I will agree that sports are sold through violence - no equivocations. Which sports are the most popular? Is tennis the most popular sport, frisbee, swimming? No, the most popular sports are those that not only incorporate violence but promote it. Football, boxing, baseball, hockey, even NASCAR are followed with seemingly obsessive scrutiny. People are brought up thinking that such sports are the "manly" sports. I laugh when people say that and then mention wrestling . Not to offend anyone but can a sport appear more homosexual and less manly. Two sweaty guys in tights grabbing each other. I only mention it because sports that don’t require tights and man to man rubbing, such as tennis, are considered gay.
I don’t think sports have a direct correlation to war. The connection is violence, a subject that our culture could not thrive without. The question for this prompt is rather ironic because of the football game this weekend. So many people see football games, and the day that they occure, as holy days. Nothing can coincide or interfere with such imperative matters (other than alcohol and the occasional witty comment that is). Sports, followed as they are now, are rather ridiculous. I have nothing against sports. I have played on various teams in various sports since I was three. The lure of violence and manliness is enough to make me sick though. The only thing worse in this subject than peoples inability to live without it is their dependence on alcohol. Another point, adding to the violence, is the abuse of women in these sports. Women are used solely as soft-core porn to please the drooling drunks watching it. Even worse they'll most likely agree laughing and not see anything wrong with it. But hey, that is what being a man is all about right?
I like the fact that you brought up the idea of the "macho" aspect of the sports world. While I have played sports as well for parts of my life this was always the one thing that really repulsed me. I also like that you brought up women in sports. I personally feel like it teaches poor self image issues to those who participate. While certain aspects of it could be good as far as team work and support, it still puts the idea into the head of young women that they have to look or act a certain way. I'm no expert though as I have never been a cheerleader. It was nice to see that you really thought critically about the subject and tried to explore a few different parts of it rather than sticking to one.
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