Sociocultural Foundation of Sports and Recreation, Free Essay Example

Allender, S., Cowburn, G., & Foster, C. (2006). Understanding participation in sport and physical activity among children and adults: a review of qualitative studies. Health Education Research. Retrieved 6 April 2018, from https://academic.oup.com/her/article/21/6/826/608268

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Summary

In this study, the aim was to find all that motivates adults and young children to participate in sports. The investigation majorly employed the qualitative approach to achieve the outcome. Innately, the research questions revolve around whether non-participation or participation for adults and children in physical activity brings a significant value to the human life. In this regard also, there is a question on the factors that motivates individuals to participate in physical activities. The purpose of the investigation is to substantiate the cultural, social and economic factors that manipulate people's patterns of participation in physical activities. In effect, this research is significant because it creates an opportunity for the United Kingdom's government to come up with the relevant physical activity policies which can be of much importance to the society (Allender, Cowburn, & Foster, 2006, p. 827). In theory, it is understood that qualitative research allows the investigators construe what is indeed experienced by the participants. In the method of this investigation, published materials using the qualitative research design written between 1990 and 2004 were done (Allender, Cowburn, & Foster, 2006, p. 831). All this utilized the use of electronic databases such as CINAHL and Medline. The procedure involved identifying the relevant sources from the databases and doing a comparative study. Finally, the results offered the rationale for involvement or non-participation in physical activities for people of different ages and culture. Social interaction, enjoyment, health factors, and weight management were some of the grounds for partaking in physical activities. On the other hand, unsafe environment for sports and expensive sport facilities or either lack of them were some of the reasons for non-participation in physical activities.

Reflections and Connections

In the global arena, sports and recreation have been a topic of focus. In the understanding of many people, sport and recreation are much imperative in the social and cultural forums. Though it remains to be seen why some people are fond of sport and recreation, a considerable proportion of individuals is incredibly aware of the relevance of the physical activities to individuals and the general society. These physical activities comprise various forms of sports which people can use to impact on their culture and social lives. As seen in this article, people are motivated to engage in sport and reaction by distinct factors. Such factors could be based on the age of the persons under consideration. For instance, what makes teenagers and children engage in sport and recreation is different from what influences the adult persons. Social stereotypes motivate children to participate in sport and recreation (Collins, & Haudenhuyse, 2015, p. 62). In this regard, they do this to embrace the cultural norms that they have learned in their particular society. In every community, several forms of sport and recreation have been embodied for years. Children will have to embrace these forms of games and transfer them from one generation to the other, thus, ensure that there is continuity. In my understanding, this is a useful element in any cultural belief as it binds members of the society together. Shared cultural beliefs make a community to remain conservative of the most critical aspects of its traditions. It is much useful especially when it is exposed to be learned by the young children. Such a unity helps people to work together and more so in social functions which lead to the progressive culture of the society.

I chose this article because it has an in-depth analysis pertaining to the reasons that motivate people of all ages to participate in sports alongside the barriers that they face in a bid to participate in sport. Reaction and sport is an area of focus not only by the family members and individuals, but by the governments and the entire world. Then this explains the reason there are international competitions in various forms of sports (Collins, & Haudenhuyse, 2015, p. 73). All this is geared to reaping the maximum benefits that are associated with both sports and reaction. Thus, although people might be focused health benefits at individual and the family level, society, country and the world will view it from the standpoint of the more associated benefits such as social harmony and peacekeeping. In this article, the authors cite that one of the reasons that adults take part in sport and recreation is for social interaction purposes. Then this highlights the connection between sports and relationship building. When people from various parts of the world engage in sport activities, it is possible to meet with others who are unfamiliar to them. If this happens, new relationships are built as a result of social interaction. In fact, some of them go ahead to become business partners which is good for the society and economy. As a consequence, this highlights the reason people should get inspired to engage in active participation in sport and recreation. It is much possible to raise the life fortunes by meeting with people who have some superior ideas regarding a particular aspect of human life and of economic importance.

Another reason that made me opt for this article is that it has expounded on both motivational and barriers preventing people from participating in sport and recreation activities. Regarding the obstacles involved, unsafe environment and reduced access to the relevant facilities are one of the leading factors. In some cases, it might be the case of an individual facing the unpleasant moment when engaging in physical activities. Barriers that are experienced by the young school girls might be different from those encountered by any other group of individuals. Every society shares particular stereotypes that at times might not feel encouraging to young girls when they participate in sports (Collins, & Haudenhuyse, 2015, p. 81). In fact, the entire world has never shown adequate equality for the sport and recreation activities that are orchestrated by female compared to the stressing given to the male competitions. There is a particular emphasis that is given when males are a contest which is never the case for females. For example, when the world cup soccer competition is held, there are a large proportion of fans that devote their time here. On the flip side, this is never the case since female races attract few viewers. People fail to show enthusiasm when females are the contenders. Given this is the case, young girls get drawn out of the interest to participate in sport and recreation. Even though this can bring other benefits, they become less interested, and this becomes a barrier. In the United States, the government has tried to implement various policies that support sport and recreation. All this has been aimed at finding the gender balance in sport and recreation; hence, seeking how to impart social justice by use of this media. The understanding is that sport and recreation can be a sound medium through which social reconciliation and justice can be achieved among people of various cultural backgrounds.

Finally, by relating the content of this article whose context is the United Kingdom, it is possible to draw meaningful information. In line with this, the United States' government can adopt a more ambitious approach to dealing with all the aspects that promote sport and recreation. All this starts with the identification of the problems that are facing this sector and how they can be solved. Government policies that support sport and recreation can be of the massive boost in this since challenges such as hazardous environment, and lack of adequate facilities can be resolved (Collins, & Haudenhuyse, 2015, p. 96). On the same note, the government can authorize the media platforms to keep encouraging the activate participation in sport and recreation. Community initiatives that relate to sport and recreation should receive high support from the government as this will help to propagate the idea of the significance of these activities amongst all the people. Social, cultural and economic elements of the people should show a high relationship with sport and recreation. The concept here is that active participation and valuation of all these aspects leads to a harmonious society. Non-participation in sport and recreational activities should be discouraged among all the people. In this point of understanding, all individuals should be sensitized on the matters of the subject matter. If the negative impacts of non-participation are prominently pronounced to them, then this will cultivate some urge from them to raise interest in sport and recreation. On the other side, positive values of sport and recreation should be told to all people in a bid to inspire their participation. If all this is done, it will be possible to reap the maximum benefits of sport and recreation.

References

Allender, S., Cowburn, G., & Foster, C. (2006). Understanding participation in sport and physical activity among children and adults: a review of qualitative studies. Health Education Research. Retrieved 6 April 2018, from https://academic.oup.com/her/article/21/6/826/608268

Collins, M., & Haudenhuyse, R. (2015). Social exclusion and austerity policies in England: The role of sports in a new area of social polarisation and inequality?. Social inclusion, 3(3).