SOCIAL GROUPS THAT INFLUENCE PARTICIPATION

By the end of the lesson...◦You should be aware of the different

social groupings that exist ◦You should be able to explain how these

social groupings can influence levels and types of participation

Which social groups can influence your participation in sport?

1. Peers (friends)2. Family3. Gender4. Ethnicity

Teachers Professional performers (role models)

Peers

Peer pressure – where the peer group will attempt to persuade an individual to follow their lead

People of the same age and status as you

Effect of family and peers How might (a) your family, and (b) your peers, effect upon your

participation in physical activity both positively and negatively

Social group

Positive effect Negative effect

Family

PeersIf your peers are actively involved in sport and physical activity, this is likely to have a positive effect, as you will want to join in with them

If your peer group are not in favour of regular physical activity, and/or have a negative view of PE, it is like to have a negative effect as they are likely to go along with their peers

May be a role model as children want to following their parents sporting traditionCould provide financial support by paying for coaching, kit and equipmentCould provide transport Watch and support you play

Family members may not be prepared or able to provide the supportThey may have had negative experiences of sport that have put them off physical activity May put pressure on children to focus on academic work

Gender

Now more opportunities for women to access as many sports as men do

More women becoming officials and coaches

Richard Keys and Andy Gray Sky Sports

Assistant referee Massey had just angered Wolves fans by not giving Raul Meireles offside as he set up Liverpool's first goal - a decision that replays subsequently showed was correct.

Keys: ‘Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.’

Gray: ‘Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.’

Keys : ‘Course they don’t. I can guarantee you there will be a big one today. Kenny [Dalglish] will go potty. This is not the first time, is it? Didn’t we have one before? Wendy Toms?’

Gray: ‘Yeah. Yeah she was f****** hopeless as well.’

Keys: ‘The game’s gone mad!’

“I know a lot of women and they’re not consistent from hour to hour. Footballers want the rules to be applied consistently and this wouldn’t happen with women refs.”

“It’s hard enough for male refs to earn respect from players. With a woman in charge, players will be thinking: 'You know nothing about football”

“Also, let’s face it, women have periods and we all know how hormones affect them. Would women refs be banned during their 'time of the month’ because they might be more emotional, depressed or aggressive?”

Ricky Groves, ex-Arsenal midfielder and regular pundit on Radio Five Live

Gender inequality

Holders of the Ashes

World Cup Winners

Twenty20 World Cup Winners

Gender inequality Lower pay for elite female performers, e.g. Tournament winnings

Sport traditionally male dominated and women were viewed as the ‘weaker sex’◦ Women not allowed to run 800m in Olympics until 1960, 1500m

in 1972, 10,000m in 1988

Lower female participation in some religious group due to religious guidelines

Has been (and still is to a lesser extent) a lack of female sports clubs, particularly in traditionally ‘male’ sports, due to lack of coaches and facilities

Lower profile in media = less sponsorship = less money into grassroots◦ One of the arguments put forward for the lack of interest in women’s sport is the

low standard.

Few female sporting role models (performers, coaches, media)◦ Sports Personality of the Year – less than 25% of winners have been women

Gender inequality

Male-dominated culture - Some women/girls are turned off ‘sport’ because they see it is just not seen as feminine or ‘girly’

Increasing pressure to been considered attractive to be a successful sportswoman and to get media interest.

◦ Increasing number of women posing for magazines / wearing revealing clothing

◦ Wimbledon admitted to putting more ‘attractive’ women on Centre Court and Court 1 to appeal to the crowds.

◦ In beach volleyball regulations state that women’s bikinis must be 7 cm across the hip. In contrast, men’s shorts must be 10cm above the knee.

EthnicityPossible ethnicity factors that could

influence participation in sport may include:

Dress codes – for example, not allowing women to wear certain items of sports kit could affect the safety of the activity

Codes of behaviour such as single sex rules regarding mixing with others may prevent participation. E.g. Muslim women are not always permitted to take part in mixed sex sporting activities

Some cultures see a woman’s role as in the home which limits their amount of leisure time

Ethnicity

Specimen paperFriends of a similar age and background are

known as:a) Peer groupb) Pressure groupc) Pair groupd) Support group

(1 mark)

2011Name two social groups and explain how they may have influenced Rachel’s decision to participate in football, swimming and cross country.

(4 marks)