Final answer:
The change would be to emphasize sports as educational tools, guided by the theory of functionalism, which advocates for sports' role in promoting social cohesion and academic performance among young people.
Step-by-step explanation:
If I could bring about one change in the meaning, purpose, or organization of sports, it would be to emphasize sports as a crucial educational tool rather than solely a competitive endeavor. Specifically, ensuring sports inculcate life skills, endorse social development, and promote academic performance among young people. The theory that would guide my selection of this change is functionalism, which sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. From a functionalist standpoint, sports serve many purposes, including the socialization of youth, the promotion of physical and mental well-being, and the reinforcement of societal norms and values.
Considering the role that sports can play for young people, a functionalist vantage point would best support making this change. It emphasizes the integrative function of sports in society, promoting cohesion, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. This perspective would argue that sports should be organized to maximize their educational and social benefits, rather than focusing mainly on winning or profitability.
For example, if we take football (soccer), which is highly popular in many cultures worldwide, an anthropologist using an evolutionary perspective might analyze this sport as a reflection of ingrained social and physical competencies that developed historically for survival. On the other hand, an anthropologist using a functionalist approach would examine how football serves various societal needs, such as providing a community hub, enabling social interactions, and reinforcing collective identities.