ERIC Number: EJ1122801
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1949-1212
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Available Date: N/A
Facilitating Social Inclusion of Young Adults with Learning Disorders through Football Fandom
Grünke, Matthias; Ropohl, Benedikt; Semmling, Holger
Insights into Learning Disabilities, v13 n2 p103-115 2016
Young people with learning disorders often remain on the fringes of society, feeling that they do not fit in. Sharing hobbies with other members of their community can help them to become part of a mainstream group. Football (which is called "soccer" in the US and parts of Canada) is a popular sport, especially among men. Identifying as a fan can serve as an icebreaker to get into conversations and provide opportunities to participate in various cultural activities. In the present study, we interviewed two German young adults about how being a supporter of a fourth-division football team (Alemannia Aachen) helps them to participate in "normal" social life. The interviewees emphasized the critical role that being a fan played in their active participation in society and appreciated the validation that they received from being a part of a community of like-minded people. The article concludes with a discussion of the limitations of the study and suggestions for future research directions.
Descriptors: Inclusion, Young Adults, Team Sports, Qualitative Research, Foreign Countries, Learning Disabilities, Semi Structured Interviews, Clubs
Learning Disabilities Worldwide, Inc. 14 Nason Street, Maynard, MA 01754. Tel: 978-897-5399; Fax: 978-897-5355; e-mail: info@ldworldwide.org; Web site: http://www.ldworldwide.org/educators/ild-educators
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
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