The Issue of Violence and Aggression in Competitive Sport

Violence has always been part of human nature. We see it every day in our life’s. In our homes, our schools, our communities, from historical times to the present. In today’s society, we are always shown with violent images every day, through the war coverage that is happening around the world in the media, the recent shootings on campuses and churches and mosque, the shoot-outs with the police, and movies and videogames that portray and seem to glorify violence and murder. And we see this act of aggression and violence seemingly increase in the sports worlds.

Competitive sport understandably involves a certain amount of aggressive play, as it is in the nature of sports, that some form of physical contact is required, for example, both, MMA and boxing both physical contacts, like punching, throwing to score points. While other sports, such as rugby, and football and even basketball, requires players to tackle the ball to win back the ball. But the acts of true violence cross a line that should never be crossed. Sadly, it is a line being crossed with distressing frequency. Some athletes used violent tactics to gain advantage over its opponent by intentional injuring or foul play to stop an opponent to win at all cost, and there are some coaches who use sport violence as part of their strategy to defeat an opposing team. Spectators has also shown their support of the violent behaviour when they cheer when a brawl breaks out on the pitch between players or even when a violent act occur, these could all be an influential factor that promotes sports violence. Violence is visible in today’s sport scene. Whether because of the increasing violent incidents in the sports, or even the world. Increasing attentions from the media when a violent act occurs, violence is more prevalent in sport today than in past years. Undeniably, due to the use of these violent tactics, fights amongst the athletes and between athletes and spectators, post-game riots, and hazing incidents make the news headlines with increasing regularity. Given the prevalence of increasingly aggressive behaviour and outright violence in sport, and the concern that sport-related violence goes beyond the playing field, the question arises as to just what ethically acceptable boundaries regarding sport and violence are.

Whatever the reason may be, fans demand and crave for a certain level of violence, at least for some sports. In hockey, for example, studies have shown that more violence leads to higher attendance at the National Hockey League games -- even though excessive aggression reduces a team's chance of winning. Also, the wildly brutal sport of mixed martial arts is also growing rapidly over the years.

In conclusion, when violence increases in sports, fan attendance and TV viewership also goes up, this could then increase revenue for the sports itself, as viewership is high, therefore, violence in sports is inevitable, as it increases viewership and revenue for the sports itself so it will be here to stay. However, to reduce high levels of violence in sports, our culture as a whole, needs to do some major self-reflection, re-examine the way our society defines manhood and stop encouraging boys and men to value toughness, and rough play over respect and fair play.

By coming down hard on these violent acts, by punishing and posting heavy fines to those doing such act or even permanent banning of such athletes, to show that, such act is not tolerated. The different association in the sporting world, governing body of the sports and media can do a lot to more to promote the true sprit of sportsmen like characteristic rather then condoning such act of sports violence.