Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Learning Culture Through Sports: Perspectives on Society and Organized Sports

In today's culture, sports wield a weight influence; this influence, however, is rarely examined. Similar to the first edition, this second edition of Learning Culture Through Sports provides coaches, educators, parents, and others dealing with students and athletes with an engaging and critical context for probing the sociological basis of this influence. The book's sections each address a particular issue in sport: youth and sport; gender and sexuality; race and ethnicity; sport, media, and big business; and international perspectives on sport and participation. Leading experts in the field present new and exciting avenues for exploring sport in our world, allowing us to recognize its tremendous influence, both positive and negative, in our lives and in our world. This new edition also includes cutting-edge research examining contemporary issues and controversies surrounding sport today. These issues, analyzed from multiple perspectives, will inspire readers to change the game in positive ways. Review The essays are solid, and they challenge the reader to think about and reflect on social constructs and their relationships with sport and society.--CHOICE This book offers new and heartfelt insights into the role of sports in our lives. In these pages, you'll meet coaches, players, parents and academics who will help you rethink your relationship with the games you love, and recommit to giving your children the best sports experiences possible.--Jeffrey Zaslow, coauthor of The Last Lecture Through these essays, written by a distinguished group of contributors, students can discover how the sports they take for granted can be a window into understanding the world in which they live.--Michael Oriard, Oregon State University About the Author Sandra Spickard Prettyman is associate professor of educational foundations and leadership at the University of Akron. Brian Lampman is a high school social studies teacher in Saline, Michigan, where he also coaches men’s varsity soccer.