Esporte escolar e educação estetica : caminhos para a experiência plural, pacifista e democr democrática

The general perception usually qualifies sport with several positive adjectives, such as it is a healthy activity that can leave children apart from drugs, which bring sport to a place where it could, as per magic, have strong educational benefits. Sport has also been viewed in several instances and by international organizations as an agent able to lead young people to a healthy lifestyle and at the same time imbuing them with a peaceful culture. Is sport such a powerful activity? Is sport reaching educational aims within the schools? The authors consider sport to be a many faceted phenomenon, with heterogeneous practices and many different meanings. This paper discusses a new approach to sport in schools, suggesting an aesthetic and body education, with a fundamental commitment to tolerance and democratic practices. Citing philosophical and anthropological references, this article clearly demonstrates that sport in schools has often perpetrated exclusion rather than expanding democratic participation. On the other hand if we consider that sport is a universal right, which has been included in several international Human Rights agreements, we should also use sport in different ways, with more inclusive and democratic practices in school sports.