“Skateboarding is for the socially awkward,” I thought to myself dreading going into this project. However, after spending several hours with skateboarders Mike Thacker, Cassious Brownlee, Lance Love, Jarrell Harrison and Sean Hough, I quickly learned that my assumptions, along with most others’ were misleading. Skateboarding is a very respectable, intricate sport that involves passion, heart, determination and perseverance. Skateboarders are risk-takers in the most literal sense of the word. They are dedicated individuals that spend countless days, months, and even years perfecting their craft. Throughout the duration of my adventurous field study, I became more observant about the patterns and distinctions within the social hierarchy of skateboarding.
A key component in determining who climbs the social ladder is charisma. The ability to attract large crowds and charm them with personality alone is important. Although not the only method for doing so, charisma is definitely the most important. It is because of charisma that politicians and presidents are elected. Charisma or referent power is one of the highest powers utilized by mankind. According to Dr. Ken Petress, professor of communications at the University of Maine, “Charismatic power is that aura possessed by only a few individuals in our midst; it is characterized by super confidence, typical attractiveness, social adroitness, amiability, sharpened leadership skills, and heightened charm.” Although Cassious, Lance, Jarrell and Mike possess a number of these characteristics, Sean exemplifies and embodies charisma beyond that of his crew.
Another major component that coincides with charisma is an outgoing personality. When I first approached Sean Hough, 19, he warne...
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...e irony of the situation. A car is important because skateboarders generally like a change of scenery. A trip to the pier of the “The Yard”, the nearest vertical park, help skaters increase their skill and expand their repertoire. Cars also help them to get to social places like the mall where they can “pick up chicks” and cruise around. Cars attract those of the opposite sex in most case, which adds to popularity.
The hierarchical system of skateboarders is indeed complex and takes on a variety of forms and stages. Based on what I have learned and witnessed, popularity is the culture of skateboarding parallels that of the rest of modern society. Great skateboarders are well- rounded individuals who are socially apt in all situations. They are exposed to more than just skateboarding, but are involved in the social life activities in which non- skaters partake.
The presence of activity and sport is found within cultures and societies all over the world, and throughout history. Activity in the form of sport can often be the purest form of expression for a society or individual. The sporting world is often thought to be a microcosm of the actual world with the problems and issues of society still being ever present in the sporting community. Since sport can be used as an expression of self, it is no wonder that sport is often a reflection of the society that it occupies. One such society that was deeply impacted by the role of sport is that of Native American boarding school students in the 1800’s and 1900’s. These students lived tough lives but just like how it had helped other cultural societies, sport was able to provide these students with basic needs of autonomy and pride.
Charisma is defined in the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as “a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure” (Merriam-Webster Online). Throughout history successful public speaking is a dominant trait for influential historical figures: persuasive speakers use charisma and charm to capture their audience and spark a difference in society. Political figures use charisma in order to campaign and promote their own political ambitions. Every fourth year a politician is elected President of the United States. Upon taking office, that politician, recites an Inaugural Address addressing his/her plans for the presidency. On Tuesday January 20th 1981, Ronald Reagan, remembered in history as the Great Communicator, recited his highly influential inaugural address on the West Front of the Capitol. Using his charismatic abilities Ronald Reagan recited an influential inaugural address that connected to the average American person. His inaugural address highlighted his own political beliefs and caused the Republican Party to regain its former strength.
The first skateboards were made in the 1950’s being used as an exciting activity to take part in when the waves were down. From then and now the sport has changed tremendously, thanks to a group of young skaters from a slum area of Venice Beach or Dog-town, as the locals called it, known as the z-boys in the 1970’s. Even though skateboarding was already known and invented, the z-boys are the ones who made skating famous and took it to new heights in popularity. But how did they do this? The Z-boys made this sport what it is today, and played a very important part in the history and evolution of skateboard style and quality.
The cool-pose culture of young black men is gratifying. These young men are dependent on this life style of imitating hip-hop culture. The positive of adopting “cool pose” is the fact that it gives the individual a sense of belonging, confidence and success. Unfortunately the positives are derivative of the negatives. Though, much of the confidence and belonging comes from being a part of a group of people ...
It’s hard to believe that back in the early 1980’s people “perceived [snowboarders] as daredevil adolescents who posed a threat to skiers” (Shipley). Though the sport was banned from almost every resort, it grew to be so popular that the resorts could no longer ignore the moneymaking possibilities. Resorts realized that the average young person was abandoning the sport of skiing, and learning the new trend of snowboarding. Not only that, but the younger generation who was taking up a new winter sport would choose snowboarding over skiing. These days, resorts spend thousands of dollars to attract snowboarders to their resorts with claims of the biggest halfpipe or the best board park. But how did this sport explode onto the scene? To answer this question, a brief history is in order.
Kirk was the prominent displayer of this trait. He had an aura about him that drew people to him. He had legitimate power due to his ranking and also had factual knowledge. He also demonstrated referent power, because people looked up to him. Saavik and Clark Terrell are both examples of people who admire him.
Coakley, J. J. (2007). Sports in society: issues & controversies (9th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Is based on perception and how people perceive a leader and how well the person is able to communicate and inspire others will greatly affect how successful they can become. For example, a principal in a school has to have a certain amount of charisma, being able to communicate to the staff, parents, and student to about the vision of school. Much like a politician, the principal has to exude confidence in their vision but also must open up to others so that can align themselves with their followers. The principal can reward their followers by mentoring, training, and sharing leadership roles so that their followers can grow and becomes administrators
College is a time for young people to develop and grow not only in their education, but social aspects as well. One of the biggest social scenes found around college campuses are athletic events, but where would these college sports be without their dedicated athletes? Student athletes get a lot of praise for their achievements on the field, but tend to disregard the work they accomplish in the classroom. Living in a college environment as a student athlete has a great deal of advantages as well as disadvantages that affect education and anti-intellectualism. Around the country, college athletic programs are pushing their athletes more and more every day.
In today’s society “reality television” and competitions that involve high risk behavior are extremely popular. In particular, the X Games are a great example of an extreme competition that attracts viewers from every age, race, and sex. Its popularity can be directly contributed to the fact that it involves high risk behavior, and competition. Two things that no warm blooded individual can resist. As sports around the globe become increasingly intense, there is always that drive for something more extreme. Something that contains more risk, more chance of injury, and something that makes you say, “Wow I didn’t even know that was possible!” The X Games has all this and more. The X Games stands for Extreme Games and that is exactly what they are. They are held all around the globe, but originated here in America. They contain such activities as biking, skating, in-line skating, street luge, freestyle motocross, and snowboarding. It is not just the normal forms of these recreational activities that attract viewers, it is the extreme forms. They take these activities to new levels in skate parks, on street courses, and on gigantic ramps and jumps. It is a competition involving style, air, and innovation. There is no doubt why it is appealing, but what caused it to get so popular?
Hoffman, Frank W., PHD, and Bailey, William G., MA, (1991). Sports & Recreation Fads. New York: The Haworth Press.
According to the theory of charismatic leadership, a charismatic leader is a leader who displays certain behaviors and expertise when certain situations exist, and this combination causes followers to attribute charisma back to the leader. Charisma is a trait that is being felt and then attributed to a leader by followers. This makes charisma rare but easily observed when in existence. Max Weber believed that Charisma occurs during a social crisis, when a leader emerges with a radical vision that offers a solution to the crisis (Yukl, 2006)
People who have become involved in sports and recreation develop a larger group of friends, receive more social support, and are more likely to engage in conversation with o...
Adolescents like to have a place they can call their own. In the fifties, teenagers hung out at the malt shop, sipping cherry cokes and rockin' with Elvis. Today, in small town USA, they're jam skating while listening to the favorite group of the month. I was amazed to find a microcosm of life blooming on a 70 x 160-foot cement slab known as a roller skating rink.
The checklist of behaviors and attitudes reflecting charisma showed that I am strongly charismatic. I think this is very accurate because I have often been described as likable by peers and acquaintances. Having this characteristic makes it easy when meeting new people or being referred to for a position or job opportunity. I have been referred by many adults for opportunities because of the charismatic behaviors they saw that I had, such as babysitting for younger and more energetic children or cheering up someone at the hospital or nursing home. Having worked in church ministry for a while, I was sometimes selected to lead others by standing out and going up to newcomers with a smile and charismatic attitude.