Children have competed in sports for generations, and today that is something that still holds true, yet recently, children have not been getting enough exercise and obesity rates have spiked tremendously. This raises many different interests and ideas of what can be done to stop this. Every person has their own take on sports, but the main question that can provide two contradictory answers is “What are the values of having the youth compete in sports, and is it what’s best for the child?” Yes, sports provide children with a source of entertainment and enjoyment, but the benefits of signing your kid up for a sports team are much deeper than just simple fun. In order for kids to have the best chance of sustaining a healthy body and mind, participation …show more content…
Additional benefits extend into psychological development and improvement. Sports have been found to increase self-image and personal confidence even outside of the playing field. For example, doctors from MSU conclude from their research that a child who plays sports is two times as likely to be satisfied with themself. The great thing is that the test subject were not just happy with their appearance, they were additionally happy with their character, their current social status and their life as a whole. Being part a of a team with similar goals will increase the child’s value of their self. A child feels as if they are making and ultimate contribution to the team and that the team in dependent on them in one way or another. Whether a child takes the role of leadership or filling a difficult position, their endowment will contribute boosting their self-esteem and confidence. There are numerous studies that support the impact of youth sports on self-esteem, including a study by NCBI, in which the psychologist who conducted the study found that adolescents who participated in sports clubs viewed their health and their body image positively. In addition to increased self-esteem, is the strengthening of perseverance. Athletes are very often put in an adverse situations on the field. Whether it be in a game or during a practice, these high-pressure moments is when children retain the early development to persevere past challenges. These instances are frequent, allowing the child to make perseverance a regular in their attitude towards an obstacle. The reason this is so crucial in development for early adolescents is because practicing perseverance at a young age, and facing adversity better prepares children for greater obstacles in adulthood. Through this they develop better coping skills, become more efficient in critical thinking and better apply acclaimed skills in life when
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.
Athletes in times of difficulty can be important role models.” This shows that sports are in fact helpful because they can grow children into being important role models for the rest of society. Studies have shown time and time again that playing sports can be beneficial to children and we also believe this to be true. Many people still think that sports cause “too many injuries”, or coaches “are not fair enough”, but adolescents will experience these things all throughout their lives because injury can happen anywhere and they will not always be the best at what they are doing. Sports are beneficial to the youth because they can teach children and teens important life skills, help them maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle, all while improving their mental health.
One of the many benefits of playing sports is the children will build character. Building character is important because with character they will obtain new friends and develop different skills. Playing sports at a young age can build character in many ways, “Playing sports at a young age enables children to participate in social interactions and build skills such as teamwork, leadership, and responsibility as they learn to work with others to achieve a common goal,” (Aspen Institute). This is a benefit because they will build character from learning how to deal with wins and losses from playing sports. Also, they will develop different skills. Developing different skills will build character because, “numerous positive developmental indicators have been associated with sport participation, including improved self-esteem, emotional regulation, problem-solving, goal attainment, social skills, and academic performance,” (Holt). This shows how when children play sports that some of them acquire different skills than others. Lastly, some of the benefits that the children will receive from playing the sports are obtaining new friends and developing different
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.
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.
Sports teach kids to learn many life lessons, lessons that will be important such as working in a team or working hard toward a goal. Parents are far too involved in youth sports. In our current time, kids have no independence in sports, everything is parent run, with the intentions of the parent trying to have their kids win and become elite superstars. Atkinson writes in an article that in his home town of Methuen Massachusetts he and all the other kids in his town used to organize all the sports, and parents would help cover the financial part, but the sport itself was directed by the kids, the way youth sports should be run, for the interest of the kids. Kids should determine what goes on; kids should be able to experiment with different sports in a non hostile environment in which they can fun. Having fun is most important in youth sports along with learning life lessons. Kids who enjoyed youth sports growing up were more likely to go onto play high school sports (Atkinson). Of course there are exceptions in which some kids will want to be pushed in a sport; however, it must have the child's desire to be pushed not the parents’(Hatter). Lastly, as important as sports are in society in the 21st century especially in the U.S. kids need to be able to have a life outside of sports. Kids should be able to have fun away from sports (Katen). Kids should be kids, very few kids will be going professional in sports, and it is important kids
In his book, Leonard states, “Many children are exposed to organized competitive sport early in life, and their success and failures may either enhance or jeopardize the self-concepts they develop” (219). As he implies, sports have a major influence on childhood development. Healthy exercise, discipline, time management, and social skills are promoted in sports and cause the success which enhances the child’s self-concepts. Despite arguments from those who tend to be left out when it comes to a child’s sports career, mostly friends from outside of the child’s sport or team, these skills are incredibly valuable in the adult world and I believe that a child benefits exceptionally from learning these characteristics at an early age. When these attributes are developed in a child’s experience of sports, the results can only be positive.
Much like character development, fostering self-esteem in young athletes is dependent upon the way the sport is presented. If the sport is presented in a way that instills confidence and security, sports can instill or improve self-esteem. Once again, it is not the sport in itself that instills self-esteem but rather the way the sport is presented. However, there is a link between self-esteem and physical activity that may have a lot to do with why and how youth players can develop healthy self-esteem from sports. “Furthermore, in terms of child development, positive parental involvement can help develop important skills such as self-esteem, motivation and social skills”(Quinton)
One of the positives of youth participation in sports is that it is an effective way of children making new friends and developing social skills. Sports teams provide an introduction for children to talk to other children with whom they may not talk normally. This is a huge opportunity for overweight children that might not socialize with others very often. As Ann Rosewater – a spokeswoman for the organization Up2Us – puts it, “overweight children have reported that the best part of organized sports is making new friends” (13). Teamwork can create a strong bond between athletes who compete together. Working toward a common goal gives children a reason to become good friends in an attempt to reach their endeavor of winning. They learn to help other children when they see them having a tough time and learn to offer words of encouragement to them (Harle par. 3). Children are given a sense of camaraderie by playing a sport with peers and that sense can become so strong that they will go as far as considering each other a second family....
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).
The involvement in team sports builds good character and social development skills in children. According to LHSAA executive director, Kenny Henderson “Children who participate in sports have heightened self-esteem, social skills, ability to work well with others and more respect.” Young adults who have played team sports are less likely to take illegal drugs. Adults who played sports as children have better social and leadership skills. Sports provide children with experiences and interactions necessary to grow into an adult with good character and sufficient social skills. Team sports in grade school can offer children and teenager an outlet for stress and negative emotional build-up. Coaches, practices, games or meets and traveling all have a large impact on a person’s charter. Most children who have played a team sport at some time have character traits found in highly successful adults.
Children need autonomy, enjoyment and confidence in order to progress in any activity. (Lovell, J, 2016) Kids being kids, all they know about winning is at the end of the game have a higher score than the other team, but what they do not know is the byproduct of seeking such a reward. The level that the supporting cast expose the kids to is steep, in which in most cases are detrimental to the kids. The level that coaches and parents demand from the kids all the time is usually what drives the kids away from sports and the affect from the pressure usually results in withdrawal from the sports.
Quote from Samuel. As you can see from this quote, competitive sports build people's self esteem. According to Samuel, it feels really good to achieve your goals,and I think everyone feels that way. With sports it's a great way to set goals, because there are lots of things you could do. Then when you achieve those goals you feel really good about yourself.
...ased on their performance compared to other children. This can make them measure their self-worth based on their performance compared to others. It might just start with sports but it will expand into all areas of life. Sports can be a great emotional and physical outlet. They can relieve stress and help boost self-confidence.
The benefits of sports range from physical, mental, and social. Exercise keeps people fit, develops healthy muscle tone, and reduces heart and lung problems (Oak, Manali). Sports studies have shown that “youth are motivated and engaged in ways that do not happen regularly in any other parts of their lives. Their experience of sports stands out from nearly all other activities, including socializing and schoolwork, in providing enjoyment where they are exerting concerted effort toward a goal” (Larson, Reed, and Sean Seepersad). People who play sports bond over a common interest. This opens up children to meeting new kids and socializing with many more. In Kindergarten, I played baseball. Even though I did not truly understand all the mechanics of the game, I met new friends and began to develop motor skills. This was very useful starting at an early age and pushed me to stay active throughout my life.