Football is by all means an American sport and as American as apple pie. Since the day a baby is born in America whether it be a boy or a girl, one of the first words they learn to say is ball, and after a few months they add the word foot in front of the word ball, and by the time you know it your baby boy is playing football, and your little girl is cheering "Go Cowboys go!" and with out intention their cultural identity starts. .
As far back as I can remember, every year, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends would take turns gathering at the different homes to watch this event called Superbowl. It was something that could not be missed because if you did you were considered weird. At the time I was to young to understand it all, but I knew we had to be there because everyone else was going to be there. .
The faithful congregation would gather in the living room or outside in the patio and sit around the T.V. to give it their undivided attention. They treated the Superbowl as a civil religion where not their children, pets, spouses, or even a wedding in the family could make them miss this "sacred" event.
Even now this is still a social norm. People are still gathering to watch men run around in their tight pants throwing around a football, while their fans cuss, spit, drink alcohol, and yell at the T.V. as if their convinced they can be heard. Why this is exciting is beyond me, but again its very normal.
But it does not stop there. The next day and the day after that, people are still talking about it and the events that took place before, during, and after. It is like a never-ending socialization process. Although this is good because it brings people together, it can also be bad.
Studies have shown that although the crime rate as well as automobile accidents are low, the number of DWIs issued is outrageous. Also, spousal (wife) abuse is at its most high. Maybe because husbands will not tolerate their wives telling them not to go or it could be that their favorite team lost and they go home and take it out on their wives.
Sociological Perspectives: Functionalism Functionalism is a macro concept of institutions, practices, and entire societies as they are created, maintained, and evolved in regards to the members within each. ... For American Football, the SuperBowl is the most important game of the season. ...