Fostering Social Cohesion in the School Physical Education Context

Abstract

The need to focus on social cohesion comes to the fore in times of increasing social inequity, and during the current social changes and challenges that undermine the established social fabric of our societies such as large-scale immigration, increasingly nationalist governments, and the polarising perspectives on, as well as responses to, global pandemics. Chapter 7 makes the case that the nature of compulsory school physical education offers an ideal opportunity to rebuild relationships and inclusive social environments. Drawing on data from the EDUHEALTH project conducted in Sweden, Norway, and New Zealand, examples of teaching for social cohesion in physical education are provided through a focus on building teacher/student and student/student relationships, inclusiveness, culturally inclusive practices, planning and structuring activities that require students to work in heterogeneous teams and require interdependence between group members, and focusing on personal and social responsibility by encouraging adherence to the principles of fair play and democratically determined rules. The chapter concludes by discussing how social cohesion as a quest for – or precursor to – social justice must move students’ thinking beyond mere social integration to address the social conditions that privilege the values and beliefs of some communities, cultures, and religions whilst lessening others (minorities).