The Cultural Significance of Sports
Throughout the world there are many different traditions and ways of celebrating race, religion, culture, and even sports. Sometimes these sports may be more important to some people. This is because a sport can say so much about a certain country. Some countries have more than one national sport. A country that this includes, is in fact, America. Americas national sport has been baseball. Although, after time has gone on, some argue that the new national sport is football (“America’s National,” 2013). This is definitely something to be true considering all the fans and the money that is being put toward this every day. It is a dramatic change of how much more popular football has come. The upbringing of new generations also cause these sorts of differences. Once one has love for a sport in never goes away. The knowledge and love for sports is something to take into consideration when comparing both Americas football and baseball to the national sport of Japan, Sumo Wrestling; Madagascar, Rugby Union; and Sikkim, paragliding. (“Countries and Their,” n.d.).
The national sport of Japan is sumo wrestling (“Countries and Their,” n.d.). which is something that can be pointed out as different and the same as both American baseball and football. Comparing Sumo wrestling to baseball is hard to do. Sumo wrestling can involve both male and female, while baseball only includes male. Baseball has almost no contact and a whole teams to rely on every mistake or success. Sumo wrestling however has only one floor and only a one on one game. However, comparing it to football is much different. Although football has a team as well as baseball, sumo and football are much more relatable. They both show a sign of aggression. They put into human contact and almost an excitement of pain to satisfy others. Both countries show the joy of seeing one person be able to win and the other side being in pain. This definitely summarizes each culture by demonstrating individual violence throughout Japan to show dominance. Whereas America shows more of the team aspect for more viewers.
Moving to Madagascar whose national sport is Rugby Union (“Countries and Their,” n.d.). Can almost be related to football and have differences from baseball. All of football, baseball, and rugby have a field and a stadium where fans can go and watch. They all include having a team and a keeping of score. However, baseball is not as physical as rugby. Football and rugby are both similar to showing aggression. Fans get excited to see how physical these contact sports can be. They are all a battle to the finish. Rugby in Madagascar involves both male and female teams. Again, while football only includes a male team in America. These cultural differences show that in America, men are what brings in all the money to certain sports. This is because of the more physical ability men have compared to women. However, in other countries, Madagascar includes, they are usually more fair on the gender equality by an almost equal amount of income. This cultural difference is showed by not knowing the difference between male and female athletic ability. In Madagascar, they have always been use to gender equality. Whereas America is still leaning more toward the men being the providers, and the females get to sit and watch.
Now going to a new country, Sikkim, whose national sport is paragliding (“Countries and Their,” n.d.). This is always interesting to see how Sikkim does not have very many popular sports at all compared to America. Paragliding is something done by only one individual. Although the measures, time, and distance is measures to compete it can be comparable. In football, it is measures by yards to distinguish a first or second down. Also, baseball is measures by the speed of the pitcher, likewise the batter. Although football is much more contact, a paraglider still has much individual contact with the ground itself. The cultural difference refers to Sikkim because much more relaxed and peaceful to enjoy their day in peace. Whereas America is much more open and violent to have a upright setting.
Being able to look at the differences in sports is always super amazing. It tells a lot just about a certain country itself. These all can be related and have differences based on not only the sport, but the fan base around it. The different sports have made a realization of the different cultures. These cultural differences include having an individual dominance in Japan; A gender mutual sports career in Madagascar; and a peaceful setting in Sikkim. Having different cultures and a different way of life is what affects the different national sports around the world. It is important to realize these differences to understand each sport, as well as each culture.