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¶ … functionalist social theory to answer, "Why are people interested in joining health clubs?" Culture, social structure and social interaction play major roles in contributing to the reasons why people are fanatically interested in sports. This paper will show how the manifest function of health clubs is that the physical appearance of a person is enhanced looking smarter and thinner by joining health clubs. In contrast, the latent function of health clubs is this that the diet suggested by these institutions to different members reflects the required needs of a body. Gym members have a connection to the functional aspects of their health club as it represents something that is critical: their health, self-image and entertainment.
Coakley (2009, p. 5) argues that a group's culture can be defined as the collective ways of life and the shared understandings as they live together. I grew up in a house with my two Uncles who were very influential to my fascination gym sociology. They boxed and also played baseball. Their athletic abilities were exceptional and were represented by the numerous trophies that filled the trophy case in our home. It was no surprise that I took a liking to sports because I was surrounded by it everyday of my life. I would go to the baseball field and watch them play baseball and I went to the gym and watched them train for boxing. My Uncles would also set up pick up leagues for my friends and me. These actions by my Uncles contributed to me becoming a fan of sports. Today I have the same influence on my sons that my Uncles had on me. My sons grew up watching me watch, play and coach sports so it has become a part of their life. They are both athletes that watch and play all the sports that were part of their culture. Many athletes today grew up with sports in their home. In summary, my Uncles are clear examples of how manifest function can...
Through defining their self-image in relation to their gym identity these individuals help connotate this topic.
Social interaction consists of people taking each other into account and, in the process, influencing each other's feelings, thoughts and actions; social structure consists of the established patterns of relationships and social arrangements that take shape as people live, work and play with each other (Coakley, 2009, p. 5). I remember when I was in high school. My friend and I would get up really early in the morning to watch football. He was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and I really disliked the Steelers but would get up with him to watch them play because he would watch my games with me. However, through the social interaction with my friend I would catch myself cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers because they were his favorite team. Social interaction is a critical part of why people play and watch sports. Sports create opportunities for conversation that enable people to form and nurture relationships and even enhance their status as they describe and critique athletes, games, teams, coaching decisions and the content of media commentaries (Coakley, 2009, p. 18). Everyone in my office where I work is a sports fan. We will spend all day Sunday, while the games are on, texting each other talking about our fantasy football team. Monday mornings are our soap box to discuss all the football action from Sunday. Like ESPN analyst we break down each game and player and this goes on all day. The emotional intensity, group camaraderie, and sense of accomplishment that often occur in sports make sport participation more memorable than other activities (Coakley, 2009, p. 18). Every Wednesday the guys and I from work play very competitive but fun basketball. It has provided us with very memorable moments and camaraderie…
References
Coakley, J. (2009). Sports in society: Issues and controversies (10th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Zirin, D. (2008). Calling sports sociology off the bench. Contexts, 7(3), Retrieved December 14, 2009, from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1507545141&sid=4&Fmt=2&clientId 79&RQT T=309&VName=PQD
Crawford, G. (2003). The career of the sport supporter: The case of the Manchester Storm. Sociology: the Journal of the British Sociological Association, 37(2), 219-237. Retrieved December 14, 2009, from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=338071481&sid=7&Fmt=2&clientId=74379&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Social and Political History How do the functionalist and conflict theories relate to the conceptualizations of government and sovereignty presented by Heywood? How much is enough government? What level of government do we need to get our collective business done? How much sovereignty is appropriate for the American government to have, particularly in view of terrorist threats in the post 9/11 environment? When does government and sovereignty interfere with the full
Social Commerce in Saudi Arabia: How the Social Media Affect the E-Commerce in Saudi Arabia SOCIAL COMMERCE IN SAUDI ARABIA Conceptual Framework Model Social Media Psychological Aspect and Theories Administration Digital Divide in Saudi Arabia Ethos, Religious conviction, and Government in E-commerce Adoption The Rise of the PR Industry in Saudi Arabia Conceptual Model and Research Hypothesis (Drawing) Research Contribution Social Commerce in Saudi Arabia Modern Saudi Arabia today actually represents an exceptional and convergent mixture of social conservatism and technological ability,
Theories Sociology has been defined s the scientific study of human interaction and, as such, is accepted as a scientific activity (Leming 1997). Social science aims at discovering and explaining observed events of and in nature by means of a framework that can be tested. The goal of sociology is, therefore, to produce a body of knowledge that will provide not only an understanding of the causal processes influencing human behavior
QUESTION THREE: "Is inequality of social classes inevitable?" The conflict theory put forward by Ralf Dahrendorf begins with a discussion of Marxism and the fact that in industry, the conflict between classes - the capitalist and proletariat (worker) - the worker had a natural inclination to be in conflict with the capitalists who were the authority, the bosses. The same kind of conflict carried over into the political realm as
Many different views abound on the origins of modern capitalism, causalities that range from economic to political, from religious to cultural, or for some, an amalgamation of societies need to expand and the resources necessary to fuel that expansion. Max Weber's the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is a study of the relationship between the ethics of ascetic Protestantism and the emergence of the spirit of modern capitalism.
It is also possible to have professional networks of contacts and people with whom one has a relationship with. Again, there are web sites that specialize in this form of a network, such as Linked in. Ultimately, people benefit from these networks by being able to take advantage of the opportunities and insights that they might not otherwise have been aware of if someone in their network had not told