Excessive Survivalism Is A Sport

In “Children Need to Play, Not Compete,” Jessica Statsky argues that younger children should not be involved in overly competitive sports. Statsky wrote that organized competitive sports were to the disadvantage of children both physically and psychologically. In youth athletics, some parents and coaches put their own dreams in front of their children 's’ well-being by stressing winning. Statsky concludes “all organized sports activities” to be remade as a more enjoyable game regardless of each athlete’s ability and athleticism. The author states many issues that kids have when they are forced to play a sport just to win or that they don’t enjoy. Some kids just don 't enjoy sports, but their parents force it on them. Certain organized sports programs promote winning over physical skills and self-esteem. Statsky brings up valid points that early childhood shouldn’t involve intense physical competition, which is associated with the risk of injury to the body and mind.

Sabo tells his readers “I learned to be an animal. Coaches took notice of animals. Animals made first team. Being an animal meant being fanatically aggressive and ruthlessly competitive” (7). This shows that the interference of acknowledgment of ones emotions caused by the normalized pain of injuries and the tough love generated throughout the sport is unacceptable if you want to be seen. The dogmatic belief of “pain is more important than pleasure” (10) is continuously being passed down through generations of teams. Society is teaching boys to look at taking pain as a badge of honor and courage. “I learned that pain and injury are ‘part of the game” (6). Most people want to get into sports or activities to have fun, but there are others, like Sabo, who play a sport to win a reward. “Like a young child who learns to dance or sing for a piece of candy, I played for rewards and payoffs” (3). In high school, I remember the teenage boys who succeeded in football were well-known across the school, dated the girls they wanted, and were accepted for the tough guys they seemed to be. “Winning at sports meant winning friends and carving a place for myself within the male pecking order” (3).

A point of disagreement among many parents of children who play competitive sports is if the benefits outweigh the risk of injury. It is clear that competitive sports aren’t worth the risks, with high mental costs to send a child where they would be pressured to not let down the team, and when all it takes is a hit to the head to sustain life-changing injuries.

Over the years, the growth and changes in competitive sports has increased significantly. Sports games are now available twenty four seven weather it’s on national television or the radio, these activities have become a staple to American culture. Due in part to this, organizations have changed American athletics from more of a fun playtime to competition. Although, we may enjoy watching an intense sports game on television, the emotional and physical long term effects outweigh the entertainment of the people eagerly watching these activities occur. Also, the motivation to play the sport has become less about the team aspect and more about the emphasis on victory. Due to the unhealthy support from those around developing athletes, they’re

Psychology impact of sport injuries is a topic no one hears much about until an athlete is injured and goes through it himself/herself. High school athletes as well as professional ones both are exposed to injuries at any time, the impact of this injury might be the same. Getting injured is devastating for most athletes, what they don’t hear much is how bad it can get to them mentally. Depending on the injury, some athletes are able to return to the sport, others are not so lucky. When they are affected emotionally or mentally, it does not only affect them, but their team, the fans, and even the coaches. In most cases, these injuries and the rehabilitation process are often followed by psychological consequences which can impact the athletes’ well-being, as well as their chances of returning to their sport. The importance of sport psychology will be discussed throughout the paper to give a better understanding on how it affects athletes when dealing with a sport injury. Being aware of the psychological symptoms, as well as knowing how to avoid the effects could make a difference on someone. As well as knowing how important rehabilitation is when wanting to return to the game as soon as possible, if probable.

Jack London’s quote “The proper function of man is to live, not exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.” means that people should live life to the fullest make waves don’t just sit around make a difference in the world. His analysis is that people have to live in this world and that we should not waste our time trying to prolong them because the end will eventually come. Extreme sports are sports or activities that are called extreme by people who think they are extremely dangerous. Extreme sports give an adrenaline rush to everybody, but according to the article, “Camp for Kids with Autism Offers Extreme Therapy”, states that “...it’s overload times 20, or times 100.” (2)The point of the camp is take kids who have autism

We as a people are preoccupied with the notion of greatness. Our role models are athletes, actors and actresses, and other figures in the public eye. Many of us often desire to be better off than our current state; to look better, to be in better shape, etc… We compete with each other for jobs, for mates, for grades, for parking spots, and in sporting activities. This competitive nature is a way of life, especially in sporting activities, often learned as a child and built upon throughout adulthood. But where do you draw the line? At what point do the “costs” of winning or being “better” outweigh the benefits? Maybe it’s too much when you start putting your own health in serious jeopardy

As many people know, sports are dangerous. However, most coaches and spectators say things like, “tough it out” or “no pain no gain” to these players. But if a player plays with

Athletes are always trying to improve their performance and skill in sports. This can harm themselves by overtraining, adopting eating habits that damage them physically or psychologically, and using steroids or illegal supplements banned by the NCAA. Sports injuries are often the result of overuse or trauma to a part of the body. Several risks like injuries include heat illness and dehydration, concussions, and trauma-related deaths. These illnesses include heat syncope, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and exertional hyponatremia. These illness can end one's career in a blink of an

“Why Parents Should Let Their Kids Play Dangerous Sports” is a persuasive essay written by Jeb Golinkin expressing the risks and injuries that occur in many sports. However, Golinkin also expresses the necessity of sports and how they help teach teamwork, sportsmanship, toughness, and competiveness only learned from collective team sports. “…Powerful athletic enterprises has very real costs for the participants who deliver the thrills” (Paragraph 2, Line 7-8) is part of a statement from Golinkin where he is establishing that injuries are a fact when participating in sports. He states a couple of particular events in the history of sports where injuries have caused permanent injuries and even death. The cases of serious injuries were expressed and had heartfelt concern behind them in his report, however, he defends these dangerous sports by further stating benefits that are gained from participation. There is a quote from Barack Obama where he expresses his a strong opinion on football by saying, “If I had a son, I’d have to think long and hard before I let him play football.” (Paragraph 6, Line 2-3) Golinkin finalizes his opinion in his conclusion by explaining that he believes one’s child should be able to make their own decision to play sports.

Jessica mentioned in the essay that competitive sports are psychologically damaging to children. Kids tie their ability to win and their performance to their self-worth and self-esteem. Her suggestion for fixing this issue is to not allow any competitive sports that allow scoring between the ages of six thru ages nine. One of the works that she cited said that children are more survivalist in nature and not physical. I would argue that from the moment of birth we are competitive in nature. Children below the age of twelve think more on the survivalist spectrum. However, a crying baby is trying to survive by competing with the mother for her attention. This competition leads to survival. If this is not fostered and groomed properly by the adults involved within and outside of the sports arena then it can cause psychological harm, no different than a neglectful

Negligence is “an act or omission which violates a legal duty and creates an unreasonable risk of harm to another, resulting in injury” (Rosenthal, 2003-2004). Every sport possesses its own unique risks. “Personal injuries are not only a consequence of competition, they are an object of that competition” (Fitzgerald, 2005). Sports require and encourage rough play. Those who participate know this and accept those risks.

In one of the segments in the video Not Just a Game, Dave Zirin introduces the concept of the merger of manliness and sports. The central theme of this argument is that in order to be a real man, one would have to sacrifice his body, and be even more vulnerable to injury (Zurin). This is all to serve the ultimate goal, to win the game (Zurin). However, as stated in the film, this leads to the blurring of ethical lines, as athletes start to cheat, like take

Sports are not for everybody, not only because of talent level, but because a certain mindset is to be had to be successful at any sport. A commitment is made. Forty hours of practice a week, the average amount of time spent practicing for football players, all for a one hour game, the average time of one game of college football, takes dedication. That is not even counting the time spent icing, resting, and studying the playbook or film, not to mention the school work to be kept up with for college and high school students. Most athletes have become used to the grind and juggling three or four time consuming activities all at one time while being successful at each. Waking up at the break of dawn, following a schedule, and suffering consequences when a bad choice is made creates character and discipline that is often needed for many little league, high school, and college athletes. The most important non tangible thing sports teach anyone is how to get back up after falling, how to get knocked down but get right back up and keep going, how to move on from failure and overcome it, focusing on the next important part of life. These skills of determination and courage taught through sports are essential for being successful in any part of life and are hard to come by anywhere

On the other hand, in real life, athletes are stuck with the outcome and its impact. It seems that in other areas of life, this is understood. Over exaggerated and unrealistic courtroom, hospital, and cop show dramas serve as a form of entertainment, so unfairness is accepted. However, sports are viewed as an escape from reality in which the good guy has a chance (Phillips). However, the reality of the situation is that the myth of sports being morally rewarding is as much a part of society as sports being an escape when morality fails (Phillips). Essentially, in fictional sports, the outcome of the game does not determine whether the hero is successful. In this genre, accomplishments are measured in whether the hero exemplifies his virtuous nature. The reality of the game being fictitious enables the plot to take on a more intricate meaning, which is exemplified in football themed television series Friday Night