Lessons of the Locker Room: The Myth of School Sports

by Andrew W. Miracle, C. Roger Rees

Overview

Do sports build character? An anthropologist and a sociologist explore the underpinnings of school sports and examine the evidence to support the prevailing assumption that sport is an ennobling experience. They find that participation has little effect on positive character development. Far from building model citizens, their research shows that competitive team sports may foster selfish motives and antisocial behavior. Rather than learning self-sacrifice and dedication, athletes often pick up the message that "winning isn''t everything - it''s the only thing."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615925148
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/05/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	243
File size:	388 KB

About the Author

Andrew W. Miracle Jr. was dean of the College of Health and Urban Affairs and professor of public health at Florida International University. He was the author (with T.S. Miracle) of Human Sexuality: Understanding Your Basic Needs and the editor (with A.O. Dunleavy and C.R. Rees) of Studies in the Sociology of Sport; Bilingualism: Social Issues and Policy Implications; (with Rees) of Sport and Social Theory; and (with D.N. Suggs) of Culture and Human Sexuality.

C. Roger Rees is professor emeritus of health and sports sciences at Adelphi University. He is the editor  (with A.O. Dunleavy and A.W. Miracle) of Studies in the Sociology of Sport; (with Miracle) of Sport and Social Theory; and (with G.T. Barrette and R.S. Feingold) of Sport Pedagogy: Myths, Models, and Methods.

Editorial Reviews

Miracle, a professor of sociology at Texas Christian University, and Rees, a professor of sociology at Adelphi University, set out to define--and expose--the myths largely responsible for what they regard as the overemphasis on sports in America's public schools. Tracing the development of ``muscular Christianity'' in the 19th century, they concentrate on the theory that participation in sports builds character, offering convincing arguments that the personalities of individuals are constant and little changed by athletic activity. As to viewing sports as a route to upward mobility, they repeat the widely recognized warnings that a career in professional sports comes to only a minuscule percentage of athletes. They stress the influence of business and industry on education, showing that in the past schools were expected to produce obedient, healthy and cooperative laborers, but with factory jobs being replaced by high-tech industries, business needs more math nerds than muscle-bound linebackers. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Miracle, an anthropologist at Texas Christian University, and Rees, in the physical education department at Adelphi University, challenge the truism that "sports build character" in students from grammar school through high school and college. They study the evolution of the idea and its ramifications, as well as the evidence that refutes it, and suggest alternatives to current practices. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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