamwork, and obedience to authority

5. CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE ON SPORTS
Sports maintain social inequality by:
distracting people from their problems
legitimizing violence
justifying the unequal distribution of wealth

6. ISSUES in AMERICAN SPORTS
Stacking – assigning people to athletic positions based on race
Women’s Athletics – Title IX has lessened the participation gap for female and male athletics in college