Social Sports Stratification in Flanders 1969-1999

This article provides substantial empirical evidence that significant social differences exist in sports involvement in Flanders. A 30-year follow-up study of social stratification in sports was carried out to find out (i) if sports participation in Flanders is still socially stratified, and (ii) if social changes occurred in the status sports pyramid over the years of investigation. Based upon the educational status, the professional status and the geographical status of male and female adults in Flanders, social stratification pyramids in sport were set up for 1969, 1979, 1989 and 1999. Although the amount of sports participation from 1969 until 1999 has increased for each socioprofessional status, a significant difference persists between the high and the low professional levels ( X² test for trend = 85.90; p<0.0001; df=1). The 1999 social sports pyramid continues to be socially stratified, and therefore confirms that sports participation still depends on socioprofessional status.