Social Issues in Sport, Third Edition, explores common questions and issues about sport and its relation to society through various sociological and cultural lenses. Author Ronald Woods draws on a lifetime in sport as a participant, observer, fan, teacher, coach, administrator, and critic to explore historical perspectives and complex relationships that have emerged between sport and our modern society. The text’s engaging writing style, full-color design, and ample learning tools keep students engaged.
Social Issues in Sport, Third Edition, remains grounded in practical application and follows the framework of the previous editions to provide social theories through which students may examine real-world issues. Updated statistical information allows students to analyze trends in participation, popularity, gender, race, and class as they relate to sport.
Part I. Studying Sport in Society
Chapter 1. What Is Sport and Why Do We Study It?
Sport Through the Ages
Definition of Sport
Study of Sport
Chapter Summary
Chapter 2. How Do We Study Sport?
Research Methods
Social Theories
Current Status of Sport Sociology
Chapter Summary
Part II. Scope and Effect of Sport on Society
Chapter 3. Participants Versus Spectators
Sport Participants
Factors Affecting Sport Participation
Trends in Sport Participation
Sport Spectators
Trends in Spectator Sports
Chapter Summary
Chapter 4. Business of Sport
Sport and the Economy
Ownership in Professional Sport
Sport as Monopoly
Collegiate Sport as Moneymaker
Recreational Sport as a Business
Chapter Summary
Chapter 5. Media and Sport
Evolution of Sport Media
Interplay of Sport and Media
How Sport Affects the Media
Ideology of Sport Through the Media
Careers in Sport Media
Chapter Summary
Part III. Sport as an Institution
Chapter 6. Youth Sport
History of Youth Sport
Sponsors of Youth Sport
Privatization of Youth Sport
Current Status of Youth Sport
Organized Youth Sport
Why Kids Participate—and Stop Participating—in Sport
Burnout in Youth Sport
Reforms for Youth Sport
Chapter Summary
Chapter 7. Coaching Sport
Influence of Coaches
Status of Coaching
Coaching at Different Levels of Sport
Coaching Personality
Challenges for the Future of Coaching
Chapter Summary
Chapter 8. Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Sport
Interscholastic Sport
Collegiate Sport
Chapter Summary
Chapter 9. International Sport
Globalization of Modern Sport
U.S. Influence on World Sport
Olympic Games
Media Effects on the Globalization of Sport
Nationalism Versus Economics
Athletes and Coaches as Migrant Workers
Using Sport for Better World Understanding
Chapter Summary
Chapter 10. Olympic Movement
History of the Olympics
Effect of the Olympic Games
Nationalism and the Olympic Movement
United States Olympic Committee
Athlete Development
Chapter Summary
Part IV. Sport and Culture
Chapter 11. Sporting Behavior
Sporting Behavior at Different Levels of Sport
Youth Attitudes
Development of Moral Values
Moral Values Applied to Sport
Moral Values Taught Through Sport
Strategies for Good Sporting Behavior
Chapter Summary
Chapter 12. Race, Ethnicity, and Sport
Classifications of Race and Ethnicity
Sport Participation Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Sport and Promoting Equality
Minorities as Sport Leaders
Chapter Summary
Chapter 13. Women and Sport
Historical Role of Women
Women and Sport Before Title IX
Title IX
Women and Sport After Title IX
Social Issues in Women’s Sport
Global Status of Women in Sport
Barriers for Women in Sport
Media Coverage of Women’s Sport
Golden Age of Sport Reborn
Chapter Summary
Chapter 14. Social Class and Sport
Social Class
Social Class and Sport Activity
Control of Amateur and Professional Sport
Class Mobility in Sport
Chapter Summary
Chapter 15. Special Populations and Sport
Americans with Disabilities Act
American Association of People with Disabilities
Sport Participation for Athletes With a Physical Disability
Sport Participation for Athletes With a Mental Disability
Sport Participation for Older Athletes
Issues for Special Populations in Sport
Chapter SummaryChapter 16. Religion and Sport
Religion and Sport in History
Christian Influence on Sport
Sport and Religions Other Than Christianity
Use of Religion in Sport by Athletes
Use of Sport by Athletes to Promote Religious Beliefs
Use of Religion by Coaches, Organizations, and Owners
Organizations Using Sport to Promote Religion
Using Sport to Promote Christian Colleges and Secondary Schools
Conflict Between Sport and Religion
Chapter Summary
Chapter 17. Politics and Sport
Government Promotion of Physical Activity and Health
Government in Sport
Government Promotion of Identity and Unity Among Citizens
Nationalism and Sport
Sport and the Promotion of Social Values
Politics Within Sport
Chapter Summary
Chapter 18. Development Through Sport
Benefits of Sport and Physical Activity
Benefits of Sport at Various Ages
Development Programs for Children and Youth
International Outreach Through Sport
Peace Initiatives Through Sport
Potential Funding Sources for Sport Development Programs
Chapter Summary
Chapter 19. Violence and Rule Breaking in Sport
Rule Breaking
Emotion and Sport
Aggression and Sport
Violence in Sport
Chapter Summary
Chapter 20. Deviance and Sport
Performance Enhancement Through Drugs
Eating Disorders in Sport
Hazing in Sport
Gambling and Sport
Chapter Summary
Chapter 21. Future Trends in Sport
Social Trends
Conflict Between Performance Sport and Participation Sport
Effects of Social Changes
Effects of Spectatorship
Effects of Technology
Effects of the Electronic Media
Will Sport Change?
Who Will Lead the Way?
Who Will Fight for Change?
Chapter Summary
Ronald B. Woods, PhD, is an adjunct professor of health science and human performance at the University of Tampa. He was a professor of physical education and men’s tennis coach at West Chester University in Pennsylvania for 17 years and was inducted into their athletic Hall of Fame. He has more than 40 years of experience as a professor, coach, and sport administrator.
Woods also spent 20 years with the United States Tennis Association and was the first director of player development, a program that assisted in the development of top junior players into successful playing professionals. He was also honored by the International Tennis Hall of Fame with their Educational Merit Award in 1996.
He has been honored by the United States Professional Tennis Association as National Coach of the Year in 1982 and named a Master Tennis Professional in 1984. A lifelong member of SHAPE America, Woods was a member of the U.S. Olympic Coaching Committee for eight years and the Coaches’ Commission of the International Tennis Federation.