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Conclusion benefits of playing sports
Effects of sports on academic performance
Effects of sports on academic performance
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Amanda Ripley argues in The Atlantic in her article “The Case Against High School Sports”, that the United States place too much attention on sports rather than academics. Ripley argues that sports programs at schools should be reduced, maybe even cut out completely. She states that there are a lot of countries that outperform America on international tests, and it is because they put more of their emphasis on academics, where the United States puts more of an emphasis on athletics. Ripley says that high school sports negatively affects academics. (1). I disagree with Ripley on this topic; I think that sports are important for young kids because it teaches them very valuable life lessons and it keeps them out of trouble. Ripley’s first point in her essay is that other countries outperform America on international test scores, in part because they aren’t as involved in sports. She does a lot of comparing between the US and South Korea. She talks about how South Korea ranks 15th in the world …show more content…
Stephen D. Keener, writer for the New York Times, says in his article Sports Teach Kids Valuable Lessons, “The lessons young players gain between the foul lines have guided some to become astronauts, emergency first responders, bestselling authors, military heroes, professional athletes and even president of the United States” (Keener). Keener talks about how playing on a sports team as a child can teach the kid very important characteristics, like: teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship. Any kid who wants to get a job when they’re older is going to have to know how to work well with people, which is where learning the skill of teamwork is so huge. Considering Ripley’s point about sports lowering academics, Keener argues, “These lessons directly translate into the classroom and beyond” (Keener). These are some very important lessons I think that kids can benefit from
In the article, “The Case Against High-School Sports” Ripley discusses how some schools put a bigger emphasis on sports rather than academics. Ripley explains that since sports gets more attention, nobody pays attention to the academic side and their needs. According to the author, some schools are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure a sport runs, even if there is no money in the budget. She states that too much of a focus is being put on sports is affecting academic achievement negatively in American high schools. The author gives the reader three reasons why schools should focus more on academic achievement and less on sports.
Sports are a crucial part of an individual 's character. Counter arguments made against having sports at schools are getting more and more public. The arguments make people, think again about having students play sports. Sports are useful because they give players skills they can use on and off the field: strength, leadership, and confidence.
I agree with Ripley’s idea that schools across our country focus on athletics over academics; but, I do not see this as a negative effect. Those students that achieve academically and athletically will often times receive scholarships. These scholarships are used to pursue a higher education. For me, my athletic scholarship combined with my academic scholarship allowed me to attend the university I wanted to. Finances prohibit many students so the more scholarships awarded the better. Also, international students are often times recruited to play a sport. This opportunity gives them a chance to receive a concrete American education. With so many scholarships and eligibility in jeopardy, athletes must remain on their best behavior. This positive influence on behavior is a great effect from participation in athletics. Due to these factors, I do not agree with Ripley’s argument that the cost of athletics to schools outweigh the
After reading " The Case Against High School Sports" by Amanda Ripley started to make me think. There were many strong points about how the priorities of the sports are beginning to be more important to students than their education. Another great point was that the financing and budgeting is unfairly distributed throughout school districts and is spent more on athletics and clubs and not enough on classes. And I Believe that schools should put certain restrictions on the spending and promoting or in school sports and clubs because of the major drop in national and world comparisons.
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.
In class discussion we talked about how in today’s age younger kids do not have the same interest to get involved in sports as they used to. It seems that today younger kids are more interested in playing video games, then to take part in a sport and learn the team aspect of life and how to get along with each other and work as a team. Learning in sports is something people do not understand unless you are a true athlete. In the game of baseball there is so much silent communication not everyone knows about. You have nine men on the field who have the same mind set and that is to do anything you can to win this game and help your teammates. If a kid can learn this at a young age and carry this on with him through life, he will become that much of a better worker when he is at the office or wherever they might be.
Students often focus on after school sports instead of dedicating their time to academic purposes. Even though participating in athletics can sharpen the brain and keep children healthy; engaging in physical activities makes studying difficult. Therefore, districts should get rid of after school sports because they cost immense amounts of money, students who participate can be distracted, and athletes can easily fall behind in their academic career. Schools spend vast sums of money each year for after school sports, which leaves academic classes with scarce resources.
Participation in sports has proven to increase self-discipline and self-esteem, and can teach athletes to learn from their mistakes and move on (Issitt). Athletes playing team sports also develop the ability to work well with others and use teamwork in their everyday lives. Teammates form relationships that are strengthened over a common passion and goal. These relationships can last long after high school is over (Chen). These social skills translate into better communication used with an athlete’s family, peers, and in the community. Likewise, “A 2006 study in Maryland found that student athletes are 15 percent more likely than non athletes to be involved in their communities and to take the time for civic engagements, including participating in voting and volunteer activities” (Issitt). The same study also concluded that athletes are far more likely to be comfortable with public speaking than non-athletes. This study provides concrete evidence that high school sports can help to gain mental and social skills that will be used later in life
“While striving to win, children learn about teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship, all of which can contribute to their development as solid citizens” (Keener). All of these skills will help each person be a valued member of a
Lessons are taught and learned that hard work pays off, how to be a supportive member of a team, to lose with dignity, and win graciously. Young athletes learn about team loyalty, mental toughness and responsibility. They learn how to make sacrifices for the team and how to set and achieve goals. Player’s skills are developed; kids are exposed to physical exercise, and build self esteem all while having fun. However, none of these benefits are guaranteed as a result of participation in sports or specialization.
Are high school sports beneficial or not for students? I personally believe if a student is in a high school sport they’re forced to prioritize between school and their sport, and at a young age I believe the student would decide to use his time to improve in his sport instead of school. Which in the long run would affect his academics, unless they decide to stay up late and work on their homework to keep up with both school and their sport. But, even like that in time the lack of sleep would catch up to them, and cause them to do even worse in both academics, and sports. High school sports are like the lotto in my opinion, many play but only a few get rewarded for their work. Therefore, high school sports cause more negativity than positivity.
Heywood Broun once stated, “Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” Almost all children who engage in any team activity have better communication skills and higher confidence levels than children who do not. Participating in a team sport helps children to communicate better, work together with others, be a leader, control themselves, and have an active lifestyle. Being able to interact with others in a team activity improves peoples’ abilities to build strong friendships and enables them to learn more about themselves.
One reason why kids should play competitive sports is because they learn many valuable life skills. For example, according to a licensed marriage and family therapist Bette Alkazian, through team sports kids learn how to get along with other kids, and how to tolerate bad attitude or an annoying teammate (Chessman). This is useful to kids because they will learn how to accept other’s attitudes and not let it change their own, which is very useful when they get older. Another expert, psychology author Jim Taylor, Ph.D., says that “kids learn essential life skills, such as hard work, patience, persistence, and how to positively respond to setbacks and
A recent, yet controversial, the discussion has come up that sports should be taken away from schools. Studies have shown that numerous districts have gone bankrupt trying to support the athletics program. Therefore, schools should eliminate sports to save money, give students a chance to improve their academic performance and reduce injuries that students may pick up from sports. Some students put more effort into sports, instead of school, and that can affect the student’s academic performance. In a 2015 investigation conducted by Amanda Ripley, she asked a couple of exchange students what they thought of school sports, one said, “It was amazing to see how school wasn't just about the grades.
According to Sarah Davis, an accomplished clinical nutritionist and graduate of San Diego University, “When a child wins a game with his team, he feels accomplished and recognized… Playing sports can help kids understand how competition works in a friendly environment, and that if you try your hardest, you have a better chance to succeed.” This shows that when children play on a sports team with their peers, they learn how to work and compete as a unit. This builds character and teaches students how to work well with anyone, which translates back into the classroom when they have to work collaboratively. Overall, playing on a competitive sports team teaches children