"It is easier to raise strong children than fix broken men," Frederick Douglass allegedly remarked in 1855. The 35 million children in the US that play sports certainly seem to support this conclusion. These so called "pastimes" have evolved into something far more significant than a hobby. These junior athletes dedicate years of their lives in hopes of achieving a scholarship, or even a professional career. Before these ambitious goals are fulfilled, however, many adolescents are forced or compelled to give up their passion, due to things like rejection, and overuse.
Rejection is hard in any case, but when one is rebuffed for a sport in a world where athletics are so important, it becomes crushing. Lauren Tarshis attests to this in her article …show more content…
"He wanted so badly to be part of that world," she remarks, before disclosing, "how much I wanted that for him too," on page 17. This shows that pressure is not only coming from the child's own feelings, but supplemented or even planted by the parents. To some, it makes the the rejection all the more humiliating. Furthermore, sporting events are pedestaled in America as in no other country. Children are taught to admire athletes from a young age, whether through the celebrity status of sportspeople or the social standing of jocks portrayed in television. People specialising in the arts or intellectual pursuits are considered outcasts, and these stereotypes present themselves in society …show more content…
Contrarily, according to page 14 of Playing with Pain, youths are especially susceptible to permanent injuries that can affect them for the remainder of their lives. These childhood injuries can impair their motor functions, and haunt the lives of adults. To demonstrate how, Crouch explains that the "growth spurt" prompted by puberty "creates tension and instability in the muscles and tendons, making them more fragile and more susceptible," on page 14, but remarks that biology is not the only factor causing this massive influx of injuries, just an important contributor. Yet, despite much evidence pointing to the contrary, children are encouraged to pursue what author Michelle Crouch dubs "warrior culture", where, rather than seeking immediate treatment for injuries, they work through the pain (page 14). The text states that it is communicated to the athlete that their brave sacrifice will be lauded by teammates, and by coaches. First, why is the "warrior mindset" promoted? To compel children to push themselves, not just to their limits, but past their breaking points? Clearly, such injuries can not only dim their enthusiasm for said sport, but also defeat any chance they have at a professional career with debilitating injuries. In this not-so rare occurrence, the entire point of straining oneself to become better is defeated. Warrior culture provides an explanation for why "overuse
Rejection is hard in any case, but when one is rebuffed for a sport in a world where athletics are so important, it becomes crushing. Lauren Tarshis attests to this in her article …show more content…
"He wanted so badly to be part of that world," she remarks, before disclosing, "how much I wanted that for him too," on page 17. This shows that pressure is not only coming from the child's own feelings, but supplemented or even planted by the parents. To some, it makes the the rejection all the more humiliating. Furthermore, sporting events are pedestaled in America as in no other country. Children are taught to admire athletes from a young age, whether through the celebrity status of sportspeople or the social standing of jocks portrayed in television. People specialising in the arts or intellectual pursuits are considered outcasts, and these stereotypes present themselves in society …show more content…
Contrarily, according to page 14 of Playing with Pain, youths are especially susceptible to permanent injuries that can affect them for the remainder of their lives. These childhood injuries can impair their motor functions, and haunt the lives of adults. To demonstrate how, Crouch explains that the "growth spurt" prompted by puberty "creates tension and instability in the muscles and tendons, making them more fragile and more susceptible," on page 14, but remarks that biology is not the only factor causing this massive influx of injuries, just an important contributor. Yet, despite much evidence pointing to the contrary, children are encouraged to pursue what author Michelle Crouch dubs "warrior culture", where, rather than seeking immediate treatment for injuries, they work through the pain (page 14). The text states that it is communicated to the athlete that their brave sacrifice will be lauded by teammates, and by coaches. First, why is the "warrior mindset" promoted? To compel children to push themselves, not just to their limits, but past their breaking points? Clearly, such injuries can not only dim their enthusiasm for said sport, but also defeat any chance they have at a professional career with debilitating injuries. In this not-so rare occurrence, the entire point of straining oneself to become better is defeated. Warrior culture provides an explanation for why "overuse