Background and Purpose
Social relationships play a significant and profound role in shaping individuals' participation in sports and the meanings they attribute to their athletic experiences (Anwar Al Khouli, 2004). Over the years, researchers have emphasized that beyond personal characteristics and access to facilities, socialization factors—especially those emanating from the family—are crucial in the process of becoming an athlete (Coakly, 2015). The family, as a primary social institution, exerts a powerful influence on the socialization of children into sports, transmitting values, norms, and behaviors that shape their sporting identities and commitment.
Symbolic interactionism, a prominent sociological perspective, provides a useful theoretical framework for understanding this process. According to symbolic interaction theory, society is constructed through the actions and interactions of individuals and groups, where meanings and symbols guide behavior and social structures (Tavasoli, 2012). This perspective asserts that socialization is not a passive process of internalizing societal norms but an active, interpretive engagement where individuals negotiate and construct meanings through interaction. The family, as the first and most influential social group, plays a pivotal role in this interpretive process, shaping how young athletes perceive and engage with sports.
This study aims to apply symbolic interaction theory to explore how young wrestlers in Sari, Iran, are socialized into the sport. The focus is on the family’s role—specifically family sportsmanship, support, attitudes, and role modeling—in influencing the socialization process. Additionally, the study examines the roles of schools and peers as secondary socialization agents. Understanding these dynamics provides insights into the social construction of athletic identity and commitment, which are essential for developing effective sports programs and policies.
 
 
Methods
The research population consisted of 300 young wrestlers aged 12 to 19 years from prominent wrestling clubs in Sari, Iran. Using Cochran’s formula for sample size determination, 141 participants were selected to represent this population adequately. The study measured socialization through wrestling using four key components:
Attitude toward the role of wrestling in life: How wrestlers perceive the importance and relevance of wrestling in their personal and social lives.
Self-identification as an athlete: The degree to which wrestlers see themselves as athletes and integrate this identity into their self-concept.
Commitment to wrestling: The level of dedication and persistence in pursuing wrestling activities.
Knowledge and awareness about wrestling: Understanding of wrestling techniques, rules, culture, and history.
The family’s role was assessed through four components:
Family sportsmanship: The family’s engagement with sports, including their own participation and support for sportsmanship values.
Family support for wrestling: Emotional, financial, and logistical support provided by the family to the young wrestler.
Family attitude toward wrestling: The family’s beliefs and values regarding wrestling as a sport and its significance.
Family role modeling: The extent to which family members serve as role models in sports participation and behavior.
The influence of schools and peers was also examined to understand their contribution to the socialization process.
 
Findings
The analysis revealed a significant and positive relationship between all family-related variables and socialization through wrestling. The family’s role emerged as a dominant factor influencing young wrestlers’ athletic socialization. Specifically, regression analysis indicated that the four family variables collectively explained 58% of the variance in socialization outcomes, demonstrating their substantial impact.
Family attitude toward wrestling was the strongest predictor, accounting for 42% of the variance. This highlights that when families hold positive beliefs and values about wrestling, young athletes are more likely to internalize the sport as a meaningful part of their lives.
Family support for wrestling contributed an additional 11% to the variance, underscoring the importance of tangible and emotional support in sustaining athletic engagement.
Family sportsmanship accounted for 4%, reflecting the influence of families’ own sports participation and ethical conduct on the socialization of young wrestlers.
Family role modeling explained the remaining variance, emphasizing the significance of observing and emulating family members’ behaviors in sports.
Peer influence was also found to be significant, indicating that friends and teammates play a role in reinforcing or shaping sports-related attitudes and behaviors. However, the influence of schools was relatively minor, despite most participants being students, suggesting that family and peer groups are more critical socialization agents in this context.
 
 
Discussion
The findings affirm the central role of the family in the socialization of young wrestlers, consistent with symbolic interactionist theory. Families do not merely impose norms; rather, through ongoing interaction, encouragement, and shared experiences, they help young athletes interpret and construct the meanings of wrestling. This process involves transmitting both symbolic meanings—such as the cultural and heroic values associated with wrestling—and practical support, including training, attendance at competitions, and emotional encouragement.
The study’s results align with international research emphasizing parental support as a cornerstone of children’s sports participation and enjoyment. For example, parental encouragement, involvement, and positive reinforcement have been shown to increase children’s motivation and commitment to sports (Fredricks & Eccles, 2004; Knight et al., 2010). Furthermore, the congruence between family values and sports culture enhances children’s identification with the sport and their persistence in athletic activities.
In wrestling communities, where the sport often carries cultural and national significance, family attitudes can profoundly influence young athletes’ perceptions of their role and identity. Parents who actively engage in wrestling or demonstrate sportsmanship provide concrete role models that children aspire to emulate. This modeling fosters the internalization of norms and behaviors conducive to athletic success and personal development.
The relatively lower impact of schools suggests that while educational institutions provide opportunities for physical activity, they may lack the personalized support and cultural reinforcement that families offer. Peers, however, serve as important social referents, contributing to the social learning and reinforcement of sports-related behaviors.
 Conclusion
This study highlights the substantial influence of family-related factors on the socialization of young wrestlers in Sari, Iran. Family attitudes, support, sportsmanship, and role modeling collectively explain a significant portion of the variance in wrestling socialization outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of engaging families in sports development programs and designing interventions that strengthen family involvement and support.
By applying symbolic interactionism, the study elucidates how young athletes actively interpret and negotiate the meanings of wrestling within their familial and social contexts. This interpretive process shapes their athletic identities, commitment, and experiences.
The insights gained can inform coaches, sports managers, and policymakers seeking to enhance youth sports participation and development. Encouraging positive family engagement, fostering supportive peer networks, and recognizing the limited but meaningful role of schools can contribute to more effective socialization processes.
Future research should explore longitudinal dynamics of socialization and investigate the interplay of family, peers, and schools in diverse sports and cultural settings.
Article message
The family can have an impact on children's internalization of cultural-sports values ​​when parents themselves enter the sports environment and provide material and non-material support for sports and their athletes (their own children), the family's attitude towards the sport of wrestling transmits the same heroic value to their children, and ultimately they themselves become concrete role models for their children. In this way, they can transmit social values ​​and norms to them. These variables can have a positive and direct impact of about 58% on the socialization of children through wrestling.