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Mighty Ducks: Movie Critique

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Mighty Ducks: Movie Critique
Movie Critique:
The Mighty Ducks - 1

Introduction The first “The Mighty Ducks” movie raises numerous aspects of sociology in sport that will be analyzed in this paper. The two aspects of sociology in sport that were prevalent in the Mighty Ducks movie were: ethics and gender. This movie provides an example of a character who begins the story as a morally bankrupt individual with a “win at all cost” attitude. Through his experience coaching a young hockey team, Bombay learns the true meaning of sport and transforms into ethically and morally sound individual. The first installment of the Mighty Ducks trilogy also presents an interesting case of a female skater who fulfills the stereotype that girls should figure skate and boys should play hockey. However, the mere inclusion of a girl on a boys hockey team also served to challenge the stereotype at a time when women’s hockey was not nearly as accepted as it is today. The Mighty Ducks Movie provides a study into an ethical transformation, and provides examples of both conforming and challenging gender stereotypes, while providing an engaging story in which appeals to members of society young and old alike.

Ethics: In the sporting world, athletes, coaches, managers, and fans face times when they must make ethical decisions. The moral values and character of the individual may be challenged during many different circumstances. Sometimes this will occur spontaneously within ones subconscious, other occasions it is thought out over a period of time. The Mighty Duck movie poses several situations in which the character’s ethics are in question. Early in the movie, Coach Bombay is sentenced to community service in which he must coach a pewee hockey team. This suggests the idea that sport alone has the capacity to teach morality and that it can eliminate deviance. This thinking leans predominantly on the positive aspects of sport, however in doing so, the movie neglected to question the morality of the “win at all



References: Coaching Association of Canada. (2012). Coaching 101 Retrieved April 6, 2012, from http://www.coach.ca/coaching-101-s1341 Coakley, J., & Donnelly, P. (2009). Sports in Society:Issues and controversies: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Kowalski, C. L., Edginton, C. R., Lankford, S. V., Waldron, J. J., Roberts-Dobie, S., & Nielsen, L. (2007). Coaching efficacy and volunteer youth soccer coaches. Asian Journal of Exercise & Sports Science, 4(1), 9-13. McMahon, D. (2010). Girls Play to Win Hockey. Chicago: Norwood House Press. Russell, J. S. (2011). The Ethics of Sports Coaching: Routledge. Walt Disney Pictures. (Stephen Herek) (1992). The Mighty Ducks.

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