About this Research Topic
Skateboarding, initially perceived as a rebellious subculture, has grown to become a globally recognized sport and cultural phenomenon. Originating in the 1950s in California as a pastime for surfers when the waves were flat, skateboarding has since evolved into a multifaceted discipline with its own unique identity, style, and influence. From the streets to the Olympics, skateboarding’s journey has been marked by its dynamic relationship with urban spaces, youth culture, art, music, and fashion. As skateboarding continues to gain traction in various parts of the world, it is imperative to understand its socio-cultural implications, its transformative potential, and its broader impact on society.
Skateboarding, much like other ‘alternative’ sports, is not just about the act itself but is deeply intertwined with the socio-cultural fabric of the communities in which it is embedded. It has been a platform for self-expression, a tool for social change, and a space for community building. The sport has also grappled with significant challenges, from advocating for greater inclusivity and representation to confronting the complexities that come with commercialization and seeking mainstream acceptance. An additional hurdle has been the necessity to combat stringent regulations—a manifestation of societal resistance—that have often hindered the progress and evolution of skateboarding. These constraints, often indicative of a lack of acceptance, attest to the ongoing trials faced by the skateboarding community and the need for continuous advocacy and negotiation to overcome them. Put simply, skateboarding exhibits deep divisions in how the activity is conceptualized by its participants, and therefore skateboarding subculture is constantly adapting and evolving.
The objective of this Research Topic is to delve into the social scientific dimensions of skateboarding, shedding light on its rich tapestry of history, culture, challenges, and contributions. We invite scholars and researchers to contribute papers that explore various facets of skateboarding from a social science perspective.
Specifically, we welcome papers that address:
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- Urban Spaces and Skateboarding: How skateboarding interacts with and transforms urban landscapes, and its role in city planning and architecture.
- Skateboarding and Identity: Explorations into how skateboarding shapes individual and collective identities, including discussions of, for example, gender, race, class, and ability..
- Skateboarding and sport: Sportification and elite competition. Skateboarding in the world of sports. Skate, sport, professionalization, and amateurism. Skateboarding at the Olympic Games.
- Media Representations: Analysis of how skateboarding is portrayed in films, advertisements, music videos, and other media forms.
- Skateboarding as a Social Movement: Understanding skateboarding’s potential as a tool for activism, community building, and social change.
- Skateboarding and sociability. Crews, groups, socialization. Interaction between members and participants, group practices
- Commercialization and Authenticity: Navigating the balance between mainstream acceptance, corporate sponsorships, and staying true to skateboarding’s roots.
- Inclusivity in Skateboarding: Studies on the challenges and opportunities related to gender, race, class, ability, and inclusivity within the skateboarding community.
- Environmental Considerations: Exploring the environmental impact of skateboarding, from the production of skateboards to the creation of skate parks to use as a sustainable mode of transport.
- History and Evolution: Tracing the journey of skateboarding from its inception to its current global status.
- Skateboarding in Education: The role of skateboarding in educational settings, its potential as a tool for learning, and its impact on youth development.
- Skateboarding teaching: skateboarding schools, teaching methodologies and procedures, teaching styles,teaching processes,
- Politics and Governance: Understanding the politics of skateboarding, from local skate park regulations to its inclusion in global events like the Olympics.
- Fan and Participant Dynamics: Insights into the culture of skateboarding spectators, fans, and participants, and their influence on the sport’s trajectory.
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Keywords
skateboarding, sociology, society, intersections, implications
Topic Editors
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- Jorge Ricardo Saraví, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
- Dax D’Orazio, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
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Participating Journals
Manuscripts can be submitted to this Research Topic via the following journal:
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
About Frontiers Research Topics
Submission Deadlines
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- February 29, 2024 | Abstract
- June 30, 2024 | Manuscript
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