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European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science ISSN: 2501 - 1235 ISSN-L: 2501 - 1235 Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu Volume 3 │ Issue 8 │ 2017 doi: 10.5281/zenodo.826416 ROLE OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS OF STREET CHILDREN (A PILOT STUDY) Hikmet Turkay1i, A. Azmi Yetim2 Abdulkerim Çeviker3 Kafkas University, High School of 1 Physical Education and Sports, Turkey Gazi University, 2 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Turkey Ankara University, 3 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Turkey Abstract: This article deals with the socio-cultural and socio-economical features of the street children and the effect of sport activities upon their socialization. The study was carried out upon 133 children who live or work in the streets of Ankara with or without home fitting perfectly well in the description of street children who had been involved in sports at various degrees before... the data were collected by the use of the 69 question socialization scale developed by Şahan . The data obtained were evaluated by the use of SPSS statistical software. The data were first subjected to frequency analysis and listed in tabular manner. The percentage of the variables in the sample was determined and the features of the sample were first subjected to a general evaluation process. Then the analysis process to be applied to hypotheses was started and the raw data were evaluated by the use of Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis Non-parametric Test. It was concluded that here was not a statistically significant difference between the socialization levels of the children interested and not interested in sports according to gender and the income levels of the families. On the other hand, there was significant difference in the socialization levels of the children if the interest in sports and family income parameters are considered together. Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved. © 2015 – 2017 Open Access Publishing Group 103 Hikmet Turkay, A. Azmi Yetim, Abdulkerim Çeviker ROLE OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS OF STREET CHILDREN (A PILOT STUDY) Keywords: street children, physical education, sports, socialization 1. Introduction Childhood period is an important developmental stage and the childhood years are of great importance for the achievement of a productive maturity. The children have certain needs and the satisfaction of these needs is of utmost importance as regards to their future mental development. However, the considerable portion of the children of the word lacks in adequate life standards (Acar, 2010). The case of the children living or working in streets is a problem which is at the top of the world’s agenda which requires urgent measures to be taken. Today it is estimated to be 200 million children living in streets deprived from adequate education, health services even from basic rights (Güngör, 2008). These are generally the children of the families who emigrated from rural areas to urban areas due to the reasons such as land reform, drought, poverty, population boost and redundancy (Swift, 1989). The street children left their homes or lost their ties with their parents due to the reasons such as being deserted, neglected or subjected to violence (Ennew, 2003). The children living in streets work in very hard jobs starting at very early ages which jeopardize their development, health, education and futures. The type of job, the working hours and working conditions can pose a great risk for the children O’Donnel, 2004). The entrance of the children to the working world without living their childhood causes them to be alienated from the society and the inhibition of their socialization development. However, socialization is a lifelong dynamic process starting from the birth. The child improves his /her beliefs, targets, skills, and virtues he/she uses for his/her guidance, during this process. Socialization is defined as the development of the values and behaviors in accordance to the norms valid in the society ”inbaşıoğlu, . It is also described as acquiring the cultural values of the society, to get ready entering the adult world and implement these behaviors and skills in his/her life (Bilen, 1994). The socialization process is also described as the person being able to carry out the responsibility and the duties appropriate to his/her capacity, to establish good coordination with the others and act in good accordance with customs of his/her family and the society (MEB, 2007). Although the major factors affecting the socialization process of children are family, social environment and mass communication devices; doing sports have been found to be highly effective upon this process. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 8 │ 2017 104 Hikmet Turkay, A. Azmi Yetim, Abdulkerim Çeviker ROLE OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS OF STREET CHILDREN (A PILOT STUDY) Sports are a collective activity which enables the children to easily establish social interaction with different people and groups. It also makes the people leaving their narrow worlds, establishing close ties, exchanging thoughts and interacting with each others (Çaha, 1999). Spots essentially, mean all the physical activities that involve all kinds of voluntary participation ”aşoğlu and Şekeroğlu, . This study tries to elucidate the role of sports in socialization process of the street children. For downloading the full article, please access the following link: http://oapub.org/edu/index.php/ejep/article/view/886 European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 8 │ 2017 105