THE SOCIALIZING FUNCTION OF KARATE AMONG ARMENIAN KARATEKAS

Abstract

The spiritual-cultural field of karate and the socialization process for Armenian athletes is full of contradictions due to the religious-philosophical value systems. The spiritual education and ideological systems in karate do not consider the value systems of foreign athletes and the impact it might have on the socialization of Armenian athletes which can lead to losing national identity and culture. To avoid this Armenian sensei should use cognitive training and national values, which will have Armenian national identity, in realizing his mission of educating athletes. The relevance of the current research is based on the above-mentioned statement. The aim of the research is to reveal the motives activating the spiritual factors of Armenian athletes and to replace them by national motives in benefit of national identity and consciousness. The research problems are to develop new motives among Armenian athletes by using the impact of national values, to use appropriate educational tools and mechanisms to change the attitude of Armenian athletes . In the process of developing identity the athletes acquire values from their sensei and get the appropriate skills of karate. The only way to prevent the loss of national identity is the implementation of a new national educational model based on the following principles: 1. To change the ideological approaches of religious-philosophical cognitions and attitudes which contradict our national perceptions of karate. 2. To eliminate the inconsistency by radically changing the behavior.