Banca de DEFESA: MATHEUS DANTAS DE LUCENA

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MATHEUS DANTAS DE LUCENA
DATE: 19/09/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: DEF
TITLE:

MEANINGS AND EXPERIENCES OF LEISURE IN THE CONTEXT OF SKATEBOARDING EXPERIENCED BY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF NATAL/RN/BRAZIL

KEY WORDS:

Skateboarding, Leisure, Urban Space, Identity, Youth, Public Spaces, Adventure Activities.

PAGES: 196
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Educação Física
SUMMARY:

Leisure and skateboarding have the potential to shape the social identities of many
young people, encompassing aspects such as pleasure, autonomy, sociability, and belonging.
Considering the city of Natal, in Rio Grande do Norte (RN), this research reveals how the
meanings and experiences of leisure in skateboarding are permeated by various specificities.
Thus, the overall objective of this research was to understand the meanings and experiences of
leisure in the context of skateboarding practices experienced by young people in public leisure
spaces in Natal, RN. This study is characterized as field research. A descriptive research with
a qualitative approach was used. The investigated group consisted of thirty (30) social actors
between 18 and 29 years of age, who experience the practice of skateboarding in the city of
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, in at least one of the four public leisure spaces listed for the
research, including squares and sports courts in different regions of the city. A semi-structured
interview and a questionnaire were used as instruments. The interview consisted of eleven
(11) questions addressing the research objectives, and the questionnaire consisted of fourteen
(14) questions, aiming to outline the participants' profile. Data interpretation was performed
through Bardin's (1977) categorical analysis. The general categories created were: skate spots
and skaters' relationship with Natal's urban space; leisure experiences while skateboarding;
meanings, sensations, and lifestyles in the construction of skaters' identities. The conclusion is
that risk-taking plays an important role in the construction of young skaters' identities; it's a
way to break down barriers, strengthen bonds of belonging, and consolidate identities. For
many young people, skateboarding represents a form of expression. It's a way to protest
norms, a fight against prejudice, a way to explore creativity, and to exercise their right to the
city and leisure. These are life perspectives for each individual. In other words, identities,
which are plural, are incorporated into each skater as a form of belonging, through
experiences, values, and references.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1872928 - PRISCILLA PINTO COSTA DA SILVA
Interna - 1551552 - MARIA ISABEL BRANDAO DE SOUZA MENDES
Externa à Instituição - JULIANA DE PAULA FIGUEIREDO