Introduction
Sports activities have been part of human life since the beginning of the human race, especially among children, teens, and young adults. However, organized sports became popular in the 20th century after realizing that the social environment and everyday activities influenced human development. Games and sports activities were created, and children would take them compulsorily, with associated sports programs focused on positive development outcomes. The target was not only children but also the youth. The truth is that sports are important and of great significance in the lives of all people, including adults. This article focuses on organized sports, socialization in sports, and the associated deviance.
Sports and Socialization
One thing about sports is that it can only happen when people come together. A person looking for a sports activity to participate in first acquires information about the sport and associates with people (“Sports in society: Sports and socialization,” n.d.). The third phase includes learning the norms of the sport and finally receiving recognition and acceptance from other athletes. Socialization is a process that includes active participation and keen decision-making on types of physical activities that are least important to oneself and society. Therefore, participating in any sports activity is largely driven by one desire to socialize with others based on the above definition. This concept attracted my attention and compelled further reading. Today, the world is full of sporting activities, including football and wrestling. These activities bring people from different parts of the world together to play and watch. They bring happiness, helping people make sense of their world.
I would introduce two important points in a conversation about sports, specifically football. Firstly, people give meaning to sports experiences based on social relationships. Such social relationships differ from individual to individual based on race, ethnicity, social class, and sexuality, among other characteristics. As a result, people should be careful when choosing sporting activities for their children. They should ensure such children fit well socially with other team members to have a good experience and benefit from the associated human development. Secondly, sports influence the players’ culture and lives and even people who do not participate in the activities. In this regard, it is important to choose the right social environment for children because those they encounter define how their later life unfolds.
Organized Youth Sports
Organized sports are games or sports activities played by more than three persons who regularly practice and work together as a team. Games like football and rugby were originally made to strengthen and prepare boys for future success, but they are often practiced today by both genders (“Sports in society: Organized youth sport, “n.d.). Parents have taken the responsibility of managing their children’s success in sports. They take youth sports seriously, advocating for their interests even in extreme circumstances, a fact that surprised me most. As a result, they choose the best programs and coaches to ensure their children have a successful career in sports, taking it as their moral responsibility.
Given the opportunity to talk to a friend or a family member, I would stress a few important points on this topic. Firstly, organized youth sports do not have to be organized by parents. The youth can plan and design their sports and still benefit socially from interactions with their teammates. After all, the value of sports is not only in winning but also in participating. Lastly, participating in sports does not always mean players will benefit. What matters is what they learn from socialization and might be wrong or right. Therefore, parents should keep a close watch to ensure their children develop in the right direction.
Deviance in Sports
Deviance is a behavior that fails to conform to the norms and expectations of a particular social group. It is closely related to crime, but not all deviant behavior is wrong. In sports, deviance occurs when people perceive a person’s ideas or actions to fall outside the rules and regulations of the associated sports activity (“Sports in society: Deviance in sports,” n.d.). When players violate official rules, this is known as formal deviance, and official sanctions by people in power give punishments. On the other hand, informal deviance includes violations of unwritten customs, and observers and peers administer punishment through unofficial sanctions.
I would share some important takeaways with friends and family on this topic. Firstly, deviance in sports might not be regarded as deviance in other social gatherings and vice versa (“Sports in society: Deviance in sports,” n.d.). For this reason, those interested in sports should understand the difference so that they fit well in different sports gatherings or events. Additionally, there are other unwritten rules apart from those dictated by coaches. Through interactions, players should find ways to understand their peers and teammates to maintain respect and togetherness. Athletes interpret roles loosely, creating informal norms that violate official rules. Therefore, athletes need to follow what referees and game instructors say to avoid unnecessary punishments.
Conclusion
Conclusively, sports activities are more important in human lives now than ever. The popularity of sports like soccer and the associated benefits have pushed parents to take personal responsibility for finding the best training opportunities for their children. However, they need to understand how the industry works and its benefits because some of their efforts are guided by mere assumptions. Children, youth, and athletes can benefit significantly through socialization and even secure a well-paying career within the industry when approached in the right direction. Socialization can also help learn about formal and informal deviance related to a particular group and help the participants fit into various social groups during sports.
References
Sports in society: Deviance in sports [PowerPoint slides]. (n.d.).
Sports in society: Organized youth sport [PowerPoint slides]. (n.d.).
Sports in society: Sports and socialization [PowerPoint slides]. (n.d.).