Gender and Religion in the Rise of Sports

This paper explores the role of gender and religion in the rise of sports, including the impact of urbanization, transportation, and the desire for commonality. It discusses the traditional association of sports with male gender, the growing interest of the feminine gender in sports, and the impact of religion on sports. The paper is based on the book 'Sports in American Life: A History' by R. O. Davies.

Running head: GENDER AND RELIGION
Gender and Religion
David M Cho
California State University
Author’s Note:

1GENDER AND RELIGION
Sports form an important part of the lives of the life of the individuals and therefore in
the recent times it has undergone much transformation in the recent keeping in view the
changing nature as well as the view of the society (Davies, 2016). As per Knapp in the
lecture, “Life in the large city seemed so secluded and lonely that people found comfort in
things that drew them together such as sport”. Therefore, it can be said that one of the major
reasons for the rise of the various kinds of sports was to reduce the boredom as well as the
loneliness of the people (Davies, 2016). This paper will focus on the role which gender and
religion played in the rise of the sports.
In the opinion of Knapp, one of the major reasons for the rise of the various kinds of
sports was the urbanization of the various nations of the world. In particular lecturer noted
that “Some of the biggest changes took place due to the movement of the population from
rural areas to urban centers, the rising per capita income industry provided, revolution in
communication and transportation, the Evangelical movement, and the rise of the new middle
class”. Furthermore, he is of the opinion that “one of the negative consequences of urban
living was this social anomie, or sense of dislocation and alienation. Spurred by this sense of
alienation was this rising need for commonality. People joined voluntary associations and
sporting groups to feed this need for commonality”. It is significant to note that since the
traditional times the various kinds of sports have been traditionally been associated with the
male gender and the female gender have played a secondary role in the sports. However, in
the modern times it is seen that the girls also opt for a number of sports and are making a
major impact on the concerned sports. In the opinion of the lecturer another significant reason
for the rise of the various kinds of sports is that “it allowed for a sort of civic boosterism as it
allowed urban communities to express themselves as a defined unit against an opposed other,
all under the guise of athletic competition”. It is significant to note that this particular idea is
in direct opposition to the various precepts of religion. Religion since the traditional times

2GENDER AND RELIGION
preaches that the human beings should devote their lives to hard work and the attainment of
the divine being. Therefore, it can be said that the idea of sports as a recreational activity is in
direct opposition to the various precepts of religion. The change in the opinion of the people
about the various forms of religion is also likely to impact the growth of the various kinds of
sports in a significant manner. Another significant reason for the rise of the various forms of
sports was the development of the diverse kinds of transportation system and thus in the
opinion of the author “In 1860 there was 31,000 miles of rail in the U.S. By the last decade
of the century that had risen to 164,000 which included the transcontinental railroad which
linked the east and west part of the country. This allowed sporting competitions to span over
a larger geographical area as teams could now traveling to compete farther than ever before”.
Moreover, sports are also seen as an entity which is used to unite the different people of the
society. In the opinion of the lecturer, “the dismantling of dualism, the belief that the mind
and body were separate entities…..Sport was beginning to be seen as a great activity that
created a better body and thus improved the person on whole and as a result we see the
gymnastics movement in America which we will take up in our next lecture”. Therefore, it
can be said that the various kinds of sports arose in the present times due to diverse reasons
and the concepts of religion and gender played a significant role in the process.
To conclude, the rise of the various kinds of sports in the present times can be
attributed to various diverse reasons. The urbanization of the various nations of the world, the
desire of the various people to eliminate their boredom and others played a significant role
not only in the rise of the various kinds of sports but also in the current transformation which
they have undergone. It is significant to note that gender and religion also played a significant
role in the process concerned. The growing interest of the feminine gender in the various
kinds of sports is likely to impact the various sports in a significant manner. Religion is also
likely to have a significant impact on the various kinds of sports.

3GENDER AND RELIGION
References
Davies, R. O. (2016). Sports in American life: A history. John Wiley & Sons.