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“The Impact of Team Sports on Youth” Over the last few years there has been a lot of talk about competitiveness and sports in today’s society. There are now people saying that everyone is a winner, and that there are no losers. While others believe that this competitiveness in sports is great for a kid. The parents who do not believe that sports are good these days for their children are saying that there is too much pressure to perform well, their child may get an injury due to overuse, the financial burden it puts on them as a family, and that coaches nowadays aren’t promoting fun as much (Merkel Table 3). On the other side of the argument parents and experts are saying that sports teach kids to exercise and eat right, they cut down on obesity rates, sports help with positive attitudes in teens as well as a decrease in depression and suicide rates, and that sports improve overall academic success and goal setting. Sports in today’s youth is a heated topic with arguments to support both the pros and cons, yet it seems that the pros out-weigh the cons.
A survey of 400 female corporate executives found 94 percent played a sport and that 61 percent say that has contributed to their career success. (EY Women Athletes Business Network/espnW, 2014) A lot of this has to do with that team sports teaching children how to set goals and manage their time. When children have school work on top of practice and games, the child has to learn how to balance it all so they can continue to play, and keep up their grades. Goal setting is also very important when it comes to sports. When a child sets a goal for themselves and meets it, it gives that kid a great feeling of accomplishment. This also helps with self-confidence and self-worth. Some other psychological benefits of sports are decreases in suicide thoughts, depression, and high risk
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.
In “children Need to Play,” Jessica Statsky talks about her concerns regarding the issues of the destructive effects of competitive sports on children. Parents need to acknowledge this reality because it has a great influence on children at this time of age and it has become an integral part of life. As these games are designed on the basis of an adult, there physical and psychological aspects are considered before hand and a child under 14 years of age can easily be damaged on physical and psychological levels because all these sports are dangerous to children. Extreme physical activities put an unbearable strain on the developing bodies. The idea of winning sometimes forces the little ones to go to such extents that sometimes that
The benefits of playing competitive sports include self-discipline, control, and confidence. Also not doing drugs, alcohol, and sexual activity. Students who are intensely involved in sports are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol or join gangs, have a later onset of sexual activity, and do better in school and form good peer relationships. Parents have a
Sports help them stay in shape because, the Aspen Institute, a nonprofit organization that does humanistic studies, said, “Exercise is one of the least expensive ways to stay healthy, with one study finding that exercise can prevent chronic diseases as effectively as medication,” (Aspen Institute). One of the many benefits of playing sports is that the children will build character. Building character is important because with character they will make 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).
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.
Sports are a popular pastime among all ages and types of people. People not only participate in them for fun, but also for money, physical fitness, rush of competition, and for many other personal reasons. Playing sports is especially common among young people in schools. Athletics are great and enjoyable for many reasons, but there can be a point where sports participation can go too far and become negative for children and adults. Sports specialization for young people is an increasing trend that results in sports having a negative impact on individuals and society.
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.
Involving your child in sports is important part of growing up. There are several benefits to children playing sports. The child will learn how to make friends outside of school, church, and family. It will help develop self-esteem and physical skills. They discover what it means to be a member of a team, and how to win and lose with self-respect. Children also need to be active every day; exercise promotes growth and improves physical and emotional health. The Office of the Surgeon General states that active children are at less risk to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease as well as many cancers (Office of the Surgeon General, January 11, 2007).
It will encourage students to try their best to accomplish superior grades. It opens their eyes in a different perspective on behavior as well as stronger scholastic peer relationships. It gives students activities excluding school work, because teenagers generally focus their mind on unacceptable actions. Parents commonly show passion along with appreciation when their child/children play a sport. They get to have a closer relationship and be elaborate with them more often than normal. Frequently, students do not care about their reputation or acknowledge the adults’ opinions on themselves; but in my opinion, playing sports and being mostly involved with their schools presents an improved character while in school and once they graduate. I was once told that “Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” Additionally, self-esteem in high school is hard to come by, occasionally sports help! Sports cause you to interact with other people and uplift you to do better. It presents a sharpened perspective on your schoolwork, career, future, and life altogether. In some cases, playing a sport can benefit you in an enhanced form. Scholarships can be a broad opportunity for valuable players with a good education on their shoulders. As well as, college recruitment can be another option. Money is hard to come by for college and if that seems to be a struggle for a student playing a sport can help tremendously. That
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.
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.
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...
youth sports [were] the one haven for good sportsmanship," says Darrell Burnett, a clinical child psychologist and youth sports psychologist. "Not anymore. It's not just a game anymore." With technology (etc) distracting our children with violence and so on, we cannot afford to ruin what sports may do for them. With sports being just one of the few things left that can contribute to success in life, education, and health, parents need not to put any sort of unnecessary pressure on their kids at such a young age, or any age for that matter, ever.
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.
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...