Fun, fervor or fitness? : sporting cultures and happiness

Authors

Brian BRIDGES, Department of Politics and Sociology, Lingnan University, Hong Kong; Centre for Asian Pacific Studies, Lingnan University, Hong Kong

Document Type

Book chapter

Source Publication

Happiness and public policy : theory, case studies and implications

Publication Date

1-1-2006

First Page

221

Last Page

234

Publisher

Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract

All cultures have played games or sports, although the forms and formats have undoubtedly changed over time. Today, for many people sport is about exercise, leisure, and doing things for fun, but clearly it is also much more than that. At an institutionalized level sport is an activity that is both strenuous and involves competition, sometimes intense competition. Yet it should also be enjoyable for both players and spectators. According to one nineteenth century etymologist, sport means “mirth”, being derived form the medieval English word “disporten”, to amuse (Tomlinson 1999, p. 5).

Additional Information

ISBN of the source publication: 9780230288027

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Bridges, B. (2006). Fun, fervor or fitness?: Sporting cultures and happiness. In Y.-k. Ng & L. S. Ho (Eds.), Happiness and public policy: Theory, case studies and implications (pp. 221-234). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.