Question 1

Organized sports provide young men with
A) attention and an ability to attract the interest of females.
B) escape from parental demands and nagging about homework and getting an afterschool job.
C) recognition and acceptance, but only if they are as good as or better than others.
D) All of these are true, according to Messner.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

In order to write the article "Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities," Michael Messner
A) did a content analysis of newspapers and sports magazines, including their photos.
B) read novels about sports and autobiographies of sports heroes.
C) interviewed former athletes.
D) observed male children playing sports such as Little League baseball, pick-up basketball, and high school football for several years.

Accepted Answer

Michael Messner interviewed former athletes to gather insights for his article on how organized sports contribute to the construction of masculinities.

Question 3

In explaining why they played or currently play sports, Messner found that many males say
A) "it just comes naturally."
B) "my mom wants [or wanted] me to."
C) "being an athlete gives [or gave] me social respect and status."
D) "it keeps [or kept] me out of trouble."

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

In Messner's study, it appears that the prime motivation for males to do sports seriously is
A) the desire to please their fathers.
B) the opportunity to have a close relationship with other boys and men, while conforming to societal expectations of masculinity.
C) to gain social status and praise from people who wouldn't otherwise know they exist.
D) the hope for a professional career and the wealth it brings.

Accepted Answer

Messner found that the main motivation for males to take sports seriously was to conform to societal expectations of masculinity and gain acceptance from other boys and men. They viewed sports as a way to establish and maintain their masculinity, and to develop close, homosocial relationships with other males. Other factors such as impressing others or the hope of a professional career were not found to be as important.

Question 5

Messner found, in comparing the athletic careers of boys in middle-class families to boys in poor or working-class families, that
A) poor and working-class boys value sports almost entirely for the social respect it gives them, while middle-class boys worry about being labeled "jocks" and unintelligent.
B) sports are more valued and promoted in middle-class communities.
C) middle-class boys see sports as one of many possible opportunities for economic advancement, while poor and working-class boys see sports as one of only a few avenues that lead to success.
D) compared to middle-class boys, working-class boys suffer more injuries that cut their careers short.

Accepted Answer

Messner found that middle-class boys view sports as one of many opportunities for economic advancement, whereas poor and working-class boys often see sports as one of the few available paths to success.

Quiz 15: Michael a Messner, Boyhood, Organized Sports and the Construction of Masculinities

Organized sports provide young men with

In order to write the article "Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities," Michael Messner

In explaining why they played or currently play sports, Messner found that many males say

In Messner's study, it appears that the prime motivation for males to do sports seriously is

Messner found, in comparing the athletic careers of boys in middle-class families to boys in poor or working-class families, that