Sociology 2016

Last time

• Social differentiation/Social stratification
• Egalitarianism
• Social class
• Meritocracy

Why do we need to be careful with social differentiation data- studying by 'groups' or categories?

Pasifika
Intersectionality (overlapping identities)

Meritocracy

MERITOCRACY is an ideology which supports the belief that people are ranked in society according to their individual merit ie. If they are in leadership they have worked hard to get there and deserve it.

Meritocracy assumes that the race to the top is equal, that we all have the ability to reach the top through hard work and determination and therefore those who make it are the 'best' people for the role

Meritocracy

• legitimises economic inequalities
• celebrates the 'underdog'
• rewards 'ability' with power

Meritocracy and Sport

Sport examples

• The top teams will have the best players
• Competition is fair because it is equal - ie. Olympics
• Funding should be based on performance

BUT - What are the shortcomings of an approach underpinned by MERITOCRACY?

Shortcomings of Meritocracy

• Fails to acknowledge privilege
• Does not properly account for inequality at the outset
• Fails to acknowledge the advantage of Social Capital
• Stereotypes lower socio-economic groups as lazy

ACTIVITY: You all represent NZ's population. Everyone in the country has a chance to become successful in sport and move up into the elite arena. All you must do is successfully land you paper into the hoop

Who were the people who complained about fairness? Why dont people in the front row speak up about fairness? Did the front row even look back at the back row (weren't aware of the privilege they were born into) - all they can see is 1m between them and the goal.

Acknowledging privilege is not about shaming. Everyone has privilege. Be aware of your privilege, try and advocate for those people in the rows behind you.

Often we think of privilege as “special advantages.” We frequently hear the phrase, “X is a privilege, not a right,” conveying the idea that X is something special that shouldn’t be expected.

Because of the way we use “privilege” in our day-to-day lives, people often get upset when others point out some of their privileges.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5f8GuNuGQ

Class Activity

OK....So it's not equal but is it fair ? Are we OK with how things are in Sport, AND is 'equal treatment' always fair anyway?

Equality vs Equity

Equity, involves trying to understand and give people what they need to enjoy full, healthy lives. Equality, in contrast, aims to ensure that everyone gets the same things in order to enjoy full, healthy lives. Like equity, equality aims to promote fairness and justice, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same thingsClick to add some text.

Equal inputs (equality) vs Equal outcomes (equity)

It doesn't matter who has more shoe- It matters that we all have the right shoes for us

Untitled Slide

Social Class, Sport & our 'things'

• Read your article
• Summarise the issue
• Explain how it links to social class topic applying at least 2 sociological concepts

How could we improve social class equity in Sport?
(Think about the Sport NZ data we looked at last time)