Sport-based interventions’–A tool for suburban social integration?

Abstract

This article is about sport-based interventions as tools for social integration in segregated suburban areas. On the basis of a former research study of Midnight Football in a Swedish mid-size city, we discuss the potential of such activities to contribute to social integration in a broad sense. With established sociological concepts such as social capital, networks, and bonds as points of departure, we discuss the capacity of Midnight Football to contribute to social integration by being a link and a unifying force in the local community as well as a bridge-builder in relation to the surrounding society. Our main argument is that sport-based activities definitely have an important potential here. Locally, it can create fruitful relations and bonds between people belonging to sub-groups of different ethnic origin, religion, and culture, enhancing social density among citizens in a suburb. However, such a density can only be created by the help of other local actors. Further, if it is not combined with active efforts to build relations with the surrounding society at the same time it may be at risk of having effects of isolation, in terms of ‘us vs. them’ feelings towards the outer society. Therefore, a developed engagement from actors outside the suburb is pivotal. Such engagement cannot be developed by the sports movement and other voluntary organizations alone. It demands a return and re-establishment of public representatives and activities in the local community, activities aimed at working long term with building social capital among residents of the local community.