The Use of “Subculture” and “Subworld” in Ethnographic Works on Sport: A Discussion of Definitional Distinctions

Abstract

Within sport ethnography, the term “subculture” has been employed so broadly that the term has lost much of its explanatory power. In this paper, we attempt to reclaim the explanatory powers of the concept subculture by differentiating it from the concept “subworld.” The paper reviews the theoretical foundations of the concept of subculture and subworld, proposes definitional distinctions, and finally makes recommendations for the use of these concepts in future ethnographic research in sport.