Law and order
Preindustrial Very little law and order and sports/games reflected this e.g. bear
knuckle fighting and mob football where the only rule was no murder.
Sports has little/no rules reflecting the lack of law and order in society.
Rules for sports/games were localised.
Post industrial Introduction of the police force 1977 meant a reduction in blood sports
e.g. bear knuckle fighting.
Upper class sports continued e.g. fox hunting.
RSPCA was formed to protect animals against violence.
Codification of sports brought about rules and regulations
20th century Fully established laws and sense of order in society
Sports were now fully codified to reduce any remaining violence
21st century Law and order continued to grow, and people’s awareness of their legal
rights also increased too.
Increased legal action in violence in sport e.g. banning orders for
hooligan spectators.
Racial and gender equality laws reducing discrimination in sport
Education and literacy
Preindustrial Only upper-class boys were educated and literate and working class and
females were generally illiterate
Working class could only play and understand sports with limited and
few rules, unwritten rules
Upper class played sports with complex rules e.g. real tennis
Post industrial Upper class boys attended public schools
State education came into place for working class boys and girls in 1870
Increased access to a range of sports as education improved
understanding and increased participation
20th century Education act in 1994 made pe compulsory and extra-curricular sport
important in all schools
Introduction of grammar schools (11+ academic test to enter) – could
access a wider range of sports especially expensive sports
21st century Pe continues to be a compulsory part of education.
PE can be taken at GCSE and A Level with increasing opportunities.
Inter and intra school competitions and opportunities.
Free paying schools still offer wider sporting opportunities