Should Competitive Sports Be Taught In Schools

The timer ticks down one second at a time. Your parents and coach are paused in anticipation on the sidelines as adrenaline rushes through your veins. This moment is one that many students and children dream about and practice every day for. Competitive sports are an integral part of everyone’s childhood. Many people are now trying to take these moments away from children. Competitive sports should definitely be encouraged in schools. They encourage fitness in children, provide a friendly competitive environment and give many life lessons such as teamwork, trustworthiness and accountability.

Today, we are faced with an epidemic. One that wastes our bodies away over many years until it cannot perform the most basic of tasks. This epidemic is obesity. Obesity is caused by inactivity and poor eating habits in most …show more content…
As “Parents help children’s sports dreams come true” by The Record states, “young athletes learn important life lessons through sports. They learn about teamwork, respect, sportsmanship and focus.” In addition to these, youth also learn about being accountable and trustworthy. Many youth view their coach as their role model and learn many important life lessons from them. Youth learn to practice properly and manage their time as well as how to limit stress and anxiety. These lessons will lead to a successful life. “A High School Athlete's GPA Vs. Average High School Student's GPA” by Fitzalan Gorman shows the effect of these life lessons on youth. He writes, “Researchers at Michigan State University determined that students who participated in vigorous sports did 10 percent better in Science, English, Math and Social Studies compared to other students.” This 10 percent difference in grades can determine someone’s life.

Competitive sports are a boon to youth across America. They encourage fitness, provide a friendly competitive environment and provide many life lessons all in a fun