How to Handle Violence in Youth Sports

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Everyone agrees that parent involvement is a good thing. But when the parent behaves inappropriately, it creates a poor environment for the children to learn and enjoy themselves. "Sideline rage" with parents behaving badly at youth sports events is such an epidemic, that 76% of respondents from 60 high school athletic associations said increased spectator interference is causing many officials to quit (Associated Press, 6/3/01). Parents are supposed to be role models, and the lessons they teach will determine their values and actions in the future. These days violence in children's sports is not limited to the playing field; overbearing parents are creating dangerous situations on the field. 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). Growing up, my brothers participated in many sports activities. They played hockey in the winter and baseball in the summer. Practice was held once a week and a game was scheduled for the weekend. The coach was usually a volunteer teacher or a parent of a teammate. In my brothers’ free time, they simply played whatever sport or game they wanted to play. Youth sports have changed in the pas... ... middle of paper ... ...uthsports.rutgers.edu McMahon, R. (November 2006). Parents, coaches who need time-outs. Adult violence at kids' sports sets a terrible example. Retrieved February 2011 from SFGate.com Website: www.sfgate.com. National Alliance of Youth Sports (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2011 from www.nays.org Office of the Surgeon General (January 2007). Retrieved March 29, 2011 from www.surgeongeneral.gov Pallerino, M.J. (n.d.). Parental violence at youth sporting events in increasing. Retrieved February 10, 2011 from www.collegesportsscholarships.com: http://www.collegesportsscholarships.com/youth-sport-violent-ugly-parent.htm Sports Illustrated For Kids (August 2001). Retrieved from website: www.nays.org. Taylor, M.A. (n.d.). Do’s and Don’ts for Sports Parents. Retrieved from February 10, 2011 from www.gym.net. Website http://www.gym.net/sportparenthandout.pdf

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