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
reason why sports are no longer fun for kids because they don't really enjoy it if their parents making it unpleasant for their kids by always coaching and yelling at them. Parents contribute in their kids youth sports but need to be aware of their child’s interest.
The amount of unnecessary behavior by parents at youth sporting events is increasing rapidly and is ruining the kid's experiences and their passion for the sports. Parents in the United States are becoming more involved in their children's sports than the kids themselves. The reason that so many young American athletes are quitting at such an early age is because their parents are making the sports a joyless experience and are placing too much pressure on the kids to win and to be the best. Parents have become out of control at youth sports and it seems that the kids are showing more civility than the parents these days. Parents need to get back to teaching their kids that sports should be played for fun and not just for showing who's the best.
Leff, S., & Hoyle, R. (1995). Young athlete's perceptions of parental support and pressure. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 24(2), 187-203. Retrieved November 18, 2013, from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01537149#page-1
pp. 58-59. Kidman, Lynn, McKenzie, Alex, and Brigid. The nature of target parents' comments during youth sport competitions. Journal of Sport Behavior 98:1 (March 1999): 54-68.
High school coaches been sworn at called names and physically threatened by parents before,during, and after the games. Playing time is often at the root of the problem though sometimes a parent is outraged that their son or daughter isn’t being played at what the parent thinks is their child’s best position (Nolan). In addition, equal playing time is important because it developed every player skills.(Nicole). Take, for instance, the case of a young player who has never played for a club before. He’s 11 and charges around the place without being able to control the ball or kick. Many of his teammates didn’t think he should play for their team but the coach has been working with him and one day he wanted to let him play and believe it or not he did very well for his first game that he even made a goal for the team (David). The best thing to do whenever you’re in a sport is that the coaches
Amanda Ripley’s idea that athletics are a distraction in “The Case Against High-School Sports” sparked within me the question of whether all people are equally distracted by athletics in an environment which is heavily focused on academics. The author states, “During football season in particular, the focus of American principals, teachers, and students shifts inexorably away from academics.” I can clearly remember a day last May in high school where I had a late football practice and two AP test the following morning. I recall waking up very tired, sluggish, and upset that I did not get a last minute chance to look over my materials. I remember feeling like I had maybe taken on too much, but I knew I would be alright because I had prepared
Positive character development has been assumed by parents as they sign their children up for belonging to teams in youth sports. Yet, there are examples described by Peter Cary in an article about Fred Engh, a founder of the National Alliance for Youth Sports. In these examples, Engh relates some of the ugliest episodes of adult interactions such as coaches yelling at and belittling players into tears, parents physically assaulting umpires and officials in the full view of kids, adults intimidating or threatening young players because of perceived on-field failures (par. 1).
Stein G., Raedeke T., Glenn S. (1999). Children’s Perception of Parent Sport Involvement: It’s Not How Much, But to What Degree That’s Important. Journal of Sport and Behavior, 22, 591-601.
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.
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
In the articles, “The secret life of Tiger Woods” by Wright Thompson, and “Are parents ruining youth sports? Fewer kids play amid pressure” by Michael S. Rosenwald, there is a very similar occuring theme that is portrayed. It is if becoming an “elite athlete” is worth making big sacrifices like friends, family, and a normal childhood. I believe that the quest to become an elite athlete, is ultimately not worth the sacrifices it requires. One of the effects of being an “elite athlete” is that you will probably not learn the basic ways of how to live life. One time Tiger Woods was with the navy SEAL’s that he did fun things with like shoot guns, and jump out of airplanes, but one time they went out to eat, and when the waiter brought the
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.
The negative coaching style in youth sports can be very dangerous. This particular way of coaching can cause numerous issues for a child. Children suffer daily from lasting effects of abusive coaches. The positive approach to coaching has been proven to produce better athletes and more desire for the sport. Negative coaching does not just last throughout the sport, it can potentially last a lifetime. The effects of negative coaching can discourage future abilities, portraying a bad influence, and substantially decreasing a child’s self-worth.
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.
Sports Parents Pushing kids in sports can have a good and bad effect. Some parents, think their kids will be an all star athletes. Others just want their kids to be healthy. Over pushing kids can make them tired.
Kids have broken their bones and adults. I even have friends who broke the legs and arms. Some people have had concussions that could not go to school for over a week. Also even regular sports are just as dangerous because if you are playing soccer the ball could hit you in the head really hurt you.