Banca de DEFESA: THIAGO DE SOUSA ROSA

Public Sports Policies in Baixada Fluminense: A Study of Social Representations

Sport; Social Representations; Public Policies; Baixada Fluminense

This thesis investigated the social representations of sports as a public policy in Baixada Fluminense, based on two complementary studies focused on the proponents (Study A) and beneficiaries (Study B) of these policies. The objective was to understand the meanings attributed to sports by different social groups and to identify symbolic tensions and mismatches between conception and expectations in the implementation of public policies in the region. Study A consisted of semi-structured interviews with 32 participants involved in the management and proposal of sports projects. Content analysis and statistical lexical analysis were used with the support of IRAMUTEQ software. The results indicated three central axes in the managers' representations: sports as a tool for social transformation, inclusion, and ethical and disciplinary formation. Furthermore, symbolic tensions emerged between the discourses of community leaders and public managers, reflecting disputes over meaning and different logics of action. Peripheral dimensions, such as health promotion and sport as a philosophy of life, also emerged, highlighting their adaptive role in the everyday redefinition of sports practice in peripheral contexts. Study B involved 486 beneficiaries of public sports policies, using the free word recall technique, complemented by a sociodemographic questionnaire. It was observed that sport is associated with health, well-being, and belonging. Representations varied according to gender, age group, and length of participation: women and older adults highlighted therapeutic and relational aspects, while young men emphasized competition and performance. Barriers such as insufficient transportation, lack of time, and poor infrastructure limited participation, especially among the most vulnerable. Even so, sport was perceived as a space for care, identity, and citizenship, highlighting the importance of public policies sensitive to the singularities of individuals and territories. A comparison between the studies revealed a dissonance in the meanings attributed to sport. While the proponents adopt a technical-managerial approach with an emphasis on structural and collective goals, the beneficiaries express affective, relational, and everyday meanings. This divergence directly impacts the effectiveness of public policies, highlighting a gap between what is planned and what is actually experienced. The conclusion is that it is urgent to develop more democratic sports policies, with a solid institutional structure, continuous funding, and active community engagement. Sports must be understood not only as an instrument of social control, but as a right, a legitimate space for emancipation, inclusion, and citizenship. By illuminating these tensions, the thesis contributes to the improvement of public sports policies and the strengthening of actions more consistent with the realities of the Baixada Fluminense region