Pushing Too Hard Too Young

Pushing Too Hard Too Young
SOC/105

Pushing Too Hard Too Young
There are several reasons a parent would enroll his or her child in sports, it is rather difficult to narrow it down to just one. Some may consider the most important reason to be the physical and mental benefit that comes from the experience of a child’s involvement in sports. When a child has won a game or is accepted onto a team it boosts his or her self-esteem. Parents want what is best for his or her children and will strive to make sure the child achieves his or her desire. Although at times parents tend to forget the fun involved in playing sports and turn sports into ensuring his or her child is the best player on the team.
The first verified existence of sports occurred in 776 BC when Greece held the first recorded Olympic Games (Jezek, 2013). Based on this date one can conclude logically that competiveness in sports has been in existence just as long. One can also conclude that children watching these Olympic Games were taught competiveness at an early age. Consider the classic children’s game musical chairs as one example of teaching children to compete at an early age. The structure of the game centers on music and chairs, one fewer chairs than players, or children. When the music stops, the children scramble to sit in the chairs, however; one child will be left with no chair to sit in. These children are learning skills and strategies, but they are also learning competiveness. One can argue that teaching children competition builds character and produces excellence; however, another can argue the latter. Wanda Hollaway, the memorable Texas cheerleader mom who went to trial for plotting to kill a rival mother so that Hollaway’s daughter could win a spot on the eight-grade cheerleading squad at her Texas middle school is an example of competition gone too far. One can see society has become carried away with the need to be number one; society tends to push children too hard and too fast to become winners. A memorable quote from the popular Will Farrell movie, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” says, “If you ain’t first, you’re last” (McKay, 2006). In this simple sentence one can decipher that what is taught is that if one does not win, one must be a loser.
According to a 2006 CNN article an estimated 41 million American children are taking part in competitive youth sports (Hilgers, 2006). In this article Dr. Dan Gould, the director of the Michigan State University Institute for the Study of Sport, claims “one of the biggest concerns in youth sports, is parents who push their kids to “premature specialization,” where kids focus all their skills on one sport and endure year-round training. It can lead not only to burnout but also sport injuries” (Hilgers, 2006).
Considering the overwhelming influence of competiveness involved in today’s sports, youth sports can be viewed as not how sports used to be. Whether or not an individual wins a game he or she still receives a prize. Many people are appalled at this idea because if the child had not won he or she should not receive a prize. Conversely, this new scenario of youth sports seems fair. Previously children would play sports at local parks for the fun aspect without the stress of parents signing this or her child up and pay a fee. However, sports today cost per team member in addition to the expense of uniforms for the team. Because the parent is paying a fee for his or her child to participate in a sport the parent can think the child should do his or her best and win the game. Here the competiveness is brought in. It is to be expected for a parent to encourage his or her child to do his or her best at everything they do, but sometimes it becomes much more than that. Parents can add unnecessary pressure on his or her child when pertaining to winning. If his or her child can win a game and continue to win that means he or she could work his or her way into a scholarship for college. Scholarships for colleges are not given out to everyone and are held with high regard. With the cost of college continuing to rise, parents can feel the pressure to encourage his or her child to practice more often. It can be understood that parents can push his or her child too hard, inadvertently forcing competitiveness while forgetting the fun involved in playing sports. Today children are expected to play to win and silently encouraged to do so by sport scouts that watch for the best players. Parents may have a one track mind, only looking at the potential scholarship, thus parents encourage their children to win. Sports were once played to give a person something to do, winning was a plus, but did not make a difference regarding who won. Times definitely have changed and perhaps, as some may choose to see, not for the better.
In the same way there are some negative effects of youth sports there also can be some benefits. Before coaching a little league baseball team, a coach may take a course to discover a young person’s foundation of his or her personality. In this course a coach would learn that some personality traits can be formed through responsible practices that occur in sports. A coach can teach each child to have control over his or her thoughts, actions, feelings, and that each child has the power to make both good and poor choices. Teaching children to recognize that they are accountable for his or her choices is a vital element of developmental growth. This life lesson also teaches responsibility, and that responsible people can be trusted to be dependable. A coach should never lose his or her temper, throw things, or scream in uncontrolled anger at any time. A coach should focuses on good sportsmanship, winning with dignity as well as losing with dignity (Responsibility and Sports p. 1).
As children set goals of attending practice on time, wearing the proper clothing for safety, and show good sportsmanship, they demonstrated responsibility. These lessons a coach can teach a child can carry over to into his or her life outside sports as well; such as attending class or work on time and being known as a dependable person.
National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) sets the standards for the thought process of the need for participation in multiple sports for rounded personal development of children. NASPE’s current position of children’s participation in more than one sport yield a more documented physical, mental, and social benefits.
When a child is under the age of 15, he or she is considered a minor and unable to make informed decisions for him or herself. Children under the age of 15 do not realize that specializing in a sport year round can bring forth several risks because of overtraining and excessive time committed to one activity. Avoiding this risk becomes the responsibility of the parent, guardian, or coach. Nevertheless, children given diverse activity opportunities can develop a wide range of physical, psychological, and social abilities as well as create a positive personality (Position Statement NSAPE).
Enrolling and teaching children sports and social activities at an early age is a celebrated way to teach social skills, active lifestyles, and pave the way for active adult lives. Even so, society must ensure that the pressures of competition and the desire to win are not a top priority. Although it is nice to win at something teaching children one cannot always win is essential to his or her growth. Just as teaching children to lose graciously is important it is just as critical adults maintain a positive attitude and lead by example.

References
Elkind, D. H. (2004). Responsibility and Sports. Retrieved from http://www.goodcharacter.com/Responsibility5.html
Hilgers, L. (2006). Youth sports drawing more than ever. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/03/rise.kids.sports/
Jezek, G. (2013). History of Sports. Retrieved from http://www.historyofsports.info/
Mithers, C. (2013). Are Kids ' Sports Too Competitive? Retrieved from http://www.parenting.com/article/are-kids-sports-too-competitive?page=0,5
National Associates for Sports and Physical Education. (2013). National Standards. Retrieved from http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/standards/nationalstandards/

References: Elkind, D. H. (2004). Responsibility and Sports. Retrieved from http://www.goodcharacter.com/Responsibility5.html Hilgers, L. (2006). Youth sports drawing more than ever. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/03/rise.kids.sports/ Jezek, G. (2013). History of Sports. Retrieved from http://www.historyofsports.info/ Mithers, C. (2013). Are Kids ' Sports Too Competitive? Retrieved from http://www.parenting.com/article/are-kids-sports-too-competitive?page=0,5 National Associates for Sports and Physical Education. (2013). National Standards. Retrieved from http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/standards/nationalstandards/