Sports participation provides lifelong benefits for young people such as improving fitness, learning teamwork and developing character. Yet despite these benefits, millions of children dropout or withdraw from sports each year. In fact, Petlichkoff (1996) estimated the annual dropout rate at 35% with many children withdrawing from sports in early adolescent (cited in Fraser-Thomas & Deakin, 2008). Further, Telama, Yang, Hirvensalo, and Raitakari (2006) state when early withdrawal happens, children will less likely engage in physical activity later in life. Because of the high dropout rate and associated implications, researchers have devoted numerous studies investigating the factors that may cause children to withdraw from sports. For …show more content…
In this regard, Harter’s competence motivation theory has provided an important theoretical framework to evaluate how motivation influences effort, persistence, and achievement in the physical activity domain. This motivational model consists of three competency, or ability, subgroups. First, cognitive competence, addresses academic performance, such as wanting to do well in science class (Harter, 1982). Second, social competence concerns relationships, feeling important, and wanting acceptance from others (Harter, 1982). Third, physical competency, deals with outdoor and sport participation (Harter, 1982). Further, within each subgroup (cognitive, social, or physical), perceived competence will serve as a mediator between actual competence and the related activity (Harter, 1982). For instance, a child who feels confident in his or her basketball skills will practice more in an attempt to improve those skills …show more content…
Though McKiddie and Maynard (1997) did not find that children at age 12 years exhibit accurate perceived competence as previous studies, accuracy did improve with age (Harter, 1981; Horn & Hasbrook, 1987; Horn & Weiss). Additionally, Horn and Weiss (1991) found children with different levels of perceived competence (higher, lower, or accurate) in relation to their actual competence used different information feedback sources. Specifically, children with under or accurate levels of perceived competence relied on peer comparisons for informational feedback, but children with higher levels of perceived competence used skill improvement over time as the feedback
(Callender, n.d.). With this participation gradually increasing in the U.S. adolescents, sport specialization including year-round sport specific training, participation on multiple teams of the same sport, and focused participation in a single sport is also claimed to be increasing in frequency in predolescent children across the world (Mostafavifar, n.d.). Children have been involved in little leagues since the 1800’s, and with the rising problems of obesity in today’s children, I believe it is important to encourage involvement in physical activity. This could be either a positive or negative viewpoint on early sport specialization, depending on how it is looked at. It is estimated that between 18 and 28 million American children are to be involved in some type of organized sports participation.
Looking back at Statskys essay she noted that children quits sports mostly “apart from their change in interest” but also because of “…lack of playing time, failure and fear of failure, disapproval by significant others and psychological stress ” (3) one will agree with me that teenagers are influenced by the parents, coaches and their friends. This group of people are considered as outside forces in every sport thereby making them loose interest in sports and not the sport discouraging the children from indulging. I do not agree that competitive sport is derailing Children advantage to partake in sporting competitions; rather it tends to develop their skills, needs and abilities.
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.
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.
Youth sports parenting can be very impactful for children depending on the parenting style. In the article of “Why Kids Quit Sports” the author discusses the major roles that parents play in their kid’s youth sports life. He discusses a personal experience that he had before with a young player from his little league discussing a conversation with one of his team players. He says that a young athlete had told him that she did not want to do sports anymore because her dad kept on coaching her in the car and sidelines of each game. She stated, “I can’t play when he is around, and he insists on coming to every game, every road trip, you name it. It’s like it’s more important to him than it is to me” (“Why Kids Quit Sports”). Parents are the main
Youth sports are a very important part of a child’s development. Youth sports allows kids to grow as a people and to learn important life lessons. Youth sports also allow kids to interact with people as well as work together with others as a unit to achieve a goal. However, kids are being forced, and pushed in sports at too young of an age by their parents. The number of kids who play youth sports is at an all time low in the country, and parents are a major cause of the problem. In the U.S. by age 15, 80 percent of children who play a sport quit the sport (Atkinson). Kids are being pushed too hard at a young age; children are also being forced by their parents to “specialize” in a single sport in a hope for the child to become a professional
Every year there are a number of children who withdraw from participating in youth sports. While countless leave sports to pursue other interests, a significant number detest their experience in sport. From the intense practices to pressure-filled competitions, young athletes can feel a considerable amount of stress. If this stress remains for an extended period of time, children experience “burnout” and lose their desire to continue playing. There are two ways parents can avoid youth sports burnout for their children: making sure the children have a healthy balance in their lives and giving the children input into decisions. While sports require dedication in order to achieve a high level
How would it feel to see children lose the ability to play the sports they love? Many children are left out of playing sports every year because of financial reasons. This issue has been around for decades both within Canada and internationally as well. Since 2005 Canadian Tire Jumpstart charity continues to address the ongoing need in communities to make physical activity a priority in the lives of Canadian children including supporting in over 310 local chapters.(Include reference) Jumpstart is dedicated to giving kids the opportunity to play sports by giving financial support to the families who can not provide it for their kids. Many families are left to see their kids left out of playing the sports they love, but with the support of Jumpstart
School funding cannot be solely to blame for the decrease in physical activity in the education environment. With the increased emphasis on the need to achieve academic aptitude, children as well as their adult parents see athletics as an extra, or something that can be done when and if homework is completed. Not to say that this is not commendable, but evidence supports the fact that athletic programs have the ability to turn at-risk youth in positive directions. Sports programs promote healthy social and physical development while offering positive alternatives to high risk behavior.
These days, there is too much pressure on children who participate in organized sports because of the unnecessary parental involvement they experience. A growing concern amongst those involved in youth sports is that certain aspects of parental involvement become detrimental to the development and experiences of young athletes. Early emphasis on winning, making money, and the disruption of education can exceedingly affect ones desire to further participate in a sport later on in his/her life.
Standage, M., Duda, J. L., & Ntoumanis, N. (2003). A model of contextual motivation in physical education: Using constructs from self-determination and achievement goal theories to predict physical activity intentions. Journal of educational psychology, 95(1), 97.
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...
Coalter et al. (1994) illustrated that those who stayed in education after the minimal school leaving age had higher rates of sports participation than the school leavers. This statement inspired the author of this review to research, and essentially ascertain what implications and constraints occur in an adolescent and adult environment when considering participating in sport.
Pros and Cons of Children in Sports On Friday, October 18, 2013, Aledo High School and Western Hills High School squared off in a football game. It was a great game for those rooting for Aledo High because they won the game 91 – 0. At the time these two teams played, ESPN of Dallas/Fort Worth had Aledo ranked number one in the state in class 4A high school football. With a massacre like that, one may ask if the Western Hills Football team knew why they had lost so badly. Would this game have made state and national news if it had been played but no score was kept?
Children who participate in sports are developing rapidly in sports skills, sportsmanship, and psychologically, but does this come from organized sports are just nature’s process. Children develop emotional and social benefits from participating in sports. Children experience character and leadership development through peer relations leading to an increase in self-esteem and a decrease in anxiety levels. Children will get opportunities to experience positive and negative emotions throughout their practice and games trials. It is important for the coach to understand the “psychology of youth sports and physical activity participation” (Weinberg & Gould, 2011 p.516).