Mason Packer

Sports in Society

07/25/2024

Part 1: Research Proposal

Section 1: Observation Site

Event to Observe

The subject that I have chosen is to watch the local youth football league game, to be

more precise, the game of two community teams of young football players within the framework

of the developed system of children’s football in the city. This event refers to an amateur level,

usually comprising children and youths under 14 who participate in a highly competitive yet

closely-knit event. These games are played on weekends on a playground in a public park, and

family members or cordial friends, as well as other members of the society, are usually present to

watch the matches.

Main Focus

I will be observing the behaviors of the spectators, especially the parents, coaches, and

other members of society, and will be quite insightful concerning the socio-structural relations

within that community. In the same manner that the players’ movements are critical on the field,

the spectators and the coaches are crucial on the sideline as they encompass the construction of

support, community, and locally situated identity (Kim et al., 2021).

Interest in Community

This community interests me for several reasons, including the following incidents or

questions. Youth sports can be an important factor in one’s life, at least as far as my personal

experience is concerned. I participated actively in youth sports, and the experience has left many

influences on my social interactions and community affiliations. Furthermore, youth sports have

always been something that I was interested in, and I could observe the aspect of competition as

well as friendly interaction. Watching a youth football game enables me to implement the above

themes systematically. Also, youth events, particularly sports, have shown me how youths from

different categories in a given community interact, hence offering a platform to study social

integration and dissemination of cultural norms.

Section 2 shows that assumptions represent beliefs that we or others take to be held by

people of a particular type in a specific context.

Value Judgments

Perhaps one of the most well-known and prominent beliefs about youth sports

communities is that they are too intense, and parents and coaches force children to become

overly competitive. By assuming this, the public tends to imagine highly pressurized and

win-lose structures that Came to Replace the Fun of the Game. Another value judgment is that

these events are big for boys only; this views them as enhancing conservatism in female

education and negating girls.

Instinctive Thought

Whenever I reflect on a particular youth football game, I somehow tend to regard it as a

basic requirement of strengthening social relations within the society, hence the reason why it is

staged. Here, I picture excited parents, motivating coaches, and happy children on the field,

making the overall atmosphere lively. However, at the same time, I have thoughts about possible

conflicts: competition, rivalry, parents’ pressure, and the question of enjoyment vs. seriousness.

Although I use these initial thoughts to direct my research questions, they form the basis of the

knowledge.

Section 3: Sociological Significance

Connection to Wider Issues

Consequently, this paper aims to describe the various aspects of youth football games as

examples of a macro social concept referring to community, socialization, and cultural

consistency. Analyzing this community would enable the researcher to discover how existing

values within society are inculcated in the younger generation through sports. It also ties into the

broader concept of social capital, discussing how such occasions build appropriate connections

and trust within the society. Also, the interconnection between sports and identity, especially

when it comes to gender stereotyping or integration of women in sports, will be discussed on this

site.

Learning Outcomes

I desire to explore this community by exploring how such communal events as youth

sports play an essential role in social cohesion and the development of people’s identities.

Ultimately, it will help me to analyze the causes of mutual support and competition in the

configuration of a comprehensive interaction and its impact on both the players and the

spectators. This research may unveil a different representation of competition and make people

recognize that they are surrounded by supportive people who encourage them. On the other hand,

it can be inferred that some of those pressures are present and countered by the general

advantages of engagement and socialization.

Section 4: Focus/Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement

“Although people may consider youth football games simple competitions, I view them

as the constructions of the community and the henchmen of social solidarity. I am concerned

with how the spectators—the parents and the coaches—support the creation of the community

atmosphere, what those interactions tell about the support structures, and how these gatherings

reflect the patterns of socialization and the ideals of the culture.”

Section 5: Data Collection Plan

Observation Details

My proposed data collection method is to attend a targeted youth football match the next

Saturday morning, ideally at the local and public parks. The particular game will entail two

community-based teams, which will mean a more active and interested spectator audience. My

observation will be for about 1 hour 30 minutes, 30 minutes before the start of the game, during

the time of the game, and 10 minutes after the game session ends. 5 hours.

Access and Entry

Investigators should be easy to contact since these are public events espoused in the

community. I will ensure I get an opportunity to look for a good location to wait for the subjects

from which I will not interfere with any of their activities. In observing the event, I will not

interfere in any activities to avoid interjecting with the event’s normalcy.

Methods

The main focus of the research will be on the spectators, and thus, their actions, gestures,

and responses during the game will be my major concerns. I will not interview and formally ask

the subjects of this study for permission to interact with them during the observation; however, I

may chat with them occasionally to get more information. The main emphasis will be on the

naturalistic approach to prevent interference with people’s behaviors and communication

patterns.

Note-Taking

The notes will be taken on paper, as writing enables capturing rich details without a

gadget’s interference. My notes will be grouped according to major and minor ideas that define

spectators and their activity with perceived objects.

Difficulties:

Challenges that can be foreseen are the conflict of interest between wanting to write

down everything and not wanting to make situations seemingly invasive. Furthermore, given that

the capacity is a children’s event, I need to be cautious so that parents and children do not feel

uncomfortable seeing me around. Sustaining conversation with spectators and getting them to

actively participate in conversation without having to be prevented from focusing their attention

on the screen may also prove to be a challenge.

Section 6: Existing Research

Research Direction:

Thus, to support my observations, I will rely on the findings of contemporary sociology, sports

studies, and anthropology. These disciplines, sociology and sports studies, may explain the

concept of community and social capital as well as the use of sports in socialization and identity

establishment. Anthropology will aid in analyzing means, manners, and ways in which culture

imparts traditions and patterns related to sports events and their ceremonial nature. To address

this, I will also explore gender studies to determine the part played by gender in youth sports and

any prejudice.

Secondary Sources

Drawing from the abovementioned features, I will look for support in sociological, sports

science, and anthropological studies literature. Sociology can help analyze community aspects

and social capital, and sports studies can help describe the peculiarities of sports usage in

socialization and identification processes. Anthropology will assist in explaining cultural

relativity and the usage of aesthetics in boring activities such as sports (Smith, 2020). I will also

explore the gender aspect in youth sports to see how gender contributes to the experience.

Media and Culture

Documentaries, articles, and sporting analyses will support youth sports and help give a

more modern view and understanding of youth sports activity. These sources can help observe

the present-day development, social beliefs, and public discussion about youth football and other

community sports activities.

Section 7: Why Does This Matter?

Significance

It is important because it will help widen the knowledge about the social roles of

community sports events. Through a cultural analysis of the youth football game, an analytical

angle could be developed into how these events support the community’s social fabric, identity,

coherence, and supportive networks (Spaaij & Schaillée, 2020). This study can promote the

recognition of the benefits of group work and fight against the prejudice people have on

competitive motives of athletic events. Most youngsters nowadays regard sports as an important

means of social interaction. It is essential to comprehend such dynamics when forming peoples’

meaning and functioning of their life realms to facilitate inclusive, supportive, and cohesive

contexts.

References

Kim, S., Morgan, A., & Assaker, G. (2021). Examining the relationship between sport

spectator motivation, involvement, and loyalty: A structural model in the context of

Australian Rules football. Sport in Society, 24(6), 1006-1032.

Smith, Z. (2020). Can sport be regarded as ‘cultural liturgy’? Recognizing the significance of

the liturgical frame for the social scientific study of sport. In Christianity and Social

Scientific Perspectives on Sport (pp. 24-38). Routledge.

Spaaij, R., & Schaillée, H. (2020). Community-driven sports events as a vehicle for cultural

sustainability within the context of forced migration: Lessons from the amsterdam

futsal tournament. Sustainability, 12(3), 1020.