Contents
1 Introduction
2 Spotlight on Football Hooligans – A Theoretical Background
2.1 Defining the Terms “Hooligan” and “Hooliganism”
2.2 The History of Football Hooliganism in England
2.3 The Subculture of Football Hooligans – Specific Characteristics, Attitudes and Behaviour Patterns
2.4 A Typical Day of Football Hooligans
3 The Representation of Masculinity in John King’s The Football Factory
3.1 The Meaning of Violence and Gang Fights
3.2 The Importance of Male Bonding
3.3 Male Sexuality and the Protagonist’s Attitude towards Women
4 Conclusion
References
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The reason why the phenomenon of hooliganism is so strongly linked to football is because this kind of sport is seen “as an appropriate venue for [...] aggressive rivalries, partly because of the working class roots and traditions of the game but also because of the culturally prescribed ‘territorial’ and masculine values which are intrinsic to it.” (Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research 2001: 1) Thus, there is no doubt that typical attitudes and emotions representing “true masculinity” (Holt 1989: 8), such as the celebration of physical strength and the loyalty to ‘mates’ or to a specific territory, are traditional and popular features of football culture. [...]
Since meanwhile, the male-dominated subculture of football hooligans has not only grown to a serious problem in England but also in many other countries around Europe, football-related antisocial behaviour has become a subject to much discussion about masculinity and subcultures in the fields of academics and the media over the past several years and decades. Consequently, my paper aims at presenting football hooliganism as a male subculture with its own values and rituals, which are clearly different from those of our dominant culture, and, furthermore, it tries to analyse what images of masculinity are associated with the subculture of – particularly English – football hooligans. Therefore, my paper will first provide some important theoretical background information about hooligans, which are necessary in order to get into the topic of football hooliganism more elaborately. Then, it will analyse why hooligans belong to a certain form of subculture by presenting and explaining specific characteristics, attitudes and behaviour patterns of football hooligans, and, finally, it shall explore what kind of masculinity is represented by the football hooligans described in John King’s novel The Football Factory.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Spotlight on Football Hooligans – A Theoretical Background
- Defining the Terms “Hooligan” and “Hooliganism”
- The History of Football Hooliganism in England
- The Subculture of Football Hooligans - Specific Characteristics, Attitudes and Behaviour Patterns
- A Typical Day of Football Hooligans
- The Representation of Masculinity in John King's The Football Factory
- The Meaning of Violence and Gang Fights
- The Importance of Male Bonding
- Male Sexuality and the Protagonist's Attitude towards Women
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to present football hooliganism as a male subculture with unique values and rituals, distinct from mainstream culture. It analyzes the images of masculinity associated with English football hooligans. The paper first provides a theoretical background on hooligans, then examines hooligan subculture characteristics, attitudes, and behavior patterns, and finally explores masculinity representation in John King's The Football Factory.
- The definition and history of football hooliganism in England.
- The characteristics, attitudes, and behavioral patterns of football hooligans as a subculture.
- The representation of masculinity within the context of football hooliganism.
- The role of violence and male bonding in the football hooligan subculture.
- An analysis of masculinity as portrayed in John King's The Football Factory.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of football hooliganism within the broader history of spectator violence at sporting events. It uses George Orwell's observations on the competitive spirit in sports to highlight the inherent potential for aggression and rivalry. The chapter introduces the prevalence of hooliganism in England, particularly its link to football, and its association with working-class masculinity. It outlines the paper's aim to explore football hooliganism as a male subculture and analyze its representation of masculinity, particularly within the context of John King's The Football Factory.
Spotlight on Football Hooligans – A Theoretical Background: This chapter delves into the definition of "hooligan" and "hooliganism," exploring the etymology of the term and its contemporary meaning. It differentiates between spontaneous, low-level disorder and the more organized violence of established hooligan firms. The chapter traces the history of football hooliganism in England, highlighting the shift from individual acts of violence in the 19th and early 20th centuries to the more organized and widespread hooliganism of the late 1960s and beyond. It emphasizes the role of working-class backgrounds and the ritualistic nature of hooligan activity, such as pre-match gatherings and planned confrontations with rival firms.
Keywords
Football hooliganism, masculinity, subculture, violence, England, working class, male bonding, John King, The Football Factory, gang violence, ritual, social behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Masculinity in Football Hooliganism
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper analyzes football hooliganism as a male subculture in England, focusing on its unique values, rituals, and representations of masculinity. It uses John King's The Football Factory as a primary case study.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the definition and history of football hooliganism in England; the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors of hooligans as a subculture; the representation of masculinity within this subculture; the role of violence and male bonding; and a detailed analysis of masculinity as portrayed in The Football Factory.
What is the methodology used in this analysis?
The paper combines a theoretical background on football hooliganism with a close reading of John King's The Football Factory to explore the representation of masculinity within this context. It draws on historical accounts and sociological perspectives to understand the subculture's dynamics.
What is the significance of John King's The Football Factory?
The Football Factory serves as a crucial case study to examine how masculinity is constructed and performed within the context of English football hooliganism. The novel provides insights into the violence, male bonding, and attitudes towards women within this subculture.
How does the paper define "hooliganism"?
The paper distinguishes between spontaneous disorder and the organized violence of established hooligan "firms." It traces the historical evolution of hooliganism in England, highlighting the shift from individual acts to more structured, ritualistic behavior.
What is the role of violence and male bonding in football hooliganism?
The paper investigates the significance of violence and male bonding as integral aspects of the football hooligan subculture. Violence is not simply viewed as random acts but rather as a ritualized expression of group identity and masculine assertion. Male bonding is analyzed as a crucial element in maintaining group cohesion and loyalty.
What are the characteristics of football hooligans as a subculture?
The paper explores specific characteristics, attitudes, and behavior patterns that distinguish football hooligans as a distinct subculture, examining their social backgrounds, rituals, and interactions with mainstream society.
What is the historical context of football hooliganism in England?
The paper provides a historical overview of football hooliganism in England, tracing its development from individual acts of violence to the more organized and widespread phenomenon of the later 20th century, paying attention to its association with working-class masculinity.
What are the key terms used in the analysis?
Key terms include football hooliganism, masculinity, subculture, violence, England, working class, male bonding, John King, The Football Factory, gang violence, ritual, and social behavior.
- Quote paper
- Master of Education Thomas Schachtebeck (Author), 2007, Football Hooligans in England, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/165038
