Browsing by Subject "maahanmuuttajat"

The purpose of this literature review was to describe immigrants’ acculturation process and the role of sport and physical education in that process. More specifically the research problems were to describe the acculturation process and it’s meaning from both immigrant’s and society’s point of view and to consider how physical education and sport could support acculturation process and what are the possible challenges that could manifest when using physical education and sport as a part of social integration of immigrants. The research on the role of sport and physical education in acculturation process seems to be rare and has provided equivocal results.  Positive effects of sport and physical education on social integration can be categorized under six categories: general feeling of control in life, connection to learning language, practicing general skills needed in society, social contacts and creating friendships, psychical wellbeing and adding tolerance. Challenges of sport and physical education in social integration process can be categorized in five categories: cultural differences, socioeconomic factors, the competitive nature of sports, lack of knowledge, racism and prejudices.  This overview will show that succesfull support of acculturation process is usefull and positive to both immigrant and society. Supporting especially children’s and adolescents’ acculturation process should be taken into account. Physical education and sport can be shown to be usefull in supporting social integration, if possible challenging factors are considered planning and executing activity. Literature review will also indicate the need for an extensive research, especially regarding children in early childhood education and in elementary school. Research on their acculturation and using physical education and sport in assisting social integration process, would be significant to teachers, coaches and other educators working with immigrants. With the help of an extensive research could be received more inclusive picture of acculturation, physical activity of immigrant children and- adolescents and their relation to sport. Through that could be developed the knowledge of methods, how to utilize physical education and sport in supporting acculturation process.