Sociological Theory in Sports Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Sociological Theory in Sports - Coursework Example Skinner, Zakus & Edwards (2005) posit that sociology theory may contribute to the discussion regarding the development of sport management practices and policies.   This essay aims to analyze the significance of sociology theory to sports management by studying modern sports issues.This paper is concerned with how sports play a role in fostering social inclusion to aid in social inclusion and community development. According to Coalter (2007), there have been two sports policies brought up: to increase social and sports participation trough geographically targeted programs in socially deprived locations and to emphasize the contribution that sports volunteering can make to activate citizenship.Relatively, sports sociology is still a new term. Chalip, Thomas & Voyle (1996) defines it as the study of â€Å"the sportsperson as a sociological being in a particular context† Giddens (1997). He also postulates that it includes the study of contemporary social models which influence sport, specifically those that have lasted. They also believe that sports sociology is morally bound to consider the process and results of inequality and ignorance that exist in sport. Sociology also allows the range of common beliefs practices and attitudes to be reviewed and analyzed with the sole purpose of giving the best quality of sporting experience to shareholders. Chalip, Thomas & Voyle (1996) discuss the value of the sociological theory relation in four areas: as a stimulus for new ideas, the ability to clarify or to destroy myths surrounding sports, theoretical or hypothesis testing in sports research, and allowing the explanation and generalization of the sport.In the past decade, sport and recreational policy makers have had to adjust globalization and neoliberal processes since they affect social, economic and state activities, including those of social and community development. The governments' methods to shift from support and financial provision for sport and oth er embedded liberalism provisions to modern neoliberal state ones resulted in significant changes Coalter (2007). In the â€Å"neo-liberal† state private-public partnerships, tax advantages for corporate social duty, and the reduction of social solidarity are key aspects of the new institutional frameworks.  According to Thompson (2004), this implies that development and community level sport should operate under market conditions and frameworks inherent in neoliberalism and globalism. This means that sport should fulfill two roles: traditional sport development system for society and elite sport programs; as a function of legislation, programs, policies, funding, and sports management, secondly, where a sport is employed as a platform to deal with issues in the society and offer opportunities for disadvantaged members of the society. Research proves that one of the biggest challenges facing the disadvantaged is to find a community which they can identify with and belong un der declining social program provision and persistent breakdown of social solidarity (Atherley, 2006).Long term reliability and sustainability in delivering social outcomes is essential to the success of these developments through sport participation programs. Modern society demands additional flexibility and choice. The challenge for the traditional sports sector in most places is to move beyond current sport delivery norms and provide a range of products at low cost locally developed opportunities and extended public, private and third sector social capital programs. According to Giddens (1997), there is always a risk relying on these predominantly volunteer organizations to determine social outcomes.In such as the United Kingdom, there is an opportunity for the organizations to establish long term programs to support the use of sport to engage the community to deliver positive social outcomes. Partnerships between the traditional sports organization and the community-based organi zations could be forged to support participation in sports across the time from outreach to mainstream participation (Atherley, 2006).