Sports As A Tool For Development Of Social Character Development

Children who participate in sports are less likely to be overweight or obese, have higher self-esteem on average, and are generally more invested in their academics. Sports are oftentimes seen as a gateway to academic opportunity, particularly for kids with fewer resources. While this logic is inherently problematic, it is true that high schoolers who were involved with organized sport were more likely to be enrolled in college later on. Youth sports also give children a place to develop socially by teaching them about teamwork, leadership, and compromise. Team sports in particular can provide children with a sense of belonging to a group, and therefore increase their self-esteem and improve their social competence. There are dozens of reasons why youth sport is important and beneficial to a child’s development, and with millions of participants each year in the United States alone, it doesn’t look like youth sports will be going anywhere anytime

Sports can be viewed as a learning environment that helps individuals learn life lessons, foster strong work habits and develop core values all the while learning a sport skill. Youth sports that truly benefit young athletes should be structured to emphasize participation more than just competition. Children enjoy a sport more when they are able to have fun (Humpries). Despite many excesses some sport programs still manage to promote important virtues like self- confidence, teamwork, personal responsibility, coping skills, and persistence. Through sports kids can learn to stay organized and learn how to prioritize (Ferguson). Sports enables development of physical skills and increasing proficiency makes kids feel good about themselves. It teaches kids that failure is something to overcome and and not to fear (Meyerhoff 8-9). Youth sports has many aspects that are truly benefiting for children, but these benefits are slowly being clouded by the negatives that are prominent in today's youth sports.

At school, peers can change adolescents’ attitudes about a sport that was previously enjoyed. Even students who are talented at a particular sport may quit it because

Many youth sports are part of community organized after-school programs. There are many different types of these programs such as T-Ball, Little League Baseball, Pop Warner Football, soccer, martial arts, cheerleading, and so forth. “There are over 40 million youth participating in organized sports, and both girls and boys have a dazzling array of choices and can play a sport year round” (Le Menestrel and Perkins 13). Communities use youth sport as an outlet to encourage social activity, a healthy lifestyle, and skill development for that particular sport. For example, “Participation in organized sports can provide opportunities for youth to learn more about specific skills and exercises associated with a particular sport” (Perkins and Noam 76). These programs offer opportunities to boost skills and connect positively with others. Without these activities, parents will have to find another developmental setting that may not give similar or beneficial outcomes as those of organized youth sport. Studies found that, “Sports

Those who play any type of sport in their childhood are known to have a higher confidence level. Confidence is something that some kids and teenagers struggle with while growing up. They struggle with who they are and their purpose. Playing a sport can give a child a sense of accomplishment. They can set a goal and then beating that goal they gain accomplishment. Setting

ii. By participating in sports, teens can learn to communicate effectively with their fellows especially when an instant decision is required.

Today’s youth is our society’s future, which is why it is important to keep them safe and out of harm’s way. Children and teens who get into trouble are more likely to continue doing so as they reach adulthood. It is important to give children an alternative extra-curricular activity than hanging out with their friends unsupervised with peer pressure all around them. Sports can be a great way to help these children improve their lives.

There could be other explanations for these findings; however, athletic competition serves as an excellent training activity for individuals who are already highly motivated to succeed. Youth athletes have a greater connection and involvement in the community, many even give back by volunteering their time to be coaches as adults. By participating in sports, youths are more likely to make friends, better able to acquire emotional control, learn the value of team work, and exhibit initiative, all of which are social skills that can contribute to a better community. There is no question that providing opportunities for youth to play a sport provides community benefit; if for no other reason, than idle time can be filled with activities that are healthy and

This study deals with high school athletics and their long-term effect in the lives of those who participate; it also deals with the positive and negative aspects of athletics during high school, and the treatment of those who participate. This study was conducted with qualitative data obtained from five personal interviews with previous high school athletes. These five people come from a range of places, ages, and experience. Conclusions are that participation in high school athletics is a contributor to a better social life and experience during high school. Good friends and influences are obtained through the pursuit of high school athletics. The long-term effects

The psychological and social benefits of playing high school sports enhances the development of social interaction within the teen-oriented

It’s important for a child to understand the positive impacts of competition despite a loss in a game. Adults go through competition everyday, from getting a job after a successful interview or missing it from an unsuccessful interview to promotion because of work well done or demotion at work. The basics of competition taught early helps a child succeed later in life. Team Sport equips a child to cope with competition in a friendly environment. Achieving a goal by being part of a team will help a child gain healthy competitive skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. Sports also help a child cope well with both a loss and a win as part of life. Learning to positively handle both the winning and losing side of playing a sport combined with good sportsmanship is a characteristic that carries over from childhood to

Social support groups act as a lifeguard as adolescent cope with these new demanding situations. Negative effects can occur if the social support fails to help build confidence to tackle challenging circumstances. Youth may have a tendency to give-up or develop a lack of confidence to cope with challenging situations such as in sports. Many sport activities include acquiring new skills, interacting with others, making tough decisions and becoming very competitive, these situations bring a new level of stress for adolescent. Therefore, it is very important to have a support system that will assist the adolescent in feeling good about their activities, whether in sports or in academics (Oswalt, 2010).

153). Social play through organized sports gives the adolescent a means for physical activity thus, increasing self-esteem through appearance. By increasing the participation rate, the physical ability of the adolescent increasing once again provides an “opportunity to demonstrate these attributes” (Findlay & Coplan, 2008, p. 158). Sports participation increases the athlete’s self-esteem and well-being over their non-participant peers. The psychosocial benefits for adolescents through sports participation provide an advantage context for skills (physical and social), self-esteem, and anxiety reduction.

Youth participation in sport has become increasingly popular as time progresses, whether it is in an organized fashion (sports teams) or unorganized (playing outside at recess). There is “approximately forty-four million girls and boys currently [participating] in organized youth sport programs across the United States” (Albrecht, 2010) and that number is probably only higher today. That is not even accounting for all the children that get together with their friends and head to a local park to play a game of touch football or their time at recess during the school day. Both unorganized play and organized sports are important for children to participate in because it allows them to grow as human beings by developing character

The experiences of failing and trying again provide a learning process that can translate to greater achievement in school.  “A controlled longitudinal study found that adolescents who participated in sports showed improved grade point averages, had increased attachment to school, and were more likely to attend college” (Larson, Reed, and Sean Seepersad).  The persistence children learn while playing sports will carry on in other parts of life, such as learning in school, leading to continual success.  While playing basketball, I began to grow more mentally and socially.  I stayed more active in the games and reacted faster; I would be ready to block a sudden dash to our hoop.  In other activities, such as math, I began solving equations quicker and was more focused.  Also, as a child I was a quiet and shy.  When playing the game, I could not just stand back; I had to get into the action by challenging the ball or trying to get a pass.   As my confidence developed, I became more bold and outgoing in other parts of my life.