How Does Participation in Sports Encourage Positive Youth Development?
Bryseida Cuellar
N. Fox
February 1, 2012
English 132-027 To play or not to play? Many adults argue that playing sports doesn’t make a difference in the way teenagers or adolescents behave. Many studies show several affects on children’s behavior when they are involved in sports. Different characters such as manners, leadership, social skills, and others are proven to be developed over time within participation in sports. I have found two articles arguing why kids should participate in sports and how it affects their behavior in a positive way. The first article argues First Article: Youth problem behaviors, such as truancy, violence, and substance use, are alarming to parents, teachers and youth alike. These behaviors disrupt the learning environment and lead to serious social and economic problems. Some experts have argued that rather than trying to prevent individual problem behaviors, parents, schools and communities should work towards building a youth's ability to resist the lure of problem behaviors (Dryfoos, 1990; Werner & Smith, 1992). As youth develop, they need positive settings that offer the opportunity to build these important internal resources (Hawkins & Weiss, 1985). Researchers and teachers have long suggested that extracurricular activity participation can be an important source of positive influence in the lives of youth (Holland & Andre, 1987). This Fact Sheet will explore how youth participation in extracurricular activities can encourage positive youth development. Second Article: is putting a child into a competitive sport beneficial for them? Some people believe competitive sports to have a negative impact on children. It’s hard on their bodies, they tend to put sports before education, and it puts a great deal of pressure on the child to win and if not it can lower the child’s self-esteem. Yes, like everything in life, it has its negatives, but its positives outweigh its negatives by a numerous amount.
N. Fox
February 1, 2012
English 132-027 To play or not to play? Many adults argue that playing sports doesn’t make a difference in the way teenagers or adolescents behave. Many studies show several affects on children’s behavior when they are involved in sports. Different characters such as manners, leadership, social skills, and others are proven to be developed over time within participation in sports. I have found two articles arguing why kids should participate in sports and how it affects their behavior in a positive way. The first article argues First Article: Youth problem behaviors, such as truancy, violence, and substance use, are alarming to parents, teachers and youth alike. These behaviors disrupt the learning environment and lead to serious social and economic problems. Some experts have argued that rather than trying to prevent individual problem behaviors, parents, schools and communities should work towards building a youth's ability to resist the lure of problem behaviors (Dryfoos, 1990; Werner & Smith, 1992). As youth develop, they need positive settings that offer the opportunity to build these important internal resources (Hawkins & Weiss, 1985). Researchers and teachers have long suggested that extracurricular activity participation can be an important source of positive influence in the lives of youth (Holland & Andre, 1987). This Fact Sheet will explore how youth participation in extracurricular activities can encourage positive youth development. Second Article: is putting a child into a competitive sport beneficial for them? Some people believe competitive sports to have a negative impact on children. It’s hard on their bodies, they tend to put sports before education, and it puts a great deal of pressure on the child to win and if not it can lower the child’s self-esteem. Yes, like everything in life, it has its negatives, but its positives outweigh its negatives by a numerous amount.