Hooligans are most often males in their late teens or early 20s, with working class backgrounds. In many cases clothing is very important to the competition between two opposing groups. They steal or get sports gear and groups compete and argue about styles. Most hooligan behavior is ritualistic and nonviolent. Verbal abuse of rival fans and team members, threatening them, and general "horseplay" are some of the nonviolent behaviors (Kerr 1994). .
Since the origin of hooliganism people have tried to figure out why these fans behave like this. Most sociologists believe that hooliganism comes from its long history in Britain, and from the reproduction of aggression and masculinity. In the lower class communities of England the young boys are taught socially to be aggressive, assertive and violent to show their masculinity. Young men are supposed to be able to look after themselves. Fights can be tolerated and accepted (Dunning et al). Other sociologists think these hooliganisms tendencies come from the way of life some middle and lower class fans have. The fans are defending themselves and their "gangs" and their town's reputation. Most of the time people have grown up around football and all the rituals. Also, hooliganisms represent loyalty and entertainment to some. .
From and anthropological and psychological view, that study human kind and individuals instead of groups, most people think hooliganism has less to do with class than most sociologists think. Anthropologists think that people become involved in hooliganism from a wide range of backgrounds and locations. Hooligan groups include people from different classes. They get involved because of the "social drama" and the chance to make people belong to something. Competition, achievement, honor and inflicting shame on others are all reasons that people get involved in hooliganism, according to anthropologists. For the most part hooligans enjoy confrontation instead of violence.
