Don Sabo’s essay “pigskin, patriarchy, and pain” is essentially a commentary on aggressive sports and how they reinforce a patriarchy that is violent, oppressive and damaging to both men and women. The essay is divided into two sections-the author's personal experiences and his views and opinions.
The essay begins with the author recounting his own athletic experiences. He mentions that he became a football player to feel more accepted by society and to seem more of a “man”. Sabo felt uncomfortable in his body and thought that sports would be the way for him to change his “image’.
He then discusses his high school and one of his coaches, who had very traditional notions of masculinity. He then discusses his high school and one of his coaches,
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Because he was in constant pain for the "next 7 years of his life" after his career ended.
The essay then moves to its second half, which consisted of the author's perspectives and understandings.
The author begins by saying that after being "surgically freed from the grip of pain," he had a better understanding of pain. "The origin of our pain is rooted outside, not inside," he says.
He then discusses and discusses the pain principle and how young boys are frequently taught to tolerate pain and suppress their emotions. This buildup of emotions leads to pent-up rage, which is not healthy. They are taught that pain is rewarding and that in order to be a "man," they must endure sufferings.
Sabo concludes his essay by stating that playing aggressive sports "fosters conformity to male chauvinistic values and self-abusing lifestyle". Aggressive sports promote patriarchal values in society, which harms everyone except a few men "who control resources and have the ability to bestow rewards and inflict punishment."
"Pigskin, patriarchy and pain" by Don Sabo is a brilliant examination of aggressive sports, patriarchy, and societal