Sociology 2016

Today

• A few 'things'
• Social class & sport in NZ
• Assignment 2

Social differentiation

SOCIAL DIFFERENTIATION is the distinction made between groups of people in society based on biological and socio-cultural factors

What are some of the key differentiators we use to group people in society?

Social stratificaiton

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION is when society separates out these groups and ranks them in order dependant on the value they are perceived to hold

Examples of Social Stratification

• Women beneath men
• Upper class above lower class
• White above brown
• Disabled below abled

A QUICK LOOK AT ASSIGNMENT TWO

Egalitarianism

A belief in a society in which all people are equal & therefore deserve equal opportunities, should share equal status and deserve the same life chances

NZ Society - How egalitarian are we?

http://thewireless.co.nz/themes/value/egali-what-getting-a-fair-go-in-new-z...

So what does all of this have to do with SPORT?

Sport is often described as society's true equalizer - do you agree or disagree?

Social Class

SOCIAL CLASS refers to categories of people who share an economic position in society based on income, wealth, education, occupation and social connections

How does Social Class affect

• who and how we play sport?
• what sports we get to play?
• how we watch sport (and what we get to watch)?
• Who holds power in controlling and organising sport?

People like to think that sports transcend issues of money, power and economic inequalities - however all sports depend on material resources and those resources must come from somewhere.

Sport New Zealand (2011). Study of socioeconomic link to participation in sport which surveyed 17,000 young New Zealanders (5 to 18 years old).

Both low, medium and high decile students spent a similar amount of time on sport (boys higher overall)

HOWEVER....

Boys & girls from high decile schools were significantly more likely to receive coaching and instruction

Girls and boys from lower decile schools were significantly less likely to belong to a sports club

Boys and girls from lower decile schools had the lowest confidence in their sporting abilities (a vital concept in maintaining a love of sport)

Boys who attend low decile schools were more likely to have teachers encourage them to do sport things, drive them to sport and tell them they are doing well in sport

Girls who attend low decile schools were significantly more likely to say they do not have places to walk in their neighbourhood available

Rugby, rugby league, netball, Maori activities, touch were of higher interest to students in lower decile schools

Horse-riding, tennis, cricket, skiing, rowing and golf had higher participation rates in high decile schools

Herald investigation into 1A boys rugby

• Growing financial divide between schools
• Poaching
• Auck Gram, Kings, MAGs, St Kent & Sacred Heart (5)- collectively spend over $400,000
• The other 7 spend collectively spend $50,000

“I found out that physicality was an underpinning idea which was linked to colonial history in general. The dominant opinion was that the Brits had the brains and Māori the brawn, and so historically colonialism has attempted, at least, to limit Māori to certain roles based on their ‘natural’, that is stereotypical, propensities.” Hokowhitu (2004)

Hokowhitu (2004) argues that

• NZ education system is racist - trys to channel too many Maori into sport as a viable career option
• Believes this reinforces the stereotype of brawn over brains

A long way to the top (estimates)

• Boys who make NZSS have 60% chance of making ITM
• Of that 60% its estimated 33% will get a Super contract
• League - 75% youth players wont go any further in the NRL
• Average career length of NRL career is 43 games and the average salary in that period is around $100,000.

Compare that with SportNZ staff. In 2008 the average elite athletes wage ($49,000). Of SportNZ 94 staff, 38 are on six-figure salaries, with chief executive Peter Miskimmin earning $340,000 to $350,000

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

Meritocracy

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

Meritocracy and Sport

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

"Here’s the problem with “meritocracy.” You can’t have the “excellent” and the “above average” unless you have the “average” and the “below average.” Anyone can make it, but everybody can’t. Most children born into poverty will live in poverty; most people born rich will remain rich. Human beings react with stunning consistency to consistent circumstances" Olmsted (2011)

OK....So it's not equal but is it fair ? AND is 'equal treatment' always fair?

Equality vs Equity

Untitled Slide