This is a three to five page paper on varsity sports in U.S. schools. The paper must focus on sociological issues such as gender equity, gender relations, race or ethnic relations, peer group relations, the culture and social organization of social life at the school, the experiences of athletes, coach-athlete relationships, media coverage, the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion in social life atthe school, the experiences of “non-athletes” or those who play non-varsity sports, etc.
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High School or College Sports Project
This is a three- to five-page APA style paper on varsity sports in U.S. schools. The paper must focus on sociological issues such as gender equity, gender relations, race or ethnic relations, peer group relations, the culture and social organization of social life at the school, the experiences of athletes, coach-athlete relationships, media coverage, the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion in social life at the school, the experiences of “non-athletes” or those who play non-varsity sports, etc.
The following guide sheet will help you conceptualize your paper:
ask them about their experiences and how they fit with the overall experience of going to school, related with other students, teachers, etc. Is there hazing on the team, and if so, what does it involve? What commitments do students have to make to play on the sport team?)
• Coach-athlete relationships (autocratic or democratic, positive or negative, coach behavior with players, extent to which players make decisions or control the game)
“nonathletes” or those who play non-varsity sports. Do varsity sports contribute to social unity in
the school or do they create divisions? Is there bullying in the school, and are athletes involved? • Cheerleaders and pep club (what they do, when, responses to them; how they define their
experiences; criteria for being a cheerleader or pep club member)
• Spectators, including parents, other students, and teachers (talk with them if possible and ask
them how they see varsity sports fitting into the school; ask them if they would rather see more
inclusive programs related to lifetime sports for more students)
• Information from student spectators (What brings them to the game? What do they enjoy most?
When is it most exciting or boring? What other sports do they attend or play? What would change if there were no varsity sports? Do they have intramural sports? How do athletes and other students get along?)
• Information from teachers (How do they see sports fitting in to the overall educational experiences of students?)
• For college sports: Funding issues, attitudes related to the use of student fees to support the program; all the above issues also
• Other issues:
o Who is left out of the experience? (students with disabilities, students who are smaller in
size, eligibility issues?)
o Who in the school benefits the most or the least from varsity sports?
o Would anyone like to see alternatives to varsity sports? What alternatives might they want
to see?
Answer preview
Race/ethnic relations have also become a major factor that has hindered equal participation of high schools students into sporting activities. For instance, the African American or the Latin American students can only participate in certain sports such as basketball or football and not croquet or jockeying (Miller, et al., 2004). Another case is where students from certain races are selected to form the main team and the minority races are only given the spots for substitute players. The minority ethnic communities are ignored by their peers and even the coaches to the extent where they face physical and mental abuse.
