In this modern era, the twenty first century, one would assume that something as popular and enjoyable as sport would cater for individuals of all backgrounds and cultures regardless of their circumstances. Sport is difficult to define regarding sociological aspects. It is classed as a specific type of physical activity which should be accessible to everyone. However, this is not the case. It is well established that communities worldwide are suffering from an inadequacy of sporting opportunities due to numerous reasons including racism, ethnicity, ability or disability, sexuality, culture, and gender. This paper examines why sport is more exclusive than inclusive. It concentrates on three central social categories which are gender, race,
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Women’s participation in sport has been limited for centuries for various reasons. Women who chose to be athletic were often criticised or had negative stigmas attached to them. Consequently these stigmas were used to control and prevent females from participating in any sporting activity (Chinurum et al., 2014). Sport was male dominated back in the eighteenth century and still is today. From a young age men and women are educated to behave in a certain manner that is deemed acceptable in society. In a sporting context men were taught to play sport by their families or friends, while, women primarily were taught that sport was only for men (Trolan, 2013). The history of sport shows strong evidence that women have fought for equal rights and equal access to various sports and sporting organisations on a continuous basis (Hovden & Pfister, 2006). According to Chinurum et al (2014) it was not until the mid-nineteenth century that women began to accompany their male partners or relatives to certain sporting events and also began to engage in some mild exercise such as dancing and ice-skating. Sports which were considered non-physical and less strenuous such as golf and archery were among the first sports which women could become involved in. Unfortunately for women, sports that incorporated perspiring, physical contact and competition were not viewed as “ladylike” behaviours so as a result women’s recreational activities were limited. Nowadays media coverage has a significant influence on gender inequality and in this instance, particularly the sports media. They play a central role in formulating gender inequality and sustaining ideologies of sex and gender differences (Speer, 2001). Pedersen et al (2003) states that the media is influential in generating gender values. On a daily basis it is evident that the media plays a significant role in
Women’s participation in sport has been limited for centuries for various reasons. Women who chose to be athletic were often criticised or had negative stigmas attached to them. Consequently these stigmas were used to control and prevent females from participating in any sporting activity (Chinurum et al., 2014). Sport was male dominated back in the eighteenth century and still is today. From a young age men and women are educated to behave in a certain manner that is deemed acceptable in society. In a sporting context men were taught to play sport by their families or friends, while, women primarily were taught that sport was only for men (Trolan, 2013). The history of sport shows strong evidence that women have fought for equal rights and equal access to various sports and sporting organisations on a continuous basis (Hovden & Pfister, 2006). According to Chinurum et al (2014) it was not until the mid-nineteenth century that women began to accompany their male partners or relatives to certain sporting events and also began to engage in some mild exercise such as dancing and ice-skating. Sports which were considered non-physical and less strenuous such as golf and archery were among the first sports which women could become involved in. Unfortunately for women, sports that incorporated perspiring, physical contact and competition were not viewed as “ladylike” behaviours so as a result women’s recreational activities were limited. Nowadays media coverage has a significant influence on gender inequality and in this instance, particularly the sports media. They play a central role in formulating gender inequality and sustaining ideologies of sex and gender differences (Speer, 2001). Pedersen et al (2003) states that the media is influential in generating gender values. On a daily basis it is evident that the media plays a significant role in