Social Status of Indian Elite Sportsmen in Perspective of Social Stratification and Mobility

Abstract

Sooial stratification as a socio-cultural perspective has been shown related to life chances, consequences and life style in general. An individual in a social stra tum is so circumstanced that he is destined to develop a particular behavioral dispo sition in general. In line with this context, a few studies have been conducted revealing that participation in sports both as recreational and competitive, is significantly related to the various social classes or strata. Incidentally, such studies have been conducted in developed countries. The studies in socialist countries have revealed that sports participation is open to every one. India's position is quite interesting in this respect as it is a fast developing country and gradually the tradi tional social stratification is also loosing its old but strong hold. The present study has been undertaken with two major hypotheses. First, the participation in sports at higher competition level requires a certain reinforcement induced through social stratification both the traditional and newly emerging one. Second, achievement in sports provides some leaverage for social mobiblity among the sportsmen. Sportsmen from seven sports numbering 180 who came to attend coaching camps to prepare for major international encounters, were included in the sample. The data were collected with the help of standard instrument in the form of a questionnaire. The caste and class status of these respondents were established in a very objective manner and various social indices were considered for this purpose. The findings of the study revealed that: I. In terms of traditional caste system, most of the sportsmen came from higher castes. II. In view of the emerging class system, most of them belong to the middle class. III. Mobility in a certain aspect can be observed. IV. Religion has been seen as influencing sports participation. V. Further, in short, there has been seen a relationship between the type of sport and strata. Some of the stratification indices were highly related to the type of social stratification, i.e. caste and class. There is sufficient evidence that there is a social hierarchy of sports which follows the status hierarchy in stratification.