Less sports and more play for kids

Great Debates
21

I see that, in response to well-measured discussion of the difficulties inherent in the original post, the ‘debate’ has morphed considerably. Now, we are asked to feel sorry for those who, typically during physical education classes in school, were or are forced into participating in sports they don’t wish to, causing trauma of various sorts. This is a far cry from the original post’s assertion that there was something wrong with the tendency to have young kids involved in organized league sports.

I won’t go into the ideas behind school P.E. classes, other than to note that the idea that a well-rounded American is a person who plays sport is quite old, and unlikely to be changed anytime soon. Suffice it to say that there is substantial difference between having someone play softball in jr. high gym class when they hate the game and having a 6 or 7 year-old playing soccer or baseball when they like the game, or at least like the social activity involved.

As for the tendency of athletic males to put down those less gifted athletically, that has undoubtedly been happening since the dawn of man. It certainly was happening in the late 60’s when I was in school; my dad remembers it from the late 30’s and my grandfather remembered it from the early 1910’s. I doubt it will ever change. But that isn’t the same as participating in league soccer or T-ball, either, and we know it. :slight_smile:

22

Dinsdale –

Having participated in organized sports as a kid for 8 years, I’ll speak from experience here.

In your first point, you mention that kids are not forced to reach agreement on what to do to entertain themselves, nor are they forced to resolve their own differences. I’m not sure I understand this, so I’ll be addressing this point from my own interpretation of it. I think you’re saying that if a group of 7 kids wanted to play baseball, they would not be able to because they’d be short 2 people. But why couldn’t they still play? Are you saying that kids don’t have the ability to improvise? The notion of playing without, say, a shortstop and an outfielder, would not even cross their mind? I doubt this. People, including kids, improvise all the time.

Next, you mention parental involvement. I don’t know what you expect parents to do. It sound as though you would like them to actually participate in their kid’s sport themselves. What is wrong with parental involvement being limited to chauffering and motivation? I mean, what more do you want them do? Gymnastics, dance, and martial arts still only involve chauffering and motivation.

Third, you mention an undue importance on winning. Again, what is wrong with this? Kids learning about competition at an early age better prepares them for their adult lives. Because, as adults, competition is going to become part of their lives. Competition for admittance into college, competition for jobs, competition in dating, etc. The notion of rewarding kids, even for doing a halfass job, is ludicrous.

Then you say that sports limits kids to only one sport. What makes you say this? You make it sound as if kids cannot think for themselves. They are not participating in that sport from the time they wake up to the time they go to sleep. I still had time to play video games, board games, bicycling, and skateboarding. I did not have a desire to play little league baseball 24/7.

Now, sports schedules dictating family plans. The only thing I have to say to this is that kids’ activities are always going to dictate family plans. Whether it be sports, school, or piano practice. But as a previous post pointed out, sports schedules are handed out well in advance prior to the actual game. So, parents can make their plans accordingly.

Your last point. How is gymnastics, dance, and martial arts different from organized sports? I know they are more individually oriented as opposed to team oriented, but they still create all the problems that you brought up about parental involvement and the dictation of family plans. To sum it up, I’ll just reiterate what MGibson said. Kids, for the most part, play sports because they want to play. Because it’s fun to them. Not because they were told to do so.

23

I have a bone to pick with the people who decided everybody needs to take PE
For the first 10 years of school career, it was MISERABLE. I hated it, but I didn’t complain. I buckled down and prepared to be laughed at, mocked, etc etc. Fun experience.
But now, as I enter my Senior year, I realize that I have a different problem. I need ten credits of PE to graduate (Because I moved, and the schools are based on different credit structure. Oddly, PE was the only class affected in a negative way due to that.) Because of a schedule conflicts, I have to drop Calculas. Yes, I have to drop a high math class (An AP class no less) to take a class that I don’t need, and I hate. I know PE is going to help me get into college!

24

I’m going on record in support of organized team sports for children.

I also favor traveling teams.

Granted, they aren’t for everybody…and that’s fine. If the committment and the lifestyle isn’t good for your child or your family then simply just say no. The last time I checked, these activities were voluntary. Don’t want to tie up your social calendar or your vacation schedule with games and practices?..then don’t.

These structured leagues and teams are there for the kids and their families that don’t have a problem with the committment and actually ENJOY the experience.

25 
It wasn't originated with the Americans. The Greeks believed that the ideal male was both physically and mentally sound. I would imagine someone was like that before the Greeks though.

Marc