VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSIVENESS IN SPORTS. ETIOLOGY

The present paper analyses the causes that lead to violent behaviour in sport (from the social, economic, biological and psychological factors to the violent patterns promoted by mass media) and it identifies the measures that could be adopted for preventing and fighting against this widespread phenomenon in today’s society. The phenomenon of violence in sport appeared subsequent to the “Sport Revolution”, which occurred in the 19th century, when sport became a mass and democratic phenomenon. Today sport is accessible to all society members for whom it has acquired cultural and economic importance; however, it is generally agreed that sport events are more or less frequently accompanied by violent behaviour on the part of most or some of its supporters. This scientific article enumerates the causes that trigger violent behaviour in society: from the inner ones (tension, fear, lack of success, incapacity) to the social, biological, psychological and economic ones (lack of education, illnesses, trauma and poverty). Similarly, the present article analyses the influence of mass media upon human behaviour while taking into consideration two paradigms: there is a former paradigm, according to which mass media strongly influence human behaviour, by inculcating upon people violent reactions; there is a latter paradigm, according to which the influence of mass media on human behaviour is relatively insignificant for it is the individual that controls this influence. In this paper I have also analysed the risk factors that trigger violence and aggressiveness on stadiums, according to the inquiries made by the Ministry of Administration and Domestic Affairs. As solutions for violence prevention and deterrence, I have suggested: - the implementation of the objectives promoted by the Olympic Movement, which may contribute to the formation of a better and more peaceful world through the education of the youth in accordance with the principles and values of the Olympic spirit; the adoption of educative and social measures with a view to improving relationships between supporters and clubs by promoting dialogue with rival clubs, by using CCTVs, investing in infrastructure, consolidating the social role played by clubs, better organizing the ticket stalls, adopting a better legislation in the matter and by using well-organized police forces that are specialized in violence prevention on stadiums; - the adoption of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent behaviour code (by becoming a Satyagrahi, i.e. an adept of non-violence); - promoting physical education in schools and clubs for developing an ethical attitude in life; - cultivating a competition and fair-play spirit among the young people; - reinforcing European cooperation between schools, universities and clubs; - promoting an anti-doping attitude among the young people; - discouraging violent behaviour through education; - developing the team spirit through sport, including in corporations; - getting the old people involved in sport activities for improving their living standard and health condition; - consolidating the employers’ associations’ and labour union representatives’ interest in sport and competition. Violence in sport is a topic which remains open to interpretation and which will be further tackled by researchers and specialists in education and sociology. It remains a topic to be dealt with in mass-media while pointing out sensationalist and shocking pieces of news. It remains a topic of interest to authorities and civil society, which will try to prevent and fight against it. As a conclusion, this paper underlines the idea that the deterrence of violence is a sine qua non condition not only for sport events to be organized in a civilized manner, but also for the system of education to be successful