Sporting Sub-Cultures - Pain and Injury - Essay Example

Sporting Sub-Cultures: Pain and Injury al Affiliation: Sporting Sub-Cultures: Pain and Injury While the modern sporting arena is an entrenched global institution nonetheless, it embodied sport performance nature makes it intimately a local experience. Accordingly, the prevailing contingencies of cultural, social, economic, spatial, technological and political settings all contribute to the notion of sports being an inevitably localized practice. In this regard, sports as a localized practice can incorporate prevailing peculiarities of local contexts, into its ritualized performance. It is thus noted that global and local tensions are often imbued within sports performance, with each being a pointer to prevailing broader global structures. This is in addition to the sensibilities responsible, even when opposed, for both the existence and operationalization of sporting practice (Wheaton, 2013). Simultaneously, there is need to point out the existence of localized sub-cultural dimensions, through which various sporting activities are able to become means for not only the advancement, but also contestation of social issues i.e. sexuality, race, gender, class, power-relations, nation-based and generational cultures. Young and Atkinson, (2008) provide that perception of such sub-cultural dimensions, in addition to how they ultimately challenge, confirm and/ or extend classical sports definitions, provides a core theme on which different literature exists, as portrayed by various authors. Accordingly, there is a need to take cognizance of both the ritualistic and performative phenomenon associated with sports fandom (Young & Atkinson, 2008). Subculture can be defined as a cultural variant shown by certain segments of a particular population and are differentiate by more than two traits. It exists within certain cohesive social systems in worlds within or outside the world of the normal cultures. Subcultures exist within interlocking group networks that have ties and structural roles (Maguire, et al.2002). Under such contexts, conceptualization of the established sports fan necessitates acknowledgement of their critical input. This is in terms of regularly following and further displaying meaningful levels of appreciation for, and subsequent emotional attachment to a specific sport’s individual athletes and/ or teams. The paper will aim at incorporating relevant theory vital in the evaluation of prevailing dominant ideologies as held within different sporting sub-cultures. Critical focus will be placed upon the issue of pain and/ injury, in terms of influences, impacts and potential effects on a given sport’s appreciation and participation. Sporting Culture and Sub-Cultures: An Overview While it is easily conceivable of a time in the future when there will be only a single civilization and culture, this is practically unattainable, given the prevailing contradictory tendencies at play. On the one hand, there prevails a ‘pull’ towards homogenization, while on the other hand, the continuous occurrence of new distinctive aspects and features of society. As Wheaton (2013) presents, the same applies to the world of sports, where it is quite impossible to envisage a time when there will only be one dominant sport. This is based and hence influenced by prevailing socio-cultural, economic and political contexts amongst others, which invariably necessitate greater presence of diversity and localized uniqueness (Wheaton, 2013). As Donnelly (1995) avers, the sporting world, just as other aspects of contemporary life are influenced by the prevailing dynamism experienced, in terms of localized and global contexts. A variety of factors are influential in the overall diverse nature of the sporting world, given the deep-rooted linkages between various sports and cultural association. In addition to this is the dominant nature of socio-economic and political influences, which invariably project some sporting sub-cultures over others, hence the ‘dominant’ stature of specific sports over the rest. Thus, as portrayed in different literature, the more a given civilized society becomes more homogenized, the further prevailing internal categories of separation become evident. Importantly to be noted is the fact that when some gains are made at a given level, there are others that are subsequently lost in other levels. As portrayed, ‘culture’ is amongst the most complex of words within the English language, hence its problematic nature. Accordingly, there exists no reason why one should assume that the term ‘sub-culture’ is in anyway less complex. Under such contexts, it is essential to therefore delve into the issue of sporting ‘sub-cultures’ from a regional, occupational, class and ethnic angle (Donnelly, 1995). Sport Culture and Sub-cultures: A Theoretical Approach Theoretical and research approaches to both sport culture and prevailing sub-cultures, especially in the field of sociology of sports, is aptly categorized into three core over-lapping perspectives. As Loland, Berit and Ivan (2006) assert, these are: first, the interactionist perspective which showed early interest in sport sub-culture; secondly, the transition period when there emerged more decisive theoretical approaches, as well as methodological approaches, to both culture and sub-cultures, and lastly, a holistic approach to ‘cultural studies’ and importantly, the subsequent fragmented approaches to the two aspects. Accordingly, it is essential to develop pertinent ‘sociological imagination’ in order to aptly attempt at exploring sports as a critical aspect of our social world. This is in relation to answering pertinent questions delving on the issue of sub-cultural identity and differences. In this regard, not only is there need for a macro-level analysis but more so, both micro and meso-level analysis. Here, focus in placed on individuals and small groups (sub-cultures), especially concerning issues of self-hood and identity (Loland, Berit & Ivan, 2006). Accordingly, culture is said to be fundamentally based upon a society’s religious, educational and political aspects, as well as prevailing social beliefs and values. It is from these four influences that various sub-cultures are derived from. Hence, sub-cultures can be deemed as regarding groups of individuals who share common aspects i.e. interests, problems or practices, hence being significantly distinguished from other members of their social groupings. As identifiable small social structures, found within dominant and larger cultures, sub-cultures compose of individuals sharing similar attitudes, values, rituals, symbols and behaviors. These aspects subsequently set them apart from the larger culture, eventually dominating their life-style (Nixon, 1992). The level of isolation is indicative of the degree to which either exclusivity or integrity (of members) is portrayed, taking note that prevailing sub-cultures cannot be so exclusively separate from the main cultures present. This is through some form of overlapping that is present. In the sporting world, application of sub-culture is based upon fractured identities as portrayed by Nixon (1996). Thus, identities are derived from different sources i.e. ethnicity, social class, nationality, community, sexuality and gender. In addition to this is the critical input of identities such as individual body physique/ structure, one’s ability and age-bracket (grouping). Importantly, is the unique nature of identity conceptualization as either: formed and reformed (through individual/ self-interaction with society), or essential, fixed/unchanging and unitary (Nixon, 1996). Concerning the former, there is presence of symbolic interactionism, where an individual’s ‘inner-core/ self’ is upheld, abate the presence of predictable changes and shifts dependent on the prevailing social contexts. The latter on its part, pertains to the psychoanalytic tradition that upholds an individual’s autonomous subjectivity, with inner self-identity emerging at birth, to subsequently unfold during one’s lifetime. To be noted is that such a conception of individual identity remains the same throughout their life. In addition, is the fact that sources of identity can at various occasions conflict, in terms of constructing identity positions, thereby leading to formation of contradictory fragmented identities (Young, 2004). Accordingly, as Molner and Kelly (2013) engage, identities, which are crucial in formation of cultures and subsequent sub-cultures, may sometimes be not only contradictory, but also unresolved. In modern contexts, a section of sociologists are of the argument that the modern society portends to the fact individual and/group category identities are not only more personal, but also mobile, self-reflexive, subject to both innovation and change and ideally occurring in multiplicity. In this regard, the fragmentation of identities continues to expand, in particular, the growing importance of consumption practices such as leisure lifestyles and sport. Such growth is especially vivid in both the maintenance and overall communication of self-identity (Molner & Kelly, 2013). Pain and Injury in Sporting Sub-Cultures In the contemporary arena, individuals and groups define themselves accordingly through various messages transmitted to other parties. As Crawford (2004) eludes, this is through both practices and goods that they possess and ultimately display under various contexts. Through manipulation or effective management of their appearances, there is creation and sustenance of a ‘self-identity.’ Accordingly, in the presence of an increased number of commodities available as ‘props’ for self or group advancement, identity has become more than ever before, a matter of personal/ individual/ selection of self-image. Thus, increasingly, more and more individuals are becoming obliged to select their own unique identities. As a result, lifestyle sports i.e. extreme sports, wrestling, football, athletics, swimming, bull-fighting, weightlifting, body-building, mountain biking, wind-surfing and rugby amongst others, are influential in the overall aim of expanding individualism and identity. In addition, has been the wholesome expansion of sport participation and/ consumption, resulting in the diverse nature of sporting cultures, aptly identified as sport sub-cultures (Crawford, 2004). As portrayed by Young (1993), the sporting culture describes the ‘wholesome sports package’ that encompasses not only participation (playing) in the actual sport, but more so all pertinent social aspects that are involved prior, during and after a given game. Hence, both individual and group identity is derived from the existing multitude of not only prevailing social interdependencies, but also the resultant roles performed. Accordingly, both becoming and subsequently engaging in sports as a sportsperson does involve long-term identification processes, with both people and the general global society at large (Young, 1993). Through continuity of development, later day personality is vitally inter-dependent on formerly developed characteristics that become inscribed within an individual’s unconscious. Hence, as Coakley and Donnelly (1999) portend, the sporting arena (and all its pertinent manifestations), can significantly affect upon the development of an individual. This is informed by the fact that there exists a ‘mutual conditioning’ of prevailing processes of both power and meaning. This is through the direct connection between habitus development and identity and power. This is useful in illustrating processes through which certain sports have become institutionalized, hence becoming culturally, economically and socially dominant. This is to the extent that such sports preclude the founding of sporting rivals to their dominating position. Accordingly, this may provide critical information as to why individuals and teams tend to engage in sporting activities despite the risk of injury and unbearable pain (Coakley & Donnelly, 1999). As a result of the commercialization of some dominant sporting sub-cultures i.e. athletics, football, extreme sports, wrestling, climbing, cycling, motor-sports, swimming and rugby amongst others, there is creation of an association with not only identity politics, but also spatial, representation , aesthetic and bodily sports, with regard to action sports formations. In this regard as Albert (1999) avers, physical injury, risk and pain are often understood as being constitutive of a given sport’s culture. While such sports are objectively dangerous, sportsmen and women often construe potential risk (of pain and injury, and in extreme cases, death) as the expected everyday elements of their sports of choice. Thus, the willingness of sportsmen and women to accepting pain and risks, is often viewed as but part of a positively sanctioned process of social control. In addition, is its validation of an individual’s commitment to not only the sport/ athletic identity, but also the team and pertinent hegemonic values present (Albert, 1999). In conclusion, the propagation of such dominant values is especially widespread within hierarchical environments such as college-level and high-school sporting activities, as well in various professional sporting activities. Risk-taking and dangerous behaviors continue being viewed as intrinsic aspects of a variety of sporting sub-cultures, essential in providing the excitement and rhythm necessary for continued capture of greater fan-bases. This is in addition to the aspect of taking existing opportunities to the limit, thereby sustaining the existing and potential fun-base through enhanced commercialization of a given sport. References Albert, E. (1999). Dealing with Danger: The Normalization of Risk in Cycling. International Review for the Sociology of Sports, 34(2): 157-171. Coakley, J & Donnelly, P. (1999). A career journey: Inside Sports. London: Routledge. Crawford, G. (2004). Consuming Sport: Fans, Sport and Culture. London: Routledge. Donnelly, P. (1995). Sport Sub-cultures. Exercise & Sport Sciences Review, 13(1): 539-78. Loland, S., Berit, S. & Ivan, W. (2006). Pain and Injury in Sport: Social and Ethical Analysis. Taylor & Francis. Maguire, J. et al. (2002). ‘Sporting subcultures’ In, J. Maguire. G. Jarvie. L. Mansfield & J. Bradley (ed) Sports Worlds: A sociological perspective. Leeds. HKP. Pp. 163-179 Molner, G. & Kelly, J. (2013) Sport, Exercise and Social Theory. Oxon: Routledge. Nixon, H.L. (1992). A Social Network Analysis of Influences on Athletes to Play with Pain and Injuries. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 16(2): 127-35. Nixon, H.L. (1996). Explaining Pain and Injury Attitudes and Experiences in Sport, in terms of Gender, Race and Sports Status Factors. Journal of Sports & Social Issues, 20(1): 33-44. Wheaton, B. (2013). The Cultural Politics of Lifestyle Sports. London: Routledge. Young, K. (2004). Sporting Bodies, Damaged Selves: Sociological Studies of Sports-Related Injury (Ed.). Oxford, UK: Elsevier Press. Young, K. & Atkinson, M. (2008) Tribal Play: Sub-cultural journeys through sport. UK: JAI Press. Young, K, (1993). Violence, Risk and Liability in Male Sports Culture. Sociology of Sport Journal, 10(4): 373-96. Read More