I take my customary place near midfield to observe today's action. This time, however, I stand beneath an umbrella to protect myself from the torrential downpour from above. The desert southwest is taking its biggest drenching in recent memory. The fields are soggy and muddy, and the sun seems to have taken a leave of absence.
Players, coaches, parents, and fans begin to arrive at the field about 45 minutes before the scheduled kickoff. Unlike the previous week, there does not appear to be a sizable gap in the social statuses of the two teams. They both seem to be primarily upper-middle class. Players from both teams arrive in brand name warmup jackets and pants.
Parents begin to fill up the sideline. Most are under umbrellas and holding cups of coffee. Unlike last week, parents of the two teams seem to have an interest in each other. Friendly conversation can be heard taking place up and down the sideline. The most common questions are about previous results in the league and the opposite team's most exciting players. In addition to talk about soccer, a lot of friendly banter is also taking place.
Both teams have organized warmups run by the coaches. One team plays a significant amount of keep away, and they look like they will emphasize possession of the ball. The other team does lots of shooting and long passing. The drills a team chooses to use in warmup usually hint toward the type of soccer they are going to try to play. At this point, it looks like the first team will possess the ball and go about business in an organized, controlled way, while the other team will try to use fast counter attacks and precise long balls to undo their opponent.
The game starts, and my predictions prove to be almost spot on. The first team dominates possession, but the second team still looks dangerous when they win the ball. There is no clear juggernaut.
As the game becomes more chippy, the parents start to get after each other a little bit. Nothing is blatantly disrespectful, but there are lots of backhanded comments and subtle digs.
One man in particular is very loud and fired up. He seems to forget that this is just a match between thirteen year-olds, not the World Cup. His comments are directed toward anyone who will listen. The referee, the opposing players, and the opposing fans are all subject to his abuse. After a particularly nasty comment to the referee, his wife lets him know that he is out of hand.
The game concludes without incident, and people disperse quickly because of the rain.
I found it very funny that the parents were almost making it a contest to see who could be more civil before the game, but that all went out the window the second the whistle blew. To be honest, all the good will before the game seemed a little bit phony. I don't think that this type of interaction is uncommon for people of this social class. In fact, I think it is a bit of a stereotype, and these people played right into it.
Ethnography
Showing posts with label Hank Schrader. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hank Schrader. Show all posts
September 21, 2014
September 14, 2014
Clash of Clans
It is overcast and early afternoon as I find a patch of grass to claim as my own for the next hour and a half or so. Around midfield, this area should offer a great view of the match and spectators who attend. Typically more interested in the game, today will be a different experience as I attempt to observe and understand habits of the supporters of both teams.
Right off, it is easy to see that the teams come from very different backgrounds. Players of one team arrive in various mid-high end cars and SUVs, outfitted from head to toe in matching brand name gear. These players clearly understand that they come from money, and they act accordingly. Their warm up is organized and disciplined. The players communicate professionally, but there is a certain essence of childhood enjoyment that seems to be missing from the situation. These players are here to carry out business first and foremost.
In stark contrast to the first team, the second team arrives in old cars, big trucks, and dusty SUVs. Each player comes dressed in whatever gear they can gather, with the only consistency being the black and yellow jersey that distinguishes them as a team. It is rare to see two players wearing identical shorts or socks. Somewhat surprisingly, these players still wear the most recent and in demand cleats on their feet. Based on shoes alone, it would be impossible to guess which team is wealthy and which team is not.
Parents of the two teams are almost exactly what one would expect after seeing their children. The parents of the first team chat quietly in small groups. They are dressed casually, but it is still easy to tell that they are not hurting for money. The fathers wear the latest brand name tennis shoes and expensive sunglasses, even though the cloud cover has effectively eliminated the need for them. The mothers are dressed in athletic jackets from Adidas and Nike that do not come cheap. Parents from the other team wear jeans, the fathers in boots and mothers in flip flops. They lay down blankets to sit on.
The game starts, and the first team dominates possession, looking very organized but failing to find that cutting edge that will reward them with a goal. The second team chases tirelessly, working very hard for any possession of the ball that they can get. Although they have very little of the ball, their attacks still look potent. When they win possession, they get the ball forward in a hurry to the big striker who looks to be their best chance at winning the game. The parents of the second team cheer very loudly. The parents of the first team are supportive but quiet, almost as if their social status requires them to be refined and proper at all times.
The game ends 4-1 to the first team. Their organized style of play proved to be too complex for their opponents to stymie, and they walk away comfortable winners. The first team departs rather quickly, while the second team stays at the field and socializes.
I found it to be a little weird that the two groups of parents and fans did not interact at all. There was not the typical conversation or even bickering that one would expect at a youth sporting event. I feel that this event was a good microcosm for society.
Right off, it is easy to see that the teams come from very different backgrounds. Players of one team arrive in various mid-high end cars and SUVs, outfitted from head to toe in matching brand name gear. These players clearly understand that they come from money, and they act accordingly. Their warm up is organized and disciplined. The players communicate professionally, but there is a certain essence of childhood enjoyment that seems to be missing from the situation. These players are here to carry out business first and foremost.
In stark contrast to the first team, the second team arrives in old cars, big trucks, and dusty SUVs. Each player comes dressed in whatever gear they can gather, with the only consistency being the black and yellow jersey that distinguishes them as a team. It is rare to see two players wearing identical shorts or socks. Somewhat surprisingly, these players still wear the most recent and in demand cleats on their feet. Based on shoes alone, it would be impossible to guess which team is wealthy and which team is not.
Parents of the two teams are almost exactly what one would expect after seeing their children. The parents of the first team chat quietly in small groups. They are dressed casually, but it is still easy to tell that they are not hurting for money. The fathers wear the latest brand name tennis shoes and expensive sunglasses, even though the cloud cover has effectively eliminated the need for them. The mothers are dressed in athletic jackets from Adidas and Nike that do not come cheap. Parents from the other team wear jeans, the fathers in boots and mothers in flip flops. They lay down blankets to sit on.
The game starts, and the first team dominates possession, looking very organized but failing to find that cutting edge that will reward them with a goal. The second team chases tirelessly, working very hard for any possession of the ball that they can get. Although they have very little of the ball, their attacks still look potent. When they win possession, they get the ball forward in a hurry to the big striker who looks to be their best chance at winning the game. The parents of the second team cheer very loudly. The parents of the first team are supportive but quiet, almost as if their social status requires them to be refined and proper at all times.
The game ends 4-1 to the first team. Their organized style of play proved to be too complex for their opponents to stymie, and they walk away comfortable winners. The first team departs rather quickly, while the second team stays at the field and socializes.
I found it to be a little weird that the two groups of parents and fans did not interact at all. There was not the typical conversation or even bickering that one would expect at a youth sporting event. I feel that this event was a good microcosm for society.
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