Youth Sports: Beneficial Or Harmful?

I am a third-year student at Seton Hall University and I am writing to you with great enthusiasm regarding the internship opportunity with the non-profit organization, the National Urban League. I learned about the position during my winter break, as I wanted to use my leadership and interpersonal skills in working for a well-respected organization that dealt with issues that I consider important, which is improving African-Americans lives.

Are sports beneficial or detrimental to youth? Why and how? When and where? A lot of questions have been asked either by parents or by other people who are doing this type of research. Although the physical exercise provided by sports is essential, there are many other benefits both immediate and long-term. Some state that it gives children an opportunity to play Sports and interact with other children and form social bonds and relationships but along with that it is beneficial but from the research I looked at and my own opinion, I feel that most children drop out or do not play because of lack of interest or other reasons.

Many refer to the United States of America as a democracy: a republic that is of the people, by the people, and for the people; where ideals such as truth, justice, and equality reign. However, if one looks closer with a more cynical lens, they might find that this is nothing more than a half-truth. For America is not truly a democracy, as many say it is, but rather a strange mix of a constitutional republic with a dash of democratic ideals. Nowhere is it more evident that America doesn’t truly rely on democratic ideas than in the system of voting used to elect the “Leader of the Free World”: the Electoral College.

High School sports are a major part of the American society with over 5 million adolescents participating in sports every year. In the news broadcast “Kids and Sports” by CBS News it tells you that youth sports can greatly benefit a child in many different ways. Youth sports are helpful because they help develop character and confidence, keeps children healthy, and has positive effects on adolescents academics.

“Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose-it teaches you about life.”(Billie Jean King) Most students from first grade to twelfth grade say that sports are a big part of their life and make them who they were meant to be in a positive way. Some people might argue that students in sports or extracurricular activities have lower grades than the other students, but it's the opposite way around. Sports improve your performance in school because they strengthen your concentration ability and leadership traits.

Benefits of Youth Sports“Sports do not build character. They reveal it,” said John Wooden, legendary UCLA basketball coach. Playing sports not only provides physical activity, but also other positive benefits. This is especially true for children. A well-structured and organized youth program will provide benefits and positive experiences for young athletes. While children are having fun participating in sports they are also building character, learning to work as a team, and playing fairly. Most people think the only benefits of sports are physical. Sports are more than just developing hand-eye coordination and burning calories, youth sports provide many developmental benefits, physical benefits, and psychological benefits.

A lot of parents think that sports are too hard and too physical for teens and children, but sports are,actually, the best thing that will happen to these minors. Sports are a huge influence on children and teenagers, because participating in sports can actually influence the future of young men and women of today's generation. For the children and teenagers that start to play at a young age, sports can help children develop physical skills and learn how to work as a part of a team.

“A study shows that people who exercise say that they that it has an emotional effect on them.” Also, it “can positively affect aspects of personal development among young people” said Facts: Sports Activity and Children. In fact, “High school athletes are more likely than non-athletes to attend college and get degrees; team captains, MVPs achieve in school at even higher rates (US Dept. of Education, 2005). “The benefits extend to the workplace. A survey of 400 female corporate executives found 94% played a sport and that 61% say that has contributed to their career success (EY Women Athletes Business Network/espnW, 2014).” I think this positive emotional effect seems like a good reason to keep youth sports, especially when there are so many bad things going on in the world. This is one more reason why school sports should stay around for years to

Each year in the United States, more than 36 million school-aged children participate in an “organized sport” (“Youth Sports Statistics”). Especially over the past few years, many studies have proved or disproved the idea that sports are beneficial for young kids. Those studies have found that youth sports have both positive and negative effects on young children, and research shows parents and coaches have the greatest effect on a child’s experience.

“See you a practice!” is a phrase that most people will say to their friends throughout childhood. Thirty-six million children in the United States play a sport. That is over half the children in the United States. However, even with that statistic, some children are still inside all day watching television or playing video games. Many parents do not enroll their children in a sport because they believe it will result in injury, or the child is going to feel left out. Some even believe that their child will be looked down upon if they are not as good as everyone else. They believe that if the child has more time on schoolwork it will raise their grades. But most children love to play outside and learn new sports. It is a part of a child’s nature to run around and have fun. Only some parents realize that children who play a sport can have more discipline than those who don’t. Sports can also give children experience working with others as a team as well as confidence in themselves. Children and teens who play sports are more likely to have higher confidence, be more disciplined, and work better with others.

More than 7,000,000 high school students participate in sports in the US alone, so we must take in consideration if they are good for students in the first place or if they could be damaging them academically, physically, or mentally. Youth sports are greatly competitive and are greatly prioritized in today’s world by students, parents, and society in general. However, some would like to argue that they can be more damaging than beneficial. Both sides have valid points when discussing it, the con side often bringing up the amount of physical damage young athletes endure and it’s long term consequences. The flip side prefers to highlight the social aspects of sports and how it helps students. Youth sports are harmful because they put great pressure on athletes, lessen the impact and funding of artistic and scholarly pursuits, and can severely injure students.

In the 1997 film version of The Odyssey the director made several changes from the book, including characterization, settings, the order of events, and some events are removed or shortened. These changes may have helped the movie move along faster, however the changes were not effective in accurately portraying The Odyssey and giving the viewer a deep understanding of the characters and their experiences. The way that Odysseus's crew is killed is changed in the film, the meeting with the Phaiakians is cut short, as well as the meeting with Menelaos. Due to these events being cut short or changed, the viewers did not get a good understanding of the characters that appear in these events, and what their purpose is in helping the heroes of the

One thing that is a positive outcome in sports is the overflowing happiness people get when they participate in competitive sports. One example is that “children who were involved in sports were more assertive, had greater confidence in their skills and physical appearance, and reported more positive feelings than those who didn’t participate. (Merkal, Donna, Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes, 201, May 31).” If children hold an extreme love for the sport they play, most children use that sport as an escape. Playing sports blows off steam and helps people relax. “Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research ,Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity, 1998).” Playing sports can help bring families or other kids together to build strong bonds. “It appears that US children are healthy and happy as they engage in this traditional pastime, and families report higher levels of satisfaction if their children participate. (Macdonald, Brian, Kids in Sports, Part 5: Can sports help shy kids to make friends?, 2009).” A pat on the back from a parental figure is enough to keep kids going and doing their best. Because sports make children happier, they are more prone to keep playing which all in all makes children happier and it teaches kids to do what makes them happy. With suicide being the second biggest fatality for adolescents doing what makes them happy can be a life or death situation.

Youth sports are good for younger people because it can help them grow older to be active in stay in shape as older people. ”Youth sports are popular, in part, because they benefit young people in many ways.

Sports may not be all that good for children. Some people might say that sports can cause injury, children won’t get a chance to play if they are not very good, or children may be made fun of for lacking skill in that particular sport. I believe that participating in sports has a much more positive impact on children. Sports can help children’s health approve, help them develop new friends, and can help improve the children’s self confidence.