Five main issues with youth sports in the US are harming our children. They include a lack of money, repetitive stress injuries, helicopter parents, a decline in high school sports involvement, and a large percentage of people who live in poverty.
There has been a documented drop in high school sports participation nationally for the first time in over three decades. The National Federation of State High School Associations recently polled all 51 states for research, and the results revealed a decline in total football and basketball participation over the previous year.
Girls' basketball and football were two sports that saw the most significant changes in participation during the previous two years. Football has been down for a while, but basketball had the most significant decline in overall participation.
Despite the decline, there were still a few noteworthy sports participation accomplishments. For instance, girls' cross country experienced a 45 percent rise in participation over the previous year.
In the last year, baseball and softball reached record lows in their respective sports. The number of boys and girls participating in outdoor track dropped significantly from the previous year.
The most significant single factor in the total fall was football. With a score of only 1,006,013, boys' 11-man football saw the lowest participation level in the previous 14 years.
Boys' soccer and unified bowling both had a slight increase in attendance. This was probably because these activities are played in the cold and require much collaboration.
Helicopter parents often ruin children's sporting experiences. Despite having the best intentions, they often do more damage than good. They may be to blame for some of the millennial generation's most frequent concerns.
When college administrators started using the term "helicopter parent" to indicate a growing trend of parental participation in the 2000s, the phrase acquired attention. Although the idea is familiar, several research and publications have been written to highlight this parenting style's drawbacks.
In the context of sports, the gimmick is that helicopter parents drive their children to events they are unable to attend. This may result in more pressure for a child to choose one sport over another, more accidents, and an increased chance of burnout before the child ever steps onto the field.
At schools, a similar occurrence takes place. Parents that micromanage or hover over their kids' lives will spend a lot of money and shoulder many burdens. They take an active role in their child's relationships, health, and academic endeavors. Stress, a lack of confidence in other people, and a decline in problem-solving skills may all result from this parenting style.
Youth athletes are increasingly concerned about overuse injuries. Poor technique, inadequate equipment assistance, and insufficient rest are only a few of the causes of these injuries. These wounds may be both painful and difficult to heal.
There are several methods for avoiding overuse injuries. Young athletes should generally try various sports, practice often, and don the proper safety gear. They should see a doctor or an orthopedic expert if they do sustain an injury. Through physical therapy, medication, or surgery, the injured athlete may be able to make a full recovery.
Along with prevention, understanding how to manage overuse injuries is crucial. Exercise, relaxation, and ice are typical therapies.
Athletes must inform their coaches and medical personnel of any minor aches and pains. Many athletes disregard these early signs of injury, which might result in later, more severe injuries.
Overuse injuries may be avoided, even though they are becoming more common among young athletes. Repetitive stress on bones and tendons causes overuse injuries.
The Project Play study by the Aspen Institute highlights the expense of participating in sports. It was discovered that the typical family of four spent $700 on sports annually, with some families spending as much as $35,000.
The poll found that children from lower-income households had far stricter difficulty financing youth sports. There might be several causes for this. One is that children in low-income areas need more access to athletic facilities and outdoor activities. Additionally, parents with limited time are more likely to come from lower-income households. They are more likely to be required to work, be responsible for children, and have other responsibilities.
Over the last several years, the expense of a kid participating in sports has increased, widening the gap between wealthy and low-income households. Major League Baseball, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Nike vowed to increase sports accessibility for kids from low-income families in response.
Even while these donations are appreciated, the truth is that these programs are often less costly than those offered by local communities. Additionally, it is more common for kids from less wealthy households not to have access to physical education.