Sports are a form of leisure that involves playing games, usually organized into teams. These games are played with physical and mental skills, such as speed, agility, coordination, strength, and endurance.
Athletes and others involved in sports migrate to different countries, cities, and states in order to train and compete in these competitions. The migration process is a part of a larger globalization process that involves economic, political, and social movements around the world.
Socialization Through Sports
In modern societies, boys and young men are more likely to participate in sports than girls and young women. However, the gender gap has narrowed considerably in recent decades.
Sociologists have documented a range of patterns of participation in sports that can be attributed to early socialization, role modeling, peer group subcultures, economic and community structures, stereotyping, and scapegoating. They have also shown that ethnic minorities tend to be less active in sports and to suffer from underrepresentation when they are in the game.
Link Between Sports and National Culture
In many countries, sports serve as a focus for national identity. The values that are embodied in certain sports — such as fair play, valour, graceful conduct, and steadfastness in the face of adversity — are seen to represent the essence of a nation’s character.
As a result, athletes and others involved in sports are often drawn to different nations in search of training facilities, more challenging competition, greater financial rewards, and international recognition and prestige. The globalization of sports is a complex, multilayered process that involves not only economic and political aspects but also cultural, religious, and ethnic influences.