Contrasting Sporting Cultures: The South vs. New England Colonies

Abstract

Name: Sports in the South and New England Colonies Sports have a long history within the United States. The Southern and the New England colonies serve as among the colonies where other than early farming, sports also played a significant role in defining peoples engagement. However, the Southern provided a healthier sporting environment as compared to the New England colony. The attitude towards sport amongst the European settlers was strongly influenced by religion. What does this imply? The differences towards sports within the South and New England were based on the influences that the religious leaders/beliefs had towards sport. The Puritan dominated New England believed that one’s use of time was accountable to God. Since sports defined fun time, the Puritans viewed it as a waste of time subjecting its people to idleness, thus ignoring their belief of "all-time was sacred (Davies, 2016).” Most sports were considered idle activities that did not contribute to society's well-being compared to devoting their time to God. They chose to pray and work; thus, overcoming the will/urge to play proved a more incredible morality achievement. Puritans subjected those who devoted their time in sports to stocks that would later even claim their lives. However, as colonists arrived, the sport was accepted, making many people detach themselves from churches. Hunting, among other games, was allowed for sport with strict observation of the Sabbath as all had to devote their time to God. Such an attitude hindered the growth of the sport in this region in a significant way. On the other hand, the South was far less restrictive, outstandingly giving room for sports. Unlike the New England colonies, Southern Colonies consisted of Catholics, Baptists, and Methodists whose attitude towards sport was very positive. However, there were differences in social-economic status that sport generally reflected as the poor and the rich had their...