ports. The father image in a boys mind was that of an invincible, powerful man that they could never even come close to. Obtaining respect from someone who is held in such high esteem is very inspiring. This connection with the father was the main push for much of the athletic achievement. The early commitment to sports that these men had as boys assisted in the development of their masculine identity. Because of sports, these boys were able to identify masculinity with competition, physical strength, and skills. Finding a connection with other guys was also important for these boys, as they encountered insecurity, loneliness, and the need to connect with others. However, sports allowed a connection without intimate attachments. Sports are extremely competitive, with the emphasis on winning and being the best. Positive reinforcement, cheers, pats on the back, etc., shows athletes that they are winners. Boys are trained to strive for this approval, and therefore, strive to be the absolute best. For those who had a natural inclination towards sports, this was a lot of fun and very rewarding. Nevertheless, being the winner is fundamental.The status difference held some other differences for the athletes. The tendency of lower class athletes to be more committed to athletics was revealed. It became apparent that those that came from a better background had more opportunities and more role models that mirrored those opportunities. The lower class athletes were drawn to athletics because their world of options was much more limited. Thus, athletics contributed to the development of many masculine identities. Competition, strength, and skills were paramount. The athletic world gave all boys a way to relate to each other with the safety of not becoming intimate. Whether rich or poor, the boys all looked to the praise of family and peers as a reward for their acheivements. ...
