Values & Norms in Sport Critical Reflections on the Position and Meaning of Sport in Society

The central research question in this study is how values and norms manifest themselves in sport and what societal meanings they have. Contributions from several researchers in the field of sport provide a systematic treatment of values and norms in sport from a number of diverse perspectives. Hence, in the chapters of the book the central question is divided into different sub-questions. For example, how can the notion of value be considered in the context of sport? How should sports organizations deal with differences in motivation and expectations among different groups of sports participants? How do sports clubs react to changes in societal values and norms? What qualities and norms for quality do sports clubs have and which participants are attracted by these qualities? What norms and values should clubs and sports uphold to attract and keep youth members? What norms and values are reflected in the sports media's representation of gender and race/ethnicity? Which values and norms are sports policies based on and which social influences can be observed?

Johan Steenbergen is working as researcher of the research programme "Values and Norms in Sport". He has published several articles and books on the philosophy of sport with a particular emphasis on ethical issues. Paul De Knop is full professor at the Vnje Universiteit Brussel and extraordinary professor of "Social, Policy-oriented and Didactical Aspects of Sport and Physical Education in the Netherlands" - K.U. Brabant (Tilburg). He is chair of the "Values and Norms research programme". His research areas include sport sociology and sports management. Agnes Elling is currently working as a researcher and writing her thesis at the department of Leisure Studies at the Tilburg University. She is secretary of the "Values and Norms research programme'.