SPORT AS AN AGENT OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN SCHOOLS

Abstract

The role of sports as an agent of socialization cannot be overemphasized. Childhood stage of life represents a period when most attributes of life are formed, and this includes ability to develop appropriate social roles and lay a good foundation for positive social behaviours. This paper focused on different ways by which sports can be used as an agent of social integration among school children and adolescents. Related websites like Sports discuss and other search engines were consulted for materials used to develop the paper. Most of the documented researches believed that sports has a direct link with social integration and that some of the benefits derivable from sports as an agent of social integration include: sportsmanship, leadership, diversity, teamwork, and building relationship, which are vital socialisation ingredients in the lives of school children. The paper also identified parents teachers and coaches as strong stakeholders in the attempt to use sports as a major weapon of socialization among children. It was also concluded that regardless of their orientation, play through sports and physical activity occupies a central role in children’s lives and is therefore vital to their social orientation