Sweat and sour. An approach to the sociology of violence in male amateur team sports in France

Abstract

This article focuses on the problem of violence occurring in male amateur team sports. On the basis of a series of surveys performed between 2002 and 2010, we propose to contrast indigenous explanatory categories with tools for objective measurement and appreciation. This study is structured by this central question: What status can be attributed to the explanations provided by those who find themselves closest to the phenomenon studied by the sociologist? To answer, our field researchers reviewed the apparent influences of the types of sport practiced, the resources of the clubs, the characteristics of their environment and their athletes. Finally, the article shows that the indigenous categories can contribute to better understanding of the social dimension when they are contrasted with the facts.