Life of a Growing Sports Star

2196 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The importance of psychology to sport

Do not Forget to Have Fun Young Derek is two years old and comes from a very athletic family. The son of a professional football player and a WNBA basketball star, Derek's future is set for athletic success. At the young age of three, he runs with his father and plays basketball with his mother. He eats only natural food; white sugar, white flour, and other processed food are cut from his diet. At the young age of six, he plays three organized sports: basketball, football, and track & field. Most of his formative years help develop his strength, speed, and muscles. His father forks out thousands of dollars for him to be mentored by the most elite coaches in their training fields. Years pass; Derek becomes the star quarterback for his high school football team and earns a football scholarship to USC and while playing, draws the attention of NFL scouts, resulting in being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. Derek's childhood is not too different from many American youth parents' who dream of only the best for their children, not knowing the effects of their efforts. Youth sports are a foundation for social development, a competitive experience, and a practice of healthy habits. But more than that, youth sports is a host to fun and exciting activities for children. Parents involve their children in sports, enabling their children to experience both the fun and excitement of competition. Sports are also a platform for children to learn lessons that they will carry with them in their daily lives. However, the very people who encourage them to participate in these sports often cross the line between competition and fun. At what point do parents and coaches stop to think that they may be pushing their athletes or childern beyond thei... ... middle of paper ... ...impress anyone. Also, "sports are a great equalizer: rich or poor, black or white" youth are able to communicate and work with all races developing "people skills" needed to succeed in life (). The qualities children learn through youth sports will help them in their personal and professional lives. In addition, "attention from interested adults is not only flattering but also helps them overcome shyness and develop poise when talking to relative strangers in social situations" (Metzl and Shookoff). Children experience winning and losing games, adversity, championships, and after game meals or treats. Children have fun with these activities and like doing them. As a result children begin to develop a competitive instinct, which promotes healthy development. Parents must not allow sports burnout to deprive their children of the fun and excitement found in youth sports.

Show More
Related

  • Get Off That Couch And Play Competitive Sports

    1466 Words  | 3 Pages

    Athletes in times of difficulty can be important role models.” This shows that sports are in fact helpful because they can grow children into being important role models for the rest of society. Studies have shown time and time again that playing sports can be beneficial to children and we also believe this to be true. Many people still think that sports cause “too many injuries”, or coaches “are not fair enough”, but adolescents will experience these things all throughout their lives because injury can happen anywhere and they will not always be the best at what they are doing. Sports are beneficial to the youth because they can teach children and teens important life skills, help them maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle, all while improving their mental health.

    Read More

  • Youth Sports Research Paper

    936 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the many benefits of playing sports is the children will build character. Building character is important because with character they will obtain new friends and develop different skills. Playing sports at a young age can build character in many ways, “Playing sports at a young age enables children to participate in social interactions and build skills such as teamwork, leadership, and responsibility as they learn to work with others to achieve a common goal,” (Aspen Institute). This is a benefit because they will build character from learning how to deal with wins and losses from playing sports. Also, they will develop different skills. Developing different skills will build character because, “numerous positive developmental indicators have been associated with sport participation, including improved self-esteem, emotional regulation, problem-solving, goal attainment, social skills, and academic performance,” (Holt). This shows how when children play sports that some of them acquire different skills than others. Lastly, some of the benefits that the children will receive from playing the sports are obtaining new friends and developing different

    Read More

  • Parental Violence and Youth Sports

    2163 Words  | 5 Pages

    Participating in a sport at an early age can be essential to the overall growth process during a child’s upbringing. Whether the participation is through some sort of organized league or just getting together amongst friends and playing, the lessons learned from this can help teach these kids and provide a positive message to them as they develop. There is a certain point, however, when organized sports can hinder progress, which is when adults get too involved and forget about the underlying reason to why they are helping. While adult involvement is necessary, adult involvement can sometimes send the wrong message to children when they try to make participation become more than just about fun and learning. According to Coakley (2009), “organized sports are worth the effort put forth by adults, as long as they do what is in the best interest of their children and put that thought ahead of their own agenda” (Coakley, p. 151). This is a valid argument because once adults put themselves in front of the children and their values, it needs to be re-evaluated as to why they first got involved in the beginning. Partaking in organized sport and activity from a young age can be beneficial to the overall development of children, as long as decisions actions are made in the best interest of the children and not stemming from ulterior motives of adults.

    Read More

  • Sports Specialization

    1826 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sports specialization among young people is when a child or teenager trains for and competes in only one sport. They work extremely hard year-round in order to become well-rounded in every aspect of the game. They make sacrifices and put their health in jeopardy in order to become the ultimate participant in their sport. One of the many young athletes who is only participating in and focusing on one sport is fifteen-year-old OJ Mayo from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the young talented athlete who is predicted to be the next LeBron James in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This young athlete provides evidence of striving for perfection in this single sport when reviewing his daily schedule versus that of his siblings. He says, “The other kids go home and sleep. I come back to the gym” (Thompson, 2004). He is obviously putting forth a lot of effort in his sport to become successful at an early age.

    Read More

  • Ineffective Argument in Jessica Statsky's Essay, Children need to Play, Not Compete

    952 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jessica Statsky, in her essay, “Children need to Play, Not Compete” attempts to refute the common belief that organized sports are good for children. She sees organized sports not as healthy pass-times for children, but as onerous tasks that children do not truly enjoy. She also notes that not only are organized sports not enjoyable for children, they may cause irreparable harm to the children, both emotionally and physically. In her thesis statement, Statsky states, “When overzealous parents and coaches impose adult standards on children's sports, the result can be activities that are neither satisfying nor beneficial to children” (627). While this statement is strong, her defense of it is weak.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Sports In Sports

    2477 Words  | 5 Pages

    Sports play an important role in American culture, with the top four most popular being football, baseball, basketball and ice hockey. These professional athletes make millions of dollars through their annual salaries and endorsements. Many wonder how they got to where they are today and was it worth it. There are mixed messages about participating in sports as a child and how it affects their development. Some believe that sports will help their child develop better communication skills, self-confidence and build character, while others believe that young athletes will develop aggression traits such as bullying, competitiveness, and aggressiveness. Although some believe that sports participation as a child will lead to aggressive children, there is ample evidence through research that sports benefits a child’s cognitive, social, and, physical development.

    Read More

  • Should Contact Sports Be Banned From School

    886 Words  | 2 Pages

    Metzl, Jordan D., and Carol Shookhoff. "Playing Sports Benefits Children." Child Athletes, edited by Christine Watkins, Greenhaven Press, 2008. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010487202/OVIC?u=pub_ovrc&xid=df3755ce. Accessed 29 Mar. 2017. Originally published in The Young Athelete: A Sports Doctor's Complete Guide for Parents, Little, Brown and Company, 2002.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Jessica Statsky And Children Need To Play Not Compete

    1137 Words  | 3 Pages

    Youth sports are a staple in nearly every American’s childhood as highlighted in “Children Need to Play, Not Compete” by Jessica Statsky. Statsky makes two contentions in favor of this argument: first, that the participants of youth sports are not physically and psychologically ready, and second, that the mentality of win or lose is more harmful than helpful during the formative years of a child’s development. I agree with Statsky that children’s sports are too often over competitive, but some competition is beneficial to their development.

    Read More

  • The Ever Changing World of Youth Sports

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    Our society, in terms of world sports, has grown increasingly impressive. Most professional athletes have been playing their specialized sport since grade school, and although impressive, the people we are rooting for are wearing out quickly. Although youth sports programs are a health benefit to society, they also pose disadvantages to a young person’s growth and development.

    Read More

  • The Drawbacks of Pushing Children in Sports

    1588 Words  | 4 Pages

    According to statistics gathered by youth sports organizations, “Up to 50 million kids play youth sports in America, and 73 percent who begin playing a sport quit before they turn 13” (Binns). The children could have quit because they did not like the disappointment of losing, or because they are exhausted from their parents pushing them too hard. But parents have their reasons for pushing their children into sports. “Studies show that kids who play sports are less likely to become obese, abuse drugs or alcohol or to perform poorly in school” (McCormick). If children are not active, then they will most likely become overweight, and if they have nothing to do in their pastime, they may turn to drugs and alcohol, which usually leads to a decrease of grades in school. A parent putting his/her child in sports gives the child something to do and keeps them fit. Parents also put their child in a sport hoping that he/she will get success out of it “Eager to nurture the next A-Rod or Michelle Kwan, parents enroll their 5- or 6-year-olds in a competitive sports league or program” (Stenson). While not all parents are pushing for future Olympians, the fight for a sports college scholarship is competitive and parents may feel that their child will have a better chance of gaining one if he/she starts competitive sports early. Parents push their children to succeed, and children--not wanting to disappoint their parents--push themselves, sometimes harder than they should. If done right, pushing a child into sports can have a positive effect on the child’s interaction with other children while teaching them commitment and healthy competition. However, focusing on winning and earning a scholarship versus having fun may backfire, because the cons...

    Read More

  • Parental Pressure on Children Playing Organized Sports

    1014 Words  | 3 Pages

    These days, there is too much pressure on children who participate in organized sports because of the unnecessary parental involvement they experience. A growing concern amongst those involved in youth sports is that certain aspects of parental involvement become detrimental to the development and experiences of young athletes. Early emphasis on winning, making money, and the disruption of education can exceedingly affect ones desire to further participate in a sport later on in his/her life.

    Read More

  • Pushing Children Into Playing Sports

    660 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) (2012), high school athletes who regularly play sports not only has physical benefits but also are less likely to smoke or use drugs, have lower dropout rates, higher success in the classroom, and better chance of going to college. However, in the contrary, parents who push their children into playing sports can negatively impact their children’s emotional development and damage the parent-child relationship. Parents push their children to play sports for several reasons. They love their children and want them to have the best, prosperous childhood. And the best way they can fulfill that is by having their children

    Read More

  • Lessons Through Sports Essay

    1710 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many life lessons can be taught through sports. Children can learn the importance of work ethic, working with others, perseverance, and the list goes on. There are studies that have shown that kids who are involved in athletics are more successful in the business world. It is only when parents turn the sporting events into an ultra-competitive requirement for their child that it can become detrimental. The lessons that sports teach kids about real life is one of the greatest benefits that can be gained from sports. Because so much can be learned through sports we need to make sure that we put focus on teaching lessons through sports rather than making it all about winning. It is a sad when parents turn a great beneficial thing into something that can be harmful for their children.

    Read More

  • Physical, Mental, and Social Benefits of Playing Sports

    1220 Words  | 3 Pages

    The benefits of sports range from physical, mental, and social.  Exercise keeps people fit, develops healthy muscle tone, and reduces heart and lung problems (Oak, Manali).  Sports studies have shown that “youth are motivated and engaged in ways that do not happen regularly in any other parts of their lives.  Their experience of sports stands out from nearly all other activities, including socializing and schoolwork, in providing enjoyment where they are exerting concerted effort toward a goal” (Larson, Reed, and Sean Seepersad).  People who play sports bond over a common interest.  This opens up children to meeting new kids and socializing with many more.  In Kindergarten, I played baseball.  Even though I did not truly understand all the mechanics of the game, I met new friends and began to develop motor skills.  This was very useful starting at an early age and pushed me to stay active throughout my life.

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Sport Education

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main goals behind Sport Education are to help students become knowledgeable about different sports and activities to the point where they can participate in these outside of the classroom to stay active. Also it teaches execution and strategies and encourages competitiveness. It is important for kids to be competitive because they will have to be in life and it will teach the importance of winning and losing the right way. “Sports offer kids a great chance to work cooperatively toward a common goal. And working coope...

    Read More

More about Life of a Growing Sports Star

Open Document