Youth sports are becoming a common feature of young families. With a growing push for adolescents to participate in physical activity daily, involvement in an organized sport seems to be the easiest way to ensure this goal is met. It has become the norm, as organizations are plentiful in almost all neighborhoods. Children who seem to have potential to be superior athletes often practice for numerous hours weekly. With the rising cost of college tuition, the ability to receive an athletic scholarship is now a popular and sometimes necessary alternative. Parents and guardians seem to be willing to do nearly anything for their child to receive the best athletic training, including training at the same level as adults. With a rise in the number …show more content…
[2] Athletics are a staple in America; many of the country’s biggest social interactions revolve around sports. For example, the NFL Super Bowl is one of the biggest and most anticipated events held in the United States each year. College athletics are normally an easy discussion topic that strangers can bond over, so much so that the NCAA has developed playoff brackets that allow national competition during March Madness. While society unites through sports, one must consider how these admired individuals became athletes. In 1988, the American College of Sports Medicine recommended children should be active in physical activity for about thirty minutes each day (Carter 881). This, in turn, led to nation-wide involvement in youth sports. Whether playing pick up games of basketball, kicking an old ball in the backyard, or playing on an organized sports team, youth athletics has always been present in society. Originally, participation was simply for the enjoyment, to meet the recommended amount of daily activity, and to make friends. …show more content…
One such researcher is Jessica L. Fraser-Thomas from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. She believes youth athletics provides the nurturing environment necessary for positive youth development. Competitive youth athletic programs offer a positive alternative, which decreases the chances of children falling prey to detrimental influences such as violence, and other criminal activities. On a more personal level, youth athletic training presents multiple physical, social, and intellectual benefits. Reducing the probability of childhood obesity, weight control, and cardiovascular health are amongst the most argued for physical benefits of youth athletics (23). Psychologically, youth involved in sports tend to live happier lives than those who are uninvolved. Youth athletes have higher self-esteem and lower stress levels. The social benefits are obvious as youth interact with a multitude of different individuals ranging from coaches to other athletes, parents, and officials. Fraser-Thomas notes that the social benefits range from discipline, leadership skills and cooperation to responsibility, self-control, and empathy (24). Lastly, a positive relationship between participation in youth sports and academic performance has been observed possibly due to enhanced cognitive development due to athletics