Weekly Writing Challenge #2

Humans have an innate need for belonging. Since the beginning of humanity, humans have associated with others around them. According to Roy Baumeister and Mark Leary in “The Need to Belong (NTB): Belongingness and Human Performance,” ”The need of belonging in human beings is the intrinsic desire to develop and maintain a positive, durable, and noteworthy interpersonal relationship with another human being” (Baumeister, Leary 1). We seek happiness and satisfy that through developing and maintaining positive relationships with others. Sports is one of the ways that we fulfill that need in today’s society. Sports provides a greater identity that people can latch onto. It’s a talking point among strangers, an instant bond between two people wearing the same coloured shirts. For example, when the Philadelphia Eagles score a touchdown, complete strangers at the stadium are wrapping their arms around each other, high-fiving and clanking beers. Two people who would never have spoken to each other now share a bond through the team and become friends. Researchers at the University of South Alabama studied fans of different NHL teams in order to understand the motives behind members of a sports fan community. They interviewed the participants to find out what inspired them to seek out a community of like-minded sports fans, and most participants had a similar response. They found comfort in basking in the glory of a win or washing away the sorrows of a loss with others. The main motive behind members of a sports fan community was clear: they all wanted to find others who shared their same emotions. Sports have such an impact on a fan’s self-esteem. Every game, the fan’s pride, confidence, and overall emotional state is on the line. Being able to share these emotions with other provides an extreme connection and satisfies our need to belong.