1. The Sociology of Sports: What Is It and Why Study It?
   About This Book
   About This Chapter
   What Is the Sociology of Sport?
   Why Study Sports as Social Phenomena?
   What Is the Current Status of the Sociology of Sport?
   What Are Sports?
   Summary: Why Study Sports?
2. Using Social Theories: What Can They Tell Us About Sports in Society?
   What are Theories and Why Do We Need Them?
   Theories Used to Study Sports in Society
   Functionalist Theory: What Do Sports Contribute to Society?
   Conflict Theory: Are Sports All About Money and Economic Power?
   Interactionist Theory: How Do People Experience Sports?
   Critical Theories: How are Sports Involved in Creating and Changing Social Relations?
   Figurational Theory: Understanding Sports in Terms of Historical and Global Processes
   Is There a Best Theoretical Approach to Use When Studying Sports?
   Summary
3. A Look at the Past: Does It Help Us Understand Sports Today?
   Understanding History While Studying Sports in Society
   Sports Vary by Time and Place
   Games in Ancient Greece: Beyond the Myths (1000 BC to 100 BC)
   Roman Contests and Games: Spectacles and Gladiators (100 BC to 500 AD)
   Tournaments and Games in Medieval Europe: Separation of the Masters and the Masses (500 to 1300)
   The Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment: Games as Diversions (1300 to 1800)
   The Industrial Revolution: The Emergence of Organized Competitive Sports (1780 to the Present)
   Summary: Can we Use History to Understand Sports Today?
4. Sports and Socialization: Who Plays and What Happens to Them?
   What is Socialization?
   Becoming Involved and Staying Involved in Sports
   Changing or Ending Sport Participation
   Being Involved in Sports: What Happens?
   New Approaches to Sports and Socialization
   What Socialization Research Doesn’t Tell Us
   Summary: Who Plays and What Happens?
5. Sports and Children: Are Organized Programs Worth the Effort?
   Origin and Development of Organized Youth Sports
   Major Trends in Youth Sports Today
   Different Experiences: Informal, Player-Controlled Sports Versus Organized, Adult-Controlled Sports
   Sociological Questions About Youth Sports
   Recommendations for Changing Children’s Sports
   Prospects for Change
   Summary: Are Organized Youth Sport Programs Worth the Effort?
6. Deviance in Sports: Is It Out of Control?
   Problems Faced When Studying Deviance in Sports
   Defining and Studying Deviance in Sports: Three Approaches
   Research on Deviance Among Athletes
   Performance-Enhancing Substances: A Study of Over Conformity in Sports
   Summary: Is Deviance in Sports Out of Control?
7. Violence in Sports: How Does It Impact Our Lives?
   What Is Violence?
   Violence in Sports Through History
   Violence on the Field
   Violence Off the Field
   Violence Among Spectators
   Summary: Does Violence in Sports Affect Our Lives?
8. Gender and Sports: Does Equity Require Ideological Changes?
   Participation and Equity Issues
   Achieving Equity and Fairness
   Ideological and Cultural Issues
   Summary: Does Equity Require Ideological Changes?
9. Race and Ethnicity: Are They Important in Sports?
   Defining Race and Ethnicity
   Racial Classification Systems and the Use of Race Logic in Sports
   Sport Participation Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the U.S.
   The Dynamics of Racial and Ethnic Relations in Sports
   Summary: Are Race and Ethnicity Important in Sports?
10. Social Class: Do Money and Power Matter in Sports?
    Social Class and Class Relations
    Sports and Economic Inequality
    Social Class and Sport Participation Patterns
    Economic and Career Opportunities in Sports
    Summary: Do Money and Power Matter in Sports?
11. Sports and the Economy: What Are the Characteristics of Commercial Sports?
    The Emergence and Growth of Commercial Sports
    Commercialization and Changes in Sports
    Owners, Sponsors, and Promoters in Commercial Sports
    The Legal Status and Incomes of Athletes in Commercial Sports
    Summary: What are the Characteristics of Commercial Sports?
12. Sports and the Media: Could They Survive Without Each Other?
    Characteristics of the Media
    Sports and the Media: A Two-Way Relationship
    Images and Messages in Media Sports
    The Profession of Sports Journalism
    Summary: Could Sports and the Media Survive Without Each Other?
13. Sports and Politics: How Do Governments and Globalization Influence Sports?
    The Sports-Government Connection
    Sports and Global Political Processes
    Politics in Sports
    Summary: What are the Politics of Sports?
14. Sports in High School and College: Do Varsity Sports Programs Contribute to Education?
    Arguments For and Against Interscholastic Sports
    Interscholastic Sports and the Experiences of High School Students
    Intercollegiate Sports and the Experiences of College Students
    Do Schools Benefit from Varsity Sports Programs?
    Varsity High School Sports: Problems and Recommendations
    Intercollegiate Sports: Problems and Recommendations
    Summary: Are Varsity Sports Educational?
15. Sports and Religion: Is It a Promising Combination?
    How Do Sociologists Define and Study Religion?
    Similarities and Differences Between Sports and Religion
    Modern Sports and Religious Beliefs and Organizations
    The Challenges of Combining Sports and Religious Beliefs
    Summary: Is It a Promising Combination?
16. Sports in the Future: What Can We Expect?
    Major Sport Forms in the Future
    Future Trends in Sports
    Specific Forecasts
    The Challenge of Making the Future
    Summary: What can we expect in the future?

Bibliography

Name Index

Subject Index