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. One of the assumptions Statsky makes is that, “One readily understandable danger of overly competitive sports is that they entice children into physical actions that are bad for growing bodies” (627). This statement rests on the assumption that children would not perform any “physical actions that are bad for growing bodies” (Statsky 627) without organized competitive sports. This is simply untrue. Children jump from swings, climb trees, skateboard, “pop wheelies” and otherwise put themselves in physical peril with alarming regularity. Children’s free and unorganized play often results in broken bones and stitches, even for the most timid children. Statsky also makes another faulty assumption, which is that competition is an adult imposition on the world of children’s play. She says in her article, “The primary goal of a professional athlete – winning – is not appropriate for children” (629). Children compete to win in the same way that adults do, and they do so on their own without any adult pressure. Common playground gam... ... middle of paper ... ...petitive sports can cause lasting harm and have no benefits for these children (Statsky 627), then examples of how childhood competition negatively affected individuals years after the fact would go a long way to proving her accusation. As Statsky's thesis rests on the assumption that adult imposition of competition and organization in children's sports makes the games neither satisfactory nor beneficial to the children, then lack of benefit must be shown along with lack of satisfaction. The existence of unsatisfied child athletes in organized sports is no indication that children are somehow unsuited to competition and team sports. Works Cited Statsky, Jessica. “Children Need to Play, Not Compete.” Reading Critically Writing Well: A Reader and Guide. Ed. Rise B. Axelrod, Charles R. Cooper, and Allison M. Warriner. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2005. 627-631.
In the article, “Children Need to Play, Not Compete,” the author, Jessica Statsky demands that very composed, focused games that are played in grown-up standard, for example, Little League Baseball and Peewee Football are not appropriate for children particularly those who are between the age of six and twelve. These games have the opposite impact of growing either future players or fans. Moreover, they can damage children mentally and physically. She mentioned a few reasons to support her ideas. Statsky explains that competitive sports persuade children into doing physical actions that are bad by taking twelve-year boy as an example of a child being hurt to attempt to throw a curveball. Even though children are not injured, there is a fear
“Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser,” Vince Lombardi once said. This saying could be the unsung anthem of American sports for children and teenagers. Everyone loves to win. In sports there is always competition. Is there too much emphasis on “the win” for kids and teens? This issue is important because it essentially develops the way children and teenagers think and react; it will affect them later on in life. Too much emphasis on winning is a problem because there is extensive pressure from parents and coaches, and the consequences can be severe.
After first reading the essay “Sports Should be Child’s Play,” I believe David Epstein made a valid point when discussing the issue of children participating in competitive sports at a too young of an age. He effectively delivered his argument by giving an appropriate amount of evidence without crowding the piece and losing the reader. There were certain sections of the essay that would have been difficult to understand without context, however Epstein was able to guide the reader and explain the evidence and situation when necessary. The title of the essay drew me in because “child's play” coincides with something that can be easily accomplished and is enjoyable. However sports, at the higher level, are challenging and are required to be taken seriously. If children are playing at competitive level too early in their life, it can cause a loss of enjoyment and be detrimental to their physical and mental health.
In the essay “Children Needs to play not compete” Jessica Statsky talked on some of health, physical and psychological reasons children should not be allowed to indulge in competitive games or sports. She appealed to the parents and coaches or game masters on the implications and dangers of organised sports and She argued that competitive sports may harm teenagers both physically and mentally. Statsky in the book stated that sports generally are organised activity irrespective of how it’s being organised either locally or nationally or internationally. She also persuaded that both contact and non contact sports played by kindergarten have side effects on the children either as a competitor or as spectator; hence they should not be...
Youth sports are not too intense. ”Still the benefits outweigh the costs. There are platitudes about teamwork and lessons about winning and losing”(Are youth sports too intense?).
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.
In “Children Need to Play, Not Compete”, Jessica Statsky tries to bring forth a pressing issue of competitive sports and its destructive effects. These sports are designed keeping in mind the age and physical strength of adults which make these sports unsuitable for the young ones. They have a destructive effect on a child’s physical and mental health. Jessica talks about how the competitive sports becomes a hindrance in the development of growing bodies of children. She further elaborates by mentioning the injuries faced during this time period can last a lifetime. On addition to the physical stress, the competitive sports causes a lot of physiological issues as well. The amount of mental pressure and extreme physical requirement makes these
There have always been debates on whether children should play sports. Multiple views have been presented and several facts proposed. People argue that sports build good character, teach life lessons and keep children in shape mentally and physically. Every child deserves to have a way to build character and acquire life lessons while they are still young because these are essential to being a child. Sports present the building blocks of numerous assets that could be used in their everyday life and in the sports world.
An issue that has created intense debate, is the topic of, should kids be able to play in competitive sports? Some people say that kids shouldn't be allowed to play in competitive sports, for it is promoting bad behavior in adolescents. Along with others who think that competitive sports are good for children, because it is good for them because it helps them develop skills that they need when they get older. It is clear that competitive sports are good for children, because it makes sure children have a good healthy weight, and it lets them let out emotions such as stress.
For many americans, sports are a common staple of a weekly schedule with intentions not in vain. It widely known that sports have many benefits that will be discussed in this paper. For one, sports have been proven to have educational benefits . In addition to this, children who participate in sports have increased educational and occupational aspirations as well as a surprising low injury rate for more physical sports. In summary, sports should not be removed or atleast drastically changed due to their educational benefits, increased drive in the players to pursue goals, low injury rate when put into perspective.
An education researcher and writer that’s main focus is to inform people on important issues says in the article that she wrote, “Pros and Cons of Sports Competition at the High School Level,” “Today’s teens are exposed to an array of entertainment avenues that may foster laziness, . . . , but the traditional experience of sports, exercise, and kinesthetic activities help boost teens’ minds and bodies. Involvement in sporting activities keeps children moving and engaged physically, vital for their overall health and well-being” (Chen, 2012). This demonstrates that with all the things in this world that support laziness, youth who are involved in competitive sports are happier and better than those who prefer doing nothing because they are physically fit and more positive. Second, in Anahad O’Connor’s article, “Sports Promote Healthy Weight in Teenagers,” he included some words that Keith M. Drake said, who is an author and postdoctoral research at Hood Center for Children and Families at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, where he works toward the well-being of children and families. " 'I think being a part of some kind of team or organization gives kids the opportunity to have moderate to vigorous activity consistently,' said Keith M.
Taking part in sports shows children and young adults how to contend in this present reality. As they develop more they will confront rivalry in school...
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...
Taking part in sports shows children and young adults how to contend in this present reality. As they develop more they will confront ...
A recent survey done says “Over forty-five million kids participate in organized youth sports, out of those forty-five million eighty percent of them quit by the age of fifteen” (Stankovich 2). It is not likely that these kids quit their sport just because, there must have been a reason like: their coach was working them too hard, their parents were trying to push them to succeed, or the environment just became too intense. It is not fair for these kids to quit because of other people, the only reason they should have to quit is if they just do not like the sport anymore. Another survey of 1,250 high level athletes ages ten through eighteen was done and the result was “Only thirty percent of them actually enjoy their sport” (Matz 5). This survey shows that these thirty percent of kids must have been pushed hard by either a coach or their parents because they are successful athletes that did not quit because they did not enjoy their sport. This survey still proves though that youth sports are becoming too intense because they are causing kids to dislike the sport that they used to