Problems of Excess: Overzealous Parents
For many youth across the United States, participation in sports is a way of life. However, in recent years, youth sports participation has declined. One of the primary reason for this decline, is overzealous parents. Parents must reevaluate and reestablish programs that will encourage youth to participate in sports. The effects of overzealous parents on youth sports and athletes will be examined and ways to encourage youth to participate in sports once again will be presented.
Effects of overzealous parents on youth sports
Sports provide fun and entertainment for millions of youth across the United States. Many start out at an early age and continue throughout high school, college and into their adult …show more content…
Sadly, the Aspen Institute (2014) reports that children ages 6 to 12 who play sports regularly fell from 44.5 percent of that population in 2008 to 40 percent in 2013. These statistics clearly show there is serious decline in youth sports participation. Many experts point the finger at parents and blame them for the rapid decline in youth sports participation. Dr. E. Lyle Cain, the fellowship director of the American Sports Medicine institute, believes that many coaches and parents are trying to make youth sports into professional sports (Eitzen, 2012). This is certainly true as the landscape of youth sports has changed drastically. Parents view sports as an investment more now, than ever before and the stakes are extreme high every practice, tournament or game. Parents who are more financially stable and able to afford the long road trips, tournament fees and expenses such hotel, food, equipment, etc., are damaging what participating in sports use to be about, fun. Young athletes are forced to play for ultra competitive teams and leagues, which sometimes …show more content…
Many parents force their child to focus on one sport at an early with hopes of earning a full athletic scholarship, wealth or fame. A recent study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, found that young athletes who competed in three sports at ages 11, 13, and 15 were significantly more likely to compete at an elite national level in their preferred sport than those who specialized in only one sport at the ages of 11, 13, and 15 (Reed, 2014). Allowing a young athlete to participate in multiple sports helps them to develop more skill and overall athleticism. Chris Bates, head lacrosse coach at Princeton, says “once they (multi-sport athletes) get to college, they will specialize and will develop and blossom. They usually have a steep growth curve, whereas some of the kids who have been single-sport athletes tend to burn out quicker. Oftentimes, they don't have as much left in the tank." (Reed, 2014). Overall, ESS is not completely negative, as some young athletes benefit from it more than others. It all comes down to the desired goal and what the athlete would like to accomplish. Like adults, children can also burn themselves out from too much of one thing. Burnout is the result of chronic over-reaching and
For many youth across the United States, participation in sports is a way of life. However, in recent years, youth sports participation has declined. One of the primary reason for this decline, is overzealous parents. Parents must reevaluate and reestablish programs that will encourage youth to participate in sports. The effects of overzealous parents on youth sports and athletes will be examined and ways to encourage youth to participate in sports once again will be presented.
Effects of overzealous parents on youth sports
Sports provide fun and entertainment for millions of youth across the United States. Many start out at an early age and continue throughout high school, college and into their adult …show more content…
Sadly, the Aspen Institute (2014) reports that children ages 6 to 12 who play sports regularly fell from 44.5 percent of that population in 2008 to 40 percent in 2013. These statistics clearly show there is serious decline in youth sports participation. Many experts point the finger at parents and blame them for the rapid decline in youth sports participation. Dr. E. Lyle Cain, the fellowship director of the American Sports Medicine institute, believes that many coaches and parents are trying to make youth sports into professional sports (Eitzen, 2012). This is certainly true as the landscape of youth sports has changed drastically. Parents view sports as an investment more now, than ever before and the stakes are extreme high every practice, tournament or game. Parents who are more financially stable and able to afford the long road trips, tournament fees and expenses such hotel, food, equipment, etc., are damaging what participating in sports use to be about, fun. Young athletes are forced to play for ultra competitive teams and leagues, which sometimes …show more content…
Many parents force their child to focus on one sport at an early with hopes of earning a full athletic scholarship, wealth or fame. A recent study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, found that young athletes who competed in three sports at ages 11, 13, and 15 were significantly more likely to compete at an elite national level in their preferred sport than those who specialized in only one sport at the ages of 11, 13, and 15 (Reed, 2014). Allowing a young athlete to participate in multiple sports helps them to develop more skill and overall athleticism. Chris Bates, head lacrosse coach at Princeton, says “once they (multi-sport athletes) get to college, they will specialize and will develop and blossom. They usually have a steep growth curve, whereas some of the kids who have been single-sport athletes tend to burn out quicker. Oftentimes, they don't have as much left in the tank." (Reed, 2014). Overall, ESS is not completely negative, as some young athletes benefit from it more than others. It all comes down to the desired goal and what the athlete would like to accomplish. Like adults, children can also burn themselves out from too much of one thing. Burnout is the result of chronic over-reaching and