The Drawbacks of Pushing Children in Sports
analytical Essay
1588 words
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...
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... Times, 24 May 2010. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
Henson, Steven. "What Makes A Nightmare Sports Parent--And What Makes A Great One." ThePostGame. Sports Media Ventures, Inc., 15 Feb. 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
McCormick, John. "Kids and Team Sports: Should Parents Push Their Children to Play?"The HuffingtonPost.com. The Huffington Post, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
Mooney, Lisa. "Should You Push Your Child Into Sports." Livestrong. Livestrong Foundation, 09 Nov. 2010. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
Paddock, Catharine. "Young Athletes: Injuries And Prevention." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International Ltd, 9 Aug. 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
Pennington, Bill. "Expectations Lose to Reality of Sports Scholarships." Nytimes. New York Times, 10 Mar. 2008. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
Stenson, Jacqueline. "Pushing Too Hard Too Young." Msnbc.com. NBC News, 29 Apr. 2004. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that 50 million kids play youth sports in america, and 73 percent who begin playing a sport quit before they turn 13.
- Opines that sports keep children in shape and give them a chance to interact with others. parents need emotional support, not to yell and act like coaches.
- Opines that most children would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench of the winning team. parents sign their children up for sports for the experience and to get them active.
- Narrates how marilyn enmark, a youth soccer coach in detroit, has seen her share of overbearing parents. one of her players hit the boards during an indoor game and was holding his head.
- Analyzes how the parents of a child berated him for his playing and ignored his injuries. a competitive parent expects their child to be as competitive as they are.
- Explains that pushing a child too hard and too long can lead to injuries that range from minor to serious to sports ending.
- Explains that overtraining and burnout among child and adolescent athletes are growing problem in the united states.
- Explains that the fight for a college scholarship is tough with many athletes wanting it but only so many to give out. parents should realize that if the only thing on their mind for their young child is the scholarship, they will end up sabotaging their child's sports experience.
- Opines that putting children in sports encourages activity and gives them a chance to make new friends. however, some parents push their children too hard.
- Explains binns, corey, "is your child a quitter?" nbc universal media llc, 8 july 2013.
- Analyzes brody, jane e., "for children in sports, a breaking point." nytimes, 24 may 2010.
- Analyzes henson, steven, "what makes a nightmare sports parent--and what make a great one." the postgame. sports media ventures, inc.
- Explains that mccormick, john, "kids and team sports: should parents push their children to play?" the huffington post.
- Opines that mooney, lisa, should push their child into sports. livestrong foundation, 09 nov.
- Cites paddock, catharine. "young athletes: injuries and prevention." medical news today. medilexicon international ltd.
- Quotes pennington, bill. "expectations lose to reality of sports scholarships." nytimes.
- Analyzes stenson, jacqueline, "pushing too hard too young." msnbc.com.
Related
- analytical
- opinion
- argumentative
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1536 wordsRead More