Major Problems in Youth Sports

In class on February 26th, 2013, we discussed the major problems in youth sports today. Before I talk about the issues we came up with in class, I would like to explain my opinion on what I believe to be the biggest issue in youth sports. I believe that parent involvement is a huge issue in youth sports today. Not only do I believe this, but I also found a strong believer in this as well in an article online. Parents put way too much pressure on their kids to be the best at such an early age. It is not about being the best, its about being able to play and have fun, especially at such a young age.







One major problem discussed in class is overemphasis on winning. Winning should not be taught as one of the top goals in youth sports, they should be focused on their own personal goals instead. The second issue discussed was pressure by significant others to achieve success. Even friends place a major impact on putting pressure on the youth causing them sometimes to not be successful. The third issue was instilling unrealistic goals of stardum or professional status. Some parents may push their kids to this level because they want them to grow up and be successful and become a pro athlete, even though odds may be slim. The fourth and last issue we discussed was overuse injuries, over training, and burnout. By setting unrealistic goals, it can sometimes cause an injury due to the over training. By pushing young athletes above their comfort zone, it could cause them to be burnout from the sport which could mean that they do not have an interest in the sport anymore. Found again in Coakley's text on page 139, here is the youth sports national report card....

1. Child-Centered Philosophy: D
2. Coaching: C
3. Health and Safety: C+
4. Officiating: B-
5. Parental behavior/Enviornment: D

http://alphamom.com/parenting/youth-sports-theyll-make-you-crazy-if-you-let-them/

Benefits of Sports for Youth

In class on February 21st, 2013, we talked about the benefits of sports for youth. In my opinion, I think sports for youth is good for many reasons. It helps them develop a good set of communication skills followed up with team work. It helps them start new friendships at a young age that could last a lifetime. It also helps them set personal goals for their future. It gives them a good insight on the meaning of competition and helps them realize that sometimes winning isn't everything. We can relate sports to everything we do in life, and its good for them to realize that at such a young age. I believe sports can mature someone from a young person to an adult.

Here is the list of the main benefits that were mentioned in class

• Develops and maintains fitness
• Preparation for adulthood
• Opportunity to learn values
• Teaches interactive skills
• Produces opportunities for leadership

In my opinion, the world we live in today is not a very healthy society. So I strongly believe that developing and maintaining fitness is the best benefit you can get from participating in sports. Found on page 144 of Sports in Society: Issues and Controversies by  Jay Coakley, research shows that playing youth sports can enhance social and physical development, but it doesn't do this automatically, nor is it likely when programs are not organized to match the overall maturational level of the children who play in them.

Why do boys and girls participate in sports? (Top 5 reasons, ranked from most important to least, discussed in class)

Boys

1. Competition
2. Fitness
3. Recognition
4. Friends
5. Parents

Girls

1. Friends
2. Parents
3. Fitness
4. Competition
5. Recognition

http://www.livestrong.com/article/95377-benefits-sports-children/

Athletes as Role Models

In the world today, we set athletes on high standards. When growing up, kids tend to look up to people. Not just people in general, but more professional athletes than anything. A major contributor to this is the fact that kids can see these athletes on television and all through the media. In my opinion, athletes should act as role models. They know their every moment in life is going to be publicized, so they need to act respectful for those who admire them. In my American Sport in the 21st Century class, on February 17th, 2013, we talked about these following important character qualities:

• Honesty
• Commitment
• Good sportsmanship
• Sense of humor
• Fairness
• Determination
• Good self-image
• High moral values

Also mentioned in class, in the beginning of the 21st century, athletes viewed being a role model as part of their jobs. I feel that every single professional athlete should make being a role model as part of their job, but there are some athletes who think otherwise. For example, found in an article online, Charles Barkley, a former NBA basketball player, gave his opinion on this topic. In a 1993 Nike ad featuring Charles Barkley, people criticized Barkley about his opinion he gave about being a role model. The words spoken by Charles Barkley are...

"I am not a role model. I am not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball, doesn't mean I should raise your kids."

You can read more about this in the article linked below. Another thing mentioned in class was who are and who are not good role models.

Good Role Models

• Pat Tillman
• Tim Tebow
• Michael Jordan

Bad Role Models

• Dennis Rodman
• Mike Tyson
• Ron Artest
• Charles Barkley

Dennis Rodman  







                                                  

  Pat Tillman












http://bleacherreport.com/articles/376089-professional-athletes-as-role-models-is-it-their-job