WHEN CITING:  Kamberidou, I. (2007). The Social Gender and Sport Identity: a Bio-socio-cultural Interpretation.  B. Kratzmuller, M. Marschik, R. Mullner, H. Szemethy, E. Trinkl (Eds.). Chapter in: Sport and the Construction of Identities (pp. 584–591). Verlag Turia & Kant, Wien, Austria.  [J. 1  in Apella]

Social capital is a key component in understanding the relationship between European sport governing bodies and civil society. A core concept in sociology, political science, organizational behaviour and business, social capital is relatively new in the context of European sport governance. In exploring the boundaries of both sport and social capital in theory and practice, one can see sport as a form of positive social capital that promotes social cohesion, trust, social ties, etc. However, it could also be perceived as «dark» socialcapital since the politics of sport do not always deliver the social benefits they proclaim due to the «exclusionary» vs. inclusive factors: commercialization, doping, institutionalized gender personification, the leaky pipeline and the glassceiling in SGBs and in competitive sports. Sport has not yet evolved into a form of social capital which can be nurtured and reproduced to raise social cohesion and eliminate social exclusions.KEY WORDS: sport as social capital, «dark» social capital insports, social capital production/reproduction, gender personificationin sports, leaky pipeline and glass ceiling.

Patsantaras, N.; Kamperidou, I.; Panagiotopoulos, P. (2007). “Social Inclusion or Xenophobia?" Presentation at the 13th IASL Congress Sports Justice, Present and Future, Mexico City, November 13 - 16, 2007. Organised by the International Association of Sports Law (I.A.S.L.), the Comision de Juventud Y Deporte, Senado de la Republica, Estados unidos Mexicanos. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4661.6806    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT:    Developments in new technologies of mass communication have created unprecedented global audiences for ‘mega’ sports events. The positive social impact of these events, such as the social construction and redefinition of identity based on ethnic, racial and gender equity and equality has been overestimated. The alarming impact of globalization on racism and xenophobia has generated international discourse concerning the mainstreaming of cross-cultural understanding and dialogue, especially through sports. Contemporary critical theories have distinguished sport as a site through which non-inclusive practices of social exclusion, such racism and violence, can be identified. As an international expression, is sport a means to social inclusion and integration, or a social-conflict space closely linked to social inequality? A structural functional approach directs attention to the ways sports help society operate. However, a social-conflict analysis focuses on the inequalities in sports. Olympic sports were institutionalized as a social space with no boundaries, encompassing in their value system, respect for cultural and ethnic identities. The Olympic movement advocates ethnic self-definition and the peaceful coexistence of ethnic diversity in the international scene. However, the exploitation, or rather misuse of athletic activity has always been common practice in the history of the athletic phenomenon. Current discussions characterize sports as a means that serves the globalization process, namely the western model of cultural-societal globalization. What role can Olympic sports play today to preserve and safeguard cultural and ethnic diversity, namely to promote the empowerment of self-definition, multiethnic understanding, respect for ethnic identity and cross-cultural cooperation? Key words: sport as a cultural ‘topos’, broader identities, respect for ethnic, racial and gender diversity, racism and xenophobia, non-inclusive practices of social exclusion, racial inclusion, sport identity, the gendered body, cultural diversity vs. ‘difference’, multi-dimensional and proactive strategies. 

ualitative research conducted with specific focus groups in areas representative of Greece - urban, industrial and agricultural populations, confirms the gender impact factor on digital illiteracy. A large part of the population in Greek society today is displaying technophobia, women in particular, as is the case internationally. Gender-constrained attitudes against science and technology are formulated very early. The compatibility of private life and career is essentially a female problem, a factor that is clearly evident in the latest EU average employment quota for women which is marked by a decrease of 14.3 percent, in contrast to the 5.6 percent increase in the employment quota for men. The situation is even worse in the science and technology fields. Alarming are the results of the latest study of the EU-Commission ‘She Figures 2006’, according to which women remain a minority among researchers in the EU. The first part of the study is based on questionnaires, group interviews and discourse analyses with specific focus group: (1) female and male university students, (2) female students, and (3) primary and secondary male and female school teachers. In the second unity, social theories and theoretical approaches are used to examine the multivariable inclusive vs. exclusionary factors that result in the ‘leaky pipeline’ and the ‘glass ceiling’, namely the digital divide, the under-representation of women in science and technology. Although efforts are being made to attract women to the knowledge economy and IT professions, educational reforms alone will have very limited impact without the systematic promotion of inter and multidisciplinary research, international collaborations, interdisciplinarity in Education, the promotion of a gender-inclusive labor market that recruits and retains women as well as the establishment of a more flexible and family-friendly oriented working environment. *************KEYWORDS:   Gender neutral vs gender constrained, Gender-neutral technological education, Technoethos, Technophobia, Gender factor in digital illiteracy, Digital divide, Gender gaps, Women's underrepresentation, Gender-inclusive labor market, Recruitment, Retention, Flexible and family-friendly oriented working environment, Gender mainstreaming.

1. Καμπερίδου, Ε. (2007). Ένα είδος Φυλετικού Διαχωρισμού» (Pardoe, 1837) στους υποτελείς λαούς της Οθωμανικής Αυτοκρατορίας: οι επιβαλλόμενες φυλετικο-χρωματικές διακρίσεις στις οικίες, στα ενδύματα και στα υποδήματα των υποτελών λαών. Φιλοσοφία & Παιδεία, 44-45, 22-25.  J.4 in APELLA

• Kamberidou, I. (2007). Colour Segregation according to race in Ottoman Society. Philosophy & Education (EKDEF), issue, 44-45, Nov.-Dec. 2007,  pp. 22–25.  J.4 in APELLA

1. Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2007). Απόψεις Ξένων Περιηγητριών για την Περίοδο της Τουρκοκρατίας: «Δυστυχώς οι πόλεις είναι γεμάτες Έλληνες (1853). ΦΙΛΟΣΟΦΙΑ & ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑ, Περιοδική Επιστημονική Έκδοση της Ένωσης Καθηγητών για την Προαγωγή της Φιλοσοφίας στην Εκπαίδευση (ΕΚΔΕΦ), ‘Έτος 13ο , Τεύχος 41 (Ιανουάριος-Απρίλιος 2007): 34-37.    J.5 in APELLA

• [Kamberidou, I. (2007). Discourse/Observations on the Hellenes (Greeks) by 19th century western women travellers: "Unfortunately the cities are full of Greeks- 1853". Philosophy & Education (EKDEF), issue 41, Jan.-April 2007, 34-37. J.5 in APELLA

Social capital is a key component in understanding the relationship between European sport governing bodies and civil society. A core concept in sociology, political science, organizational behaviour and business, social capital is relatively new in the context of European sport governance. In exploring the boundaries of both sport and social capital in theory and practice, one can see sport as a form of positive social capital that promotes social cohesion, trust, social ties, etc. However, it could also be perceived as ・・dark・・ social capital since the politics of sport do not always deliver the social benefits they proclaim due to the ・・exclusionary・・ vs. inclusive factors: commercialization, doping, institutionalized gender personification, the leaky pipeline and the glass ceiling in SGBs and in competitive sports. Sport has not yet evolved into a form of social capital which can be nurtured and reproduced to raise social cohesion and eliminate social exclusions.