Contemporary Issues in Sport
Deviance
Deviant behaviour is recognised violation of social norms, such as hooliganism, violence or
verbal abuse. For some people, sport can provide a potential solution, or at least a pathway.
Many sport development schemes have been used to try and help change negative
behaviour. Deviance can also be demonstrated in the desire to win or succeed at all costs.
Playing sport is a good way to distract and help with anti-crime initiatives. It helps people
understand discipline and rules, and may help build confidence and other social skills.
Development schemes have introduced an anti crime agenda which tries to distract young
players from crimes in deprived areas. It also tackles social exclusion as it successfully
draws people back to normal, healthy habits and gives them opportunities to improve their
lives.
Another type of deviance is taking drugs which enhances sporting performance. Many high
level athletes have been caught but there are many other players who just want to build
strength or body mass. It is unethical to use, it breaks the rules and code of conduct , could
affect your long term health and it costs policing it. It isn’t just drugs which are banned, some
supplements and medicines contain banned substances and this has caught out athletes
who have tested positive after taking medication. As an example, Olympic skier Alain Baxter
who claimed that a tiny trace of methamphetamine had originated from a Vicks inhaler. As
unfortunate as this is, it shows before you take anything medically to make sure it is
acceptable to take and then you wont be banned and disqualified for something which is
easy to avoid.
Gender Issues
Gender differences in sport have a long history where the male industry was dominant and
people would still argue that it is. Women have to fight to compete in many sports, men held
the opinion that women were too weak or frail to compete in men’s sport. The Victorians saw
women as objects of beauty that should stay at home and look after the children.
Participation rates in sport among women and girls are much lower than males however, the
influence of the women’s world cup has increased the participation in football for women and
girls. The difference in pay between males and females is an imbalance currently in football
as more male games are televised whereas females rarely get broadcasted. This is due to a
lack of funding, the lack of interest as there are fewer role models to look up to.
Racism
Racism is holding biased or unfair views about other nationalities or ethnically different
people, and treating them as inferior. Unfortunately racism is in the game and ruins the
game as a whole. The Let’s Kick Racism Out Of Football was established in 1993 and it
aims to work through educational and communal organizations to educate and inform the
future stars of why racism is no different on the pitch than off the pitch. It is supported by The
Premier League, UEFA and FIFA. In 2003 the FA promised to access the way they handle
racism following a BBC five live report. Racism and racially aggravated crime has risen by
20% in the past two years. Kick it out has been supplying t-shirts for players and managers
to wear during training sessions. However, some black players such as Rio Ferdinand
refused to wear the shirt as it can be seen as a dig at racism. In conclusion, racism will 6
continue to be discussed all around the world. But in football, it is clearly evident that more
Deviance
Deviant behaviour is recognised violation of social norms, such as hooliganism, violence or
verbal abuse. For some people, sport can provide a potential solution, or at least a pathway.
Many sport development schemes have been used to try and help change negative
behaviour. Deviance can also be demonstrated in the desire to win or succeed at all costs.
Playing sport is a good way to distract and help with anti-crime initiatives. It helps people
understand discipline and rules, and may help build confidence and other social skills.
Development schemes have introduced an anti crime agenda which tries to distract young
players from crimes in deprived areas. It also tackles social exclusion as it successfully
draws people back to normal, healthy habits and gives them opportunities to improve their
lives.
Another type of deviance is taking drugs which enhances sporting performance. Many high
level athletes have been caught but there are many other players who just want to build
strength or body mass. It is unethical to use, it breaks the rules and code of conduct , could
affect your long term health and it costs policing it. It isn’t just drugs which are banned, some
supplements and medicines contain banned substances and this has caught out athletes
who have tested positive after taking medication. As an example, Olympic skier Alain Baxter
who claimed that a tiny trace of methamphetamine had originated from a Vicks inhaler. As
unfortunate as this is, it shows before you take anything medically to make sure it is
acceptable to take and then you wont be banned and disqualified for something which is
easy to avoid.
Gender Issues
Gender differences in sport have a long history where the male industry was dominant and
people would still argue that it is. Women have to fight to compete in many sports, men held
the opinion that women were too weak or frail to compete in men’s sport. The Victorians saw
women as objects of beauty that should stay at home and look after the children.
Participation rates in sport among women and girls are much lower than males however, the
influence of the women’s world cup has increased the participation in football for women and
girls. The difference in pay between males and females is an imbalance currently in football
as more male games are televised whereas females rarely get broadcasted. This is due to a
lack of funding, the lack of interest as there are fewer role models to look up to.
Racism
Racism is holding biased or unfair views about other nationalities or ethnically different
people, and treating them as inferior. Unfortunately racism is in the game and ruins the
game as a whole. The Let’s Kick Racism Out Of Football was established in 1993 and it
aims to work through educational and communal organizations to educate and inform the
future stars of why racism is no different on the pitch than off the pitch. It is supported by The
Premier League, UEFA and FIFA. In 2003 the FA promised to access the way they handle
racism following a BBC five live report. Racism and racially aggravated crime has risen by
20% in the past two years. Kick it out has been supplying t-shirts for players and managers
to wear during training sessions. However, some black players such as Rio Ferdinand
refused to wear the shirt as it can be seen as a dig at racism. In conclusion, racism will 6
continue to be discussed all around the world. But in football, it is clearly evident that more
