Sports have enabled many people to socialize through the shared interests, commodify sports and sports entertainment media, and advance political movements through its massive influence in society. According to Jay Coakley, "Sport activities in medieval Europe consisted of folk games played by local peasants, tournaments staged for knights and nobles, archery contests, and activities in which animals were brutalized"(Coakley, 62). This quote demonstrates that while sports are prevalent and almost unanimously enjoyed by the masses, the privileges enjoyed while playing sports was largely dependent on the social class. In medieval Europe sports were only locally played by peasants, creating games that only exist within certain regions. However, the sports played by knights and nobles were organized into tournaments, which is far more structured by comparison since tournaments involve a strict set of rules and itinerary. Therefore, the economic class in which the sports player not only informed the games that they played, but the rules by which they played the same sport, which effectively divided economic classes. This pattern can be observed in today's sports, since golf can be played almost exclusively by the upper-class, while basketball is played by all classes. Sports have informed social behaviors, as seen with how "baseball was described as 'America's pastime', and associated with apple pie and motherhood"(Coakley, 76). If someone in the 1960s ate apple pie, they would be more inclined to play baseball since apple pie is synonymous with good memories. Since playing baseball was associated with other behaviors, one can see that sports allow people to socialize by grouping behaviors. Inevitably, someone will do other of the many grouped behaviors, and will subsequently fall into a lifestyle that consists of all other behaviors, increasing socialization with other people of this lifestyle. Today, one can see this phenomena unfold with golf, since most golf players join country clubs where they meet other affluent people. Sports also demonstrate how modern societies involve "The dominance of secular forms of political power"(Hall,  8). In the past, the opposite phenomena happened with "symbolic rituals [being] redefined in terms of Catholic beliefs". Societies in the past used sport as a way of enacting embodying religious beliefs. Nowadays, sport and religion are largely separated, with emphasis being largely placed on the cultivation of a individualist mindset and perhaps the denial of religious affiliations.

In the tapestry of modern society, sport has woven itself as not just a pastime, but as a powerful tool for social, political, and cultural transformation. From the ancient Olympic Games, which sought to bring about peace among warring city-states, to the more recent boycotts and integrations in the 20th century, sports have always been more than just games. They are reflections of societal values, aspirations, and conflicts. “Although the wealthy often used sports to reinforce status distinctions between themselves and other social classes, they also influenced how sports were played and organized by others, especially middle-class people whose status aspirations led them to emulate the rich and powerful.” (Coakley, 2016, pp. 70) It means that social changes are embedded in the development of sports in the United States and worldwide. In essence, the elite class played a pivotal role in setting the standards for sports, influencing the players and the spectators. Their affluence allowed them to shape the perception of sports as a consumer activity, emphasizing the importance of appropriate attire, equipment, and venues. Additionally, they positioned sports as events that were accompanied by specific social rituals, distinct from work and professional settings. As a result, many in society adopted these standards, intertwining sports with the economic fabric. Interestingly, even though sports were often seen as leisure or "non-work" activities, they bore characteristics of both consumption and work, blurring the lines between recreation and the economy.When it comes to modern sports as a tool for social change, I believe sports have been instrumental in promoting gender equality. The push for women's participation in sports, exemplified by events like the Women's World Cup in soccer or the WNBA in basketball, has not only provided women with platforms to showcase their talents but has also challenged traditional gender norms and stereotypes. Billie Jean King's victory over Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match in 1973 was not just a win in sports but a significant blow to the patriarchal views that doubted women's capabilities.[337 words]

rue or False: In England, Harris et al. (2017) argue sports participation in individual sports is increasingly preferred compared to organised team sports. Group of answer choicesTrueFalse

What are the 3 types of Medieval play?

Class ideology underlying dominant sport forms in the UK involves the belief that:Group of answer choiceseconomic success is proof of ability, worth, and characterit’s better to be lucky than to work hardbeing a professional is always better than being an amateurmoney is important but it cannot buy happiness

There's a tension in sport between its historic roots in community on the one hand and the power of global capitalism on the other. In the former, people created their own sporting life and controlled it. In the latter, large institutions and corporations control sport and it serves more commercial and political ends. Neither the community nor global capital completely defines contemporary sport, but the latter—global capital—has been far more influential and grown in strength in the last half century while community power has diminished.What are the consequences—good and bad—in that historic shift of power over sport? Is serious reform of contemporary sport necessary? Why/why not? If reforms are necessary, what are they and how realistic are the chances of these sorts of reforms becoming reality? Why/why not?Identify a few sports or leagues which you think best illustrate your answer and develop your answer with evidence and specific examples.