The Role of Sports in New Identity Construction: A Grounded Theory Research from Turkey ()
ABSTRACT
Sociology of sport as a
branch of applied sociology is a rapidly developing field despite being quite
new in the world and Turkey. The main research problem in the study is that
individuals who are stigmatized in the society in various ways do not have many
opportunities to cope with the problems they experience. The purpose of this
article, which is based on a broader study is to demonstrate the process of
constructing a new identity on the formerly stigmatized individuals with sport as a game. This study is based on
a holistic perspective along with the methodology of the Grounded Theory. The
Grounded Theory methodology embraces the same sport, aiming to do data
collection and analysis together, and have the potential to produce a bottom-up
theory and practice. For example, the data collected systematically by the
athlete or trainer during training or competition can turn into a training
program for the development of the athlete or team. On the other hand, in
Grounded Theory applications, social phenomenon
is discussed in the natural environment of daily life where it takes place. In
understanding the process of constructing the athlete identity, considering the time and space in the natural environment should be
stated as another important relationship between sport and Grounded Theory
methodology. Research findings revealed that the “attraction of the game” is the core concept as a result of open, axial and selective coding. In addition, it has been revealed that this situation is possible
with games and sports (Sport4.0)
specific to disabled people in parallel with the production and training
(Education 4.0), which is described with the metaphor of “tailoring”, which is
not similar to apparel production.
Share and Cite:
Isik, S. and Kasapoglu, A. (2021) The Role of Sports in New Identity Construction: A Grounded Theory Research from Turkey.
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
9, 425-450. doi:
10.4236/jss.2021.92028.
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