The Social Role of Sports Events in Poland and Hungary

In the last years both in Hungary and in Poland the attendance of sports events has decreased among adolescents and adults. In their study the authors examine the reasons of this phenomenon.

Based on their cross-culture survey they analyse the following problems:

— Do the various social groups of the two nations (pupils of secondary school and their parents) attach social value to the sport-consuming?

— Why do some pupils and adults consider sports events, as a social value, and why do others not do so?

— To what extent do the different social groups realize their recognized value in this field?

The authors demonstrate that both - the Hungarian and Polish pupils and their parents recognize the social importance of the sports events but the content of their requirement has changed. Their expectations toward sports events are not any more of a primary sport character, but rather a cultural nature in the broad sense of the word.

The attendance of sports events will increase only then, when competitions and matches will better suit the new requirements.

The authors point out, that some sociological factors, such as: sex, dwelling place and occupation influence pupils' and adults' attitude towards sports events more than nationality.