The Case Study Against High School Sports By Amanda Riley

Never in my life had I been an outgoing person, or some type of extrovert. At the age of seven I took up playing school sports. Why? Who really knows. But ever since then I've been participating in school sports and I've been grateful for them ever since. In the article "The Case Study Against High-School Sports" author Amanda Riley delves into the idea that school sports may have a negative effect on the students. Although evidence is provided, as someone who has first handedly experienced the benefits and positive outcomes school sports has given me, I can't help but stand beside them. Through gaining leadership and dedication skills, as well as meeting new people and finding a hero within a coach, school sports has equipped me with valuable

Without having the ability to play soccer throughout my years in high school, I can’t imagine how I could truly learn these valuable lessons. By being thrown into a situation where it is essential for you to work as a team in a tough environment as well as learning the importance of dedication in a different field of action, one is able to gain something one couldn’t if they were solely forced to learn in a classroom. Sure, kids can be taught dedication through classes, because I know I have, but the maturity and participation is different. Aside from my experience I know students at my school gain from these school sanctioned sports as well. Sometimes by motivating students to keep up their grades and attendance through sports, it encourages students to become the bigger person, dedicating themselves to something they love. In the article, it states something similar to what I’ve seen. “I’ve seen truancy issues completely turned around once students begin playing sports. When students have a sense of belonging, when they feel, tied to the school, they feel more part of the process.” Which is something I completely agree with, that when students are able to exist within these two environments, provides them with more appreciation for the

The article suggests that “93 percent of of South Korean students graduate high school compared with just 77 percent of American students(p. 13)” and as an American one can’t help but deem this idea foolish. Yes, Asian countries most often have higher achievement statistics, but we can’t expect the American education system to be completely turned around due to there being no school sports. Similar to any country other than that of our own, the way of living is completely different. We can’t give sole credit to Asian countries because they don’t have sports, it’s simply more than that, the way the kids are raised sense they’re born, as well as just their overall surroundings. Therefore that argument can’t be taken as a very serious and thoughtful