Sociological theory - equal opportunities

• Society


  An organised group of people associated for a specific purpose or shared interest
• Socialisation


  The lifelong process of learning the skills, customs, attitudes, norms and values in order to take place in their society
• Internalisation


  The learning of values or attitudes that are incorporated within yourself
• Primary socialisation


  Socialisation by the family in the early stages of life
• Secondary socialisation


  Occurs during the later years when the family is less involved and others exert more of an influence
• Gender socialisation


  The act of learning to conform to culturally defined gender roles through socialisation
• Social control


  Attempts by society to regulate people's thoughts and behaviour
• Social change


  The transformation of a culture over time
• Examples of social change

  This Girl Can: try to increase women participation in sport

  Cricket4change: aims to get those in disadvantaged ethnic minority groups into sport
• Social issues


  Problem that affect many people within a society
• Inequality


  The unfair situation where resources or opportunities are distributed unevenly within society
• Examples of inequality


  Lack of money

  Lack of confidence

  Lack of role models

  Myths or stereotypes about the capabilities of a group
• Social stratification


  A type of social inequality where society is divided into different levels on the basis of their social characteristics, such as wealth and status
• Social action theory


  A way of viewing socialisation, emphasising social action

  - relationships of people who share similar views
• Interactionist approach


  The study of how individuals behave within a society

  - communication and interaction
• Equal opportunities


  The right to access the same opportunities regardless of factors such as race, gender etc
• Prejudice


  To form an unfavourable opinion of an individual, often based on inadequate facts
• Discrimination


  The unfair treatment of a person to make a distinction and act on a predjudice

  - overt

  - covert
• Stereotyping


  A standardised image making simple generalisations about all members of a group and treat them accordingly
• Barriers to participation: gender

  Body image issues-

  Fewer competitions and leagues-

  Stereotypes-

  Domestic responsibilities-

  Lack of female role models-

  Religion-

  Lack of media coverage-

  Channelling of women into specific sports-
• Solutions to participation: gender

  Body image issues- private facilities, variety of images

  Fewer competitions and leagues- increased sponsors

  Stereotypes- education to reduce it

  Domestic responsibilities- encourage shared responsibilities, greater social exception

  Lack of female role models- increased media coverage

  Religion- clothing adaptations, reduce stigma

  Lack of media coverage- increase media coverage

  Channelling of women into specific sports- sex discrimination laws
• Barriers to participation: disability

  Negative self-image

  Low income levels

  Lack of accessibility

  Lack of organised programmes

  Lack of media coverage

  Lack of specialist coaches and equipment

  Stereotypes
• Solutions to participation: disability

  Negative self-image- more opportunities for success

  Low income levels- more investment into programmes for disabled

  Lack of accessibility- provide transport, improve access

  Lack of organised programmes

  Lack of media coverage- promote role models

  Lack of specialist coaches and equipment- more training

  Stereotypes- education
• Barriers to participation: ethnicity

  Stacking and channelling

  Religion/culture

  Higher value placed on education

  Fear of racism

  Fewer role models

  Fear of rejection

  Language barriers
• Solutions to participation: ethnicity

  Stacking and channelling- education and anti discrimination acts

  Religion/culture- ensure single sex provision

  Higher value placed on education

  Fear of racism- punishing any racist abuse: zero tolerance policy

  Fewer role models- PE programmes showing range of ethnicities

  Fear of rejection- campaigns such as Kick racism out of football

  Language barriers- training more ethnic minority coaches
• Benefits of raising participation (health)

  Decreased risk of heart disease

  Avoidance of high/low blood pressure

  Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes

  Maintaining healthy weight

  Strengthen bones

  Improved mental health

  Decreased risk of some cancers
• Benefits of raising participation (fitness)

  Improved posture

  Improved body shape/tone

  Improved cardiovascular fitness

  Improved muscular strength

  Improved flexibility

  Improved agility, balance, coordination, speed, power, reaction time
• Benefits of raising participation (social)

  Release of serotonin make people feel better about themselves

  Improved sleep patterns

  Boost of mood

  Increased confidence and self-esteem

  New friends
• Local partners

  County sports partnerships: networks of local agencies working together to increase numbers in sport and physical activity

  - help more people develop sporting habit for life

  - create more opportunities for young people

  - nurture and develop talent

  - provide the right facilities

  - support local authorities

  - ensure real opportunities
• National partners


  English Federation of Disability Sport: aims to increase participation among young and disabled

  Street games: developing sport in disadvantaged communities