Should Competitive Sports Be Allowed For Children?

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People have been debating for many years whether competitive sports should be allowed for children. This has been a constant issue because as of 2013, 7.7 athletes competed in high school sports and even more played in other organized leagues (When Did Competitive Sports Take Over American Childhood). This can cause injuries that can hurt our up and coming generation, but sports could also have great benefits. Competitive sports should be allowed for kids because they can keep kids active, they keep kids out of trouble and focused on a better life, and sports can teach kids valuable lessons. One reason competitive sports should be allowed is because they help keep people healthy and active. For starters, a study showed that exercise could …show more content…

To begin, compared to people who had not participated in sports, female high school athletes are less likely to have sexually activity, to use drugs, and be depressed ("Facts: Sports Activity and Children".) This is notable because it proves that sports are a good way to keep kids motivated on school and setting themselves up for a successful life. To add on, students who participated in high school athletics are more likely to attend colleges and get degrees ("Facts: Sports Activity and Children"). This proves that sports keep kids motivated on the later life by focusing them on school, which will then help them later in life. Last of all, Children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend on average 7 and a half hours using entertaining media including televisions, computers, video games, phones, and other electronics in a normal day. Only 1 out of every 3 students get the recommended amount of physical activity per day (“Get Active”). This is an example of the fact that competitive sports keep kids out of trouble and focused on a better life because it keeps kids of electronics and is a fun good way to stay active and it can keep them out of the trouble that online websites, video games, and social media can produce. A great reason why competitive sports should be allowed in because they help to keep kids out of trouble and focused on setting …show more content…

There is evidence that shows that sports could have devastating effects in the long run. It is reported that some NFL football players have exhibited signs of Alzheimer’s in their 40s as a result of concussions (Cohen). This shows that the risks of sports can be tremendous and they could become life threatening. Also, “More than 775,000 children, ages 14 and younger, are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year” (Sports Injury Statistic). This shows how much injuries can affect the kids of America. However, there is evidence that supports the fact that many injuries can be produced outside of competitive sports. In the year 2013, 743 bicyclists were killed in car accidents (Pedestrian and Bicyclist Crash Statistics). This shows that other activities such as pedestrian biking can be just as dangerous. Competitive sports may cause injuries, but other activities are just as

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