Читать книгу Introducing Anthropology - Laura Pountney - Страница 125

Humans have a basic anatomy, and there are limits to what the body can do; for example, it cannot be trained to fly. Doing physical activities produces positive hormonal changes that result in feelings of wellbeing. In more competitive sports, people can experience an adrenaline rush, which is a pleasurable feeling. Within these limits, the body can be trained to do many things that are beyond the capabilities of most people. Sociologist Loïc Wacquant (2004) used participant observation to study boxing culture in the deprived area of Woodlawn, on the south side of Chicago, USA. He spent three years as an amateur boxer and joined the gym himself. He also conducted research on racial and class inequality in the city. In Western cultures, competitive sports are valued and so form a means for people to gain self-esteem. Many people from all social classes use sport as a vehicle for gaining a respected place in society. Wacquant found that many young men from disadvantaged backgrounds in society saw boxing as a way of doing something with their lives. They experienced many problems of racism and discrimination, and Wacquant found that sport was seen as a way out of the ghetto.

Wheelchair basketball players must train their upper bodies and arms to become more adept at their sport. (Pierreselim / Wikimedia Commons)