Sociology of Sport

D. Stanley Eitzen was Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Colorado State University.George H. Sage was Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Kinesiology at University of Northern Colorado.Becky Beal is Professor of Kinesiology at California State University-East Bay. Matthew Atencio is Professor of Kinesiology at California State University-East Bay and Co-Director of the Center for Sport and Social Justice.

• PrefacePart I. TOWARD AN UNDERSTANDING OF SPORT1. The Sociological Analysis of Sport in American Society An Overview of Sociology of Sport as a Field of Study The Pervasiveness of Sport The Discipline of Sociology Assumptions of the Sociological Perspective Thinking as a Sociologist: Sociological Imagination Units of Sociological Analysis The Micro Level The Macro Level Micro and Macro Levels and This BookSociological Theories: Contrasting Ways to See and Understand Social Life Functionalism Conflict Theory Conflict/Cultural Social Theories Sociological Theories and Sociology of Sport: Our Position Key Topics in the Study of Sport and Society Summary Notes2. Social and Cultural Transformations and the Rise of Sport in the United States Pre-Columbian and Colonial Traditions in the United States The Colonists Restrict Physical Activities Early Nineteenth Century: Takeoff of Industrialization, Technology, and Organized Sport Building a Framework for Organized Sport The Technological Revolution and Sport Latter Nineteenth Century: The Beginnings of Modern Sport Urbanization and the Rise of Modern Sport Forms Technological Innovation and Sport: Transportation Technological Innovation and Sport: Communication Technological Innovation and Equipment to Play Modern Sports Other Technological Breakthroughs and Sport The Cult of Manliness and Sport Muscular Christianity and Intellectuals Social Philosophy and Organized Sport Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries: The Modern World and Sport The Maturing of Modern Sport Twentieth-Century Technology and Sport: Transportation The Technological Revolution and Sport: Communication Other Technological Innovations and Sport Sport in Education Summary Notes 3. Sport and American Culture and Values Culture, Values, and Social Theories Sport as a Microcosm of Cultural Values The American Value System Individual Striving for Success and Competition in Sport The Socially Valued Means to Achieve in Sport Progress Overcomes the Status Quo in Sport Materialism: Acquisitions and Consumption in Sport Social Conformity in Sport American Values; Sport, Character, and Athletic Bodies American Values: Sport and Technology Summary Notes 4. Social Problems and U.S. Sport: Violence,Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Overview of Social Problems in U.S. Sport Social Theories and Social Problems Eamples of Recent Social Problems in Sport Violence in American Society Violence in Historical Contet Contemporary Violence in the United StatesViolence in Sport: Terminology, TheoriesIs It Violence or Aggression Confusion in the Literature Theories About the Connection Between Aggressive Behavior and Sport Aggression Theories and Research on Sports Violence in Sport Violence as Part of U.S. Sports Fostering and Supporting Player Violence Violent Behavior of Coaches and AdministrationViolent Behavior of Athletes in Their Personal Lives Sources for Violence by Male Athletes in Their Private Lives Athletes' Violence Against Teammates: Hazing Sports Fans: Violent and Abusive Actions Factors Associated with Fan Violence Game and Postgame Violence Reducing Fan Violence and Abusive Behavior Substance Abuse and Sport Substance Abuse Not New to Sports The Scope of Current Substance Abuse in Sport Anabolic Steroids: Promises Big and Strong Social/Cultural Influences and Substance Abuse Among Athletes Can Substance Abuse in Sports Be Reduced, Even PreventedSport and Mental Health Issues Summary Notes Part II. SPORT AND STRUCTURED INEQUALITY IN SOCIETY 5. Sport, Social Stratification, and Social Mobility Terminology and Theory in Social Stratification and Mobility Basic Terminology in Social Stratification Dimensions of Inequality Social Class and Sport Adult Participation Preferences for Sports by Socioeconomic Status Youth Sport Participation by Socioeconomic Status Spectator Preferences for Sports by Socioeconomic Status Segregation in Sports by Social Class Social Mobility and the United States and Canada Sport as a Mobility Escalator Demytholoizing the Social Mobility-Through-Sport Hypothesis Summary Notes 6. Racial-Ethnic Minorities and Sport Racial-Ethnic Minorities: Social Theories and Relevant Concepts Social Theories and Race and Minorities Relevant Concepts About Race Sports Participation Among Racial-Ethnic Minorities The History of African American Involvement in U.S. Sport Latino/a Involvement in U.S. Sport Asian American Involvement in U.S. Sport Native American Involvement in Sport The Effects of Globalization on Ethnic Diversity in American Sport African American Dominance in Sport Race-Linked Physical Differences Race-Linked Cultural Differences Social Structure Constraints Racial Discrimination in Sport Stacking Leadership, Administration, and Authority Summary Notes 7. Gender in U.S. Sport: Continuity and Change Social Theories and Gender Relations Constructing and Reproducing Gender Relations Through Sport The Heritage of Gender Inequality in Sport Social Sources of Gender Inequality in Sport Parental Childrearing Practices and Gender Construction The School and Gender Construction The Mass Media and Gender Construction Nicknames, Mascots, and Heroines Females Surmount Social Barriers to Participation in Sport Negative Myths Women's Struggle for Opportunity and Equality in Sport From Boys-Only Youth Sports to Opportunities for Both Sees Title I: Federal Government Support for Gender Equity Toward Gender Equity in High School Sports Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Sports Men Rule in the Coaching and Administration of Women's Sports High School and College Women's Coaching Positions High School and College Administrative/Management Positions Ownership, Management, and Coaching in Professional and Olympic Sports Coaching and Administration/Management in U.S. Olympic Organizations Reasons for the Persistence of Men in Coaching and Administering Women's Sports Women Athletes' Careers at the Professional and Olympic Levels of Sport Female Olympic Athletes Gender Equality in Sport Sport, Gender Identity, and Seual Orientation Summary Notes Part III. FROM ORGANIZED SPORT TO CORPORATE SPORT: YOUTH TO COLLEGE SPORT 8. Youth and Sport Youth Sports Programs: Something for Everyone Social Theories and Youth Sports The Rise of Youth Sports Programs: The Takeoff and Epansion of a New Form of Sport Objectives of Youth Sports Programs What Do Young Athletes, Their Parents, and Coaches Want from Sports Socialization and Sport: Involvement in Sport and Its Consequences Socialization into Sport: Why Do Children Become Involved in Organized Sports Families Parents Siblings Peers Coaches Schools Mass Media Participants: Youth Athletes Socialization via Sport: Process and Outcomes Two Forms of Play: Peer Group and Adult Organized Development of Personal-Social Attributes Through Sport Youth Orientation Toward Sport Sportsmanship in Youth Sports Character Development in Youth Sports Potential Psychosocial Problems in Youth Sports Adult Intrusion in Youth Sports Disruption of Education Risk of Injury The "Winning Is the Only-Thing" Ethic and Youth Sports Emphasizing Personal Growth and Self-Actualization Lifestyle and Action Sports Youth Sports Coaches Bill of Rights for Young Athletes Youth Sport and the COVID-19 PandemicSummary Notes 9. Interscholastic Sports Social Theories and Interscholastic Sports The Status of Sport in Secondary Schools The Consequences of Sport for Schools, Communities, and Individuals The Consequences of Sport for the High School The Consequences of Sport for the Community The Consequences of Sport for Participants Problems, Dilemmas, and Controversies The Subversion of Educational Goals Reproduction of Social Class and White PrivilegeThe Reinforcement of Gender Inequities Cheating Unsportsmanlike Behavior of Fans Autocratic Coaches Ecessive Pressures to Win Elitism Sport Specialization Economic Class Divisions and Budget Shortfalls Corporate High School Sport Programs Efforts to Reform High School Sports Summary Notes 10. Intercollegiate Sport Beginning and Development of College Sports Student-Centered College Sport Remains College Sport as Big Business Social Theories and Their Role in Colleges and Universities Functionalism and Big-Time College Sports Conflict/Culturalism and Big-Time College Sports Beliefs and Reality About Big-Time Sport Functions Further Consequences of the Commercial Orientation of Big-Time College Sports A Contradiction: Athletes as Amateurs in a Big-Business Environment The NCAA and Student-Athletes The Enforcement of "Amateurism" Pressure to Shift the Legal Parameters of Amateurism in Collegiate SportThe Restriction of Athletes' Rights Educational Performance and Student-Athletes Academic Predictions for Student-Athletes at College Academic Achievement and College Athletes Graduation Rates and Student-Athletes The Impediments to Scholarly Achievement by College Athletes Reform Initiatives and Intercollegiate Sports The Administration of Intercollegiate Sports Emphasizing the Education of Student-Athletes Commitment to Athletes' Rights Summary Notes Part IV. SPORT AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS 11. Sport and the Economy Professional Sport as a Business Social Theories and the Economy Professional Team Sports as Monopolies Public Subsidization of Professional Team Franchises Ownership for Profit A Radical Question: Are Owners Necessary Who Benefits Economically from Sports Professional Athletes' Earnings Auiliary Professions and Occupations in Sport Sport-Related Businesses Corporate Advertising in Sport The Relationship Between Owners and Athletes The Draft and the Reserve Clause Professional Team Sport Athletes Fight for Free Agency Amateur Sport as a Business The Ambiguous Case: Intercollegiate Sports and Amateurism The Economics of Collegiate Sport Gambling and Sport Issues About Sports Betting in the United States Sports Gambling and College Students Summary Notes 12. Sport and the Mass Media Social Roles of the Mass Media Prominent and Subtle Roles of the Media Mass Media and Social Theories The Symbiosis of Mass Media and Sport Enduring Linkages Between the Mass Media and Sport Television: The Monster of the Sports World Increasing TV Sports Coverage Economic Aspects of Televised Sports Television's Influence on Sport Increases in Sport Revenue Television Drives Shifts in Popularity of Sports Professional Sports Franchise Locations and the Media Television: The Financial Foundation for Big-Time Intercollegiate Sport Television Taps High School Sports Modifying Sports to Accommodate TV Television's Own Sports Televised Sport as a Socially Mediated Event The Impact of Sport on the Mass Media Increased Sport in the Media Sport's Privileged Treatment by the Media Sports Consumers and the Mass Media The Internet: An Essential Form of Mass Communications for Sports Integration of the Internet, Television, Computers, and Video Games Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter Media Sport: Gender, Race, and Disabilities Issues Reproduction of Hegemonic Masculinity in Media Sport Media Sport and Gender Inequities Media Sport and Racial and Ethnic Inequities Media Sport and Disabilities Inequities Sports Journalism and the Mass Media Sportscasters: Narrators of Mediated Sport Minority Sport Journalists and Broadcasters Women Sport Journalists and Broadcasters Summary Notes 13. Sport and Politics Politics as a Social Institution Social Theories and Politics Intertwining of Politics and Sports The Political Uses of Sport Sport as a Vehicle for Propaganda Sport and Nationalism Sport as an Opiate of the Masses The Eploitation of Sport by Politicians Sport as a Vehicle of Change in Society Internationalization of Social Activism and SportGlobalization and Sport The Political Olympic Games Political Problems and the Olympic Movement Proposals for Reforming the Olympic Games Summary Notes 14. Sport and Religion The Relationship Between Religion and Society Personal and Social Roles of Religion Historical Affiliation Between Religion and Sport Ancient Greece: Creators of Organized Sports Events The Early Christian Church and Roman Sport Spectacles Pre-Columbian Societies: Sport in the Americas Reformation and Protestantism in the North American Colonies Religious Objections to Sport Declined in the Nineteenth Century Religion and Sport Conciliation Sport as Religion Similarities Between Sport and Religion Critical Views About Sport as Religion Religion Uses Sport Churches Religious Leaders Embrace Sport Church Colleges and Universities Religious Organizations and Sports The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Religion and Professional Sports Organizations Sport and Religion Publications Missionary Work of Churches and Sport Religious Evangelizing by Athletes and Coaches The Promise Keepers: Patriarchy, Gender, and Seuality Sportianity Confronting Social Issues Value Orientations of Religion and Sport The Protestant Ethic and Sports Protestantism and Contemporary Sport Sport Uses Religion The Use of Prayer and Divine Intervention The Use of Magic Magic and Its Uses in Sports Summary Notes Part V. SPORT, FUTURE TRENDS, AND SUSTAINABILITY 15. Future Trends: The Sustainability of Sport in the United States Key Social Factors that Drive Social ChangeThe Economy, Technology, and Labor: The Information SocietyAn Information SocietyInformation Society and Fletime: Hopes and Realities of Increased LeisureTechnologyDemographic Shifts: Diverse and Aging Populations and Location Population Composition Locations Future Trends and Sports Professional SportsEsports and Video Games Future of Mediated sport: Television and the Internet Adventure and Lifestyle SportsSports immersed in Outdoor/Nature SpacesAction and Lifestyle Sports Trends in Sustainability: Social Values and Future Sport Organizational Trends in Sport Neoliberalism Sport For Development and Peace ProgramsYouth and High School sportsIntercollegiate SportsProfessional Teams and LeaguesInclusion Trends in Sport People with DisabilitiesOlder AdultsLGBTQEnvironmental Sustainability in Future SportsSummary Notes Index

I adopted this text because it is balanced. It encompasses all important topics to those interested in the role of sport in society. It is both readable and academically appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate classes. I will adopt it until I retire.