Are Competitive Sports Bad For Kids

Three out of four American families with school-aged children have at least one playing an organized sport — a total of about 45 million kids. Participation in sports is extremely important, and should be encouraged much more. Kids should play competitive sports because it provides them with a variety of fitness and teamwork opportunities. There are plenty of positive things that associates with competitive sports, rather than the bad. Nevertheless, competitive sports offer enrichment beyond what can be taught in the classroom or at home. Even though playing sports is fun, there are other reasons that competitive sports can help children grow. Athletics are about matching physical fitness and wit with other participants. That is one of
the great things about athletics and is why it is an important part of life and the society. Kids should be able to play competitive sports.

To start off, kids should be able to play competitive sports because they could be positively affected education wise. Some will argue that playing competitive sports are bad for children. Jacqueline Stenson, A MSNBC contributor wrote an article called, “Pushing Too Hard Too young?” says that things such as intense training schedules and the pressure to win at an early age, is the main reason why most athletes tend to burn out on their sport. This is showing how adolescents who start at a younger age will develop more mental problems in the future. However, others argue something different. For example, in the article “15 Reasons Competitive Sports are Good for Kids (Josephson),” minors are able to learn that competition drives youngsters to learn at a faster rate. The author, Anne Josephson, the vice president and CEO of Kids Sports, explains, “When the meet is on the horizon, kids work harder and faster. When adolescents are playing a game, they push a little harder. In doing so they can surprise themselves with what they are capable of accomplishing.” This is significant because it shows how the youth are able to pursue something fun, and also have an educational benefit to it. Josephson also brought people’s attention by talking about how competition causes minors to perform better in school. In the article she explains how participating in athletics leads to completing more years of high school and staying on top of their grades, while discipline and goal setting is learned in competitive athletics and helping schools. This demonstrates how well a kid can be able to perform well out on the field as well as in school. In conclusion, kids are able to learn how to cope with their education and managing physical activity at the same time.

Furthermore, sports teach children to stay away from the negative things that get thrown their way.
Between 30 million and 45 million American children participate in some form of athletics each year, adolescents are involved in competitive sports now more than ever. For example in the article, “Are Competitive Sports Bad for Kids?” written by Tanya Korman, a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) says that “Kids involved in athletics usually do better in school, are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, have good relationships with peers and have better health overall.” This shows that this youth learn how to not interfere with bad things that might come across them before, during, and after athletics This also relates to another article, “5 Things I Learned to Love About Competitive Sports,” by Leah Ariniello, a freelance journalist and a newspaper writer for New York Times. In this article, Ariniello explains that because of physical activity, minors will not have much time to get wrapped up in trouble such as social media. This is important because it teaches kids that there are other things in the work rather than the internet. Playing sports can be tons of fun. All in all, people learn how great competitive athletics can be if they just focus on
it. Additionally, physical activity also teaches children how to get along with their teammates, peers, and adults such as coaches and teachers.
A scientist has proven that after the kid has joined activities involving competition, he/she starts to treat the others around them, a lot better than usual. In fact, the “5 things I learned to Love About competitive athletics had something to say about it. In the article, it says adolescents start to learn to treat others how they would want to be treated. Ariniello goes to explain how children start to treat people how they want to be treated now more than ever. For the readers, this concludes the fact that being around something a child can love, can be a delight to have around, and the people around them. In the article, “15 Reasons Competitive Sports are Great For Kids,” it says that adolescents are able to manage their nerves when playing during physical activity. The author says that when something is out of a kid’s comfort zone, competition will bring that out, so you will be able to work on that. This demonstrates when children are put under pressure, sports can help to make them relax and/or
focus.

In conclusion, minors should be able to play competitive sports and improve their body. Participating in any competitive sport also improves the kids’ ability to handle pressure and still perform amazingly. Physical activities are a good thing because they help to stop violence and help people come together in harmony. Athletics help adolescents to release their competitive urges and help them get more exercise. Athletes that demonstrate humility and integrity towards respect among teammates, coaches, parents and opponents. Even though injuries and conflicts may occur, it still teaches children how to win and lose graciously. All in all, the fact that playing sport is good for everyone is completely undeniable because it helps our minds and bodies. This ultimately means that we will be living longer, happier lives.