Date:  Sun, 5 Jan 1997 20:32:21 -0700
From:  William King <wfking[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CCIT.ARIZONA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Soccer Moms

On Sat, 4 Jan 1997, Barry A. Popik wrote:
>   "Soccer moms" is WOTY--it just came out on Reuters/AP...
> How did "soccer moms" break out? I believe the phrase was used in a tv
> commercial for a minivan--the Nissan Quest, or another model.

    Soccer as a sport for kids has been growing in popularity over the
years. My nephew was in a league in Glens Falls, NY circa 1980. My son
played in Phoenix a decade later. There the sport is enjoyed by children
from a wide range of ethnic and economic backgrounds. That said, it is
very popular with middle class types for a number of reasons. Boys and
girls play. Equipment is cheap. Competitive and non-competitive leagues
are available. While there ARE manic coaches, the injuries tend to be
insignificant.
    Many practices take place around dinner time, often before
Soccer Dad is home. Stereotypically, Soccer Mom is available to take
the kids to practice, where she hangs out with the other Soccer Moms,
screaming bloody murder at the kids to move the damn ball down the
field. Since she is the one who deals personally with the school,
supermarket, utilities, and municality, Soccer Mom is the one who
has complaints or complements.
    Believe me, parents often have little in common in terms of
religion, politics, or sense of what constitutes an edible lunch
(gahhhh!). It's just a very accessible game that verges on Pop Warner
on steroids for the fanatics and normal activity for others. It is
immensely popular, involves interleague competition, and a good deal of
travel for the more involved participants.

Bill King