Participation of children in sports is a wide and diverse topic in itself. Sports are essential for kids right from an early age since they not only play an imperative and important role in the physical development of the kids, but mental development too. A culture of sports among kids of elementary age group is not only considered a healthy trend but if often connected to the prowess and power of the nation since healthy childhood, considered the by product of sports, contributes to building of a nation. But over the years, with extensive study and research, it has been proved that participation in sports especially at an early age isn’t as good and sunny as is often painted and shown. This kind of participation has its own set of issues and problems and they have gained attention and prominence off late. The topic has indeed become very controversial and debatable and has two lobbies voicing their arguments and concerns for flip sides. While one side claims that children participation is sports should be promoted and encouraged right from an early age, while the other side argues against it.
A complete and holistic view and analysis of the topic is indeed of paramount importance before making any substantial conclusions. Both the sides need to be probed for their merits to brand participation of children in sports at an early age good or bad. There are different pros and cons or benefits or disadvantages associated to the central idea of children participation in sports. Some of the most influential and important advantages that participation in sports provides is as listed below:
Physical Development: This is incontrovertibly the most talked about and discussed points when it comes to the advantages that the participation of kids offers in sports. Different sports act as catalysts for proper growth of muscles and tendons for young kids or children. Moreover, sports keep kids fit and healthy, thus preventing and fighting the endemic problem of child obesity. Children who are physically active grow up to be healthy adults and develop a better appreciation of a healthy body (Bose 2010). Thus the physical development of kids quite rightly forms the backbone of arguments in the favor of participation of young kids in sports.
Psychological Development: Not only do sports promote physical development of kids, but they also ensure their psychological well-being. It has been proved through a set of researches and studies that participation in sports helps kids in fighting anxiety and depression and also equips and empowers them to handle tough situations better, which prepares them better for their future adult life. It is a proven fact that when people exercise or play sports, the brain releases chemicals that improve their moods and this applies to kids too (Kaminsky 2011). The sportsmanship spirit and self-discipline that participation in sports encourages is also a very important factor that helps and assists in proper psychological development of kids.
Social Skills Development: Participation in sports helps kids/ children master various social skills at an early age. They interact with other kids, open up and make friends during the course of their participation, which according to experts is something, very important and valuable. Kids become more tolerant towards diversity and respect others for their similarities and differences. Sports promote a sense of learning and unity that proves beneficial in ensuring that kids grow up into responsible adults and citizens.
Boosts Self Confidence: Sports are a great way of enhancing and boosting self-confidence and especially for young kids, who are still in the initial phase of their learning lives. Studies have shown that children who take part in sport have more self-belief and feel better about themselves compared with those who don’t do sports (Austin 2012). This ensures that kids believe in their abilities and talents and hence use them appropriately to achieve success in both personal and professional lives in future. Participation in sports engraves self-confidence in the psyche of the kids at a young and early age, thus ensuring that they live a better and confident life.
Team Player: This point though applies to team sports is still as important as any other point in favor of the participation of kids in sports. Participation in sports teaches the importance and vale that teamwork holds. Team sports like basketball, soccer, cricket etc. teach kids to coordinate and work as a team. It teaches them to listen to other’s viewpoints and value them. It teaches them an important lesson of putting self before team, a trait probably sports in early age are capable of teaching. Knowing how to successfully work with others while trying to achieve goal is a skill that goes beyond the playing field (Sherwood 2011).
Sportsmanship: Sportsmanship is perhaps the most valuable trait that kids can acquire from their participation in sports. Kids are able to overcome their self-centered attitudes due to participation in sports and are able to connect themselves to benefits of others too. This trait is important in itself since good sportsmanship provides guidelines that can be generalized to classroom and lifelong achievement (Rimm 2012).
The advantages often come bundled with their set of disadvantages and participation of children in sports is no exception. Most significant of these disadvantages are:
Physical Injuries: Physical Injuries due to physical sports are a common phenomenon but physical injuries in case of small and young children are a much more serious and grave matter. Children can face acute/ temporary injuries or permanent injuries. Four million children seek emergency-room treatment for sports injuries every year; another 8 million are treated for such injuries by family physicians (aboutourkids 2012). These injuries could result in permanent disabilities, which in turn hamper their normal life. The bodies of children act in a different manner compared to adults’ and without proper monitoring this could lead to undue stress causing illness or death in extreme cases (Blume & Zembar 2007).
Bullying: It has often been regarded as one of the most dangerous phenomenon of 21st century and has claimed many innocent lives. Bullying in sports is a very normal and regular thing. Young kids who are not able to perform well are bullied and teased by other kids thus forcing them into depression, which proves a hindrance in the normal growth of the children.
Drug Abuse: Drug abuse in sports to enhance and improve performance has become much more prevalent over the years. The process of drug abuse in sports has percolated to the lowest level possible i.e. young kids and children. It has come to light that drug abuse is carried out by young children to improve their performance, at times due to ignorance but mostly in the bid to prove themselves superior over their peers. This culture has indeed gained significant government attention over the years. Drug abuse has serious implications in case of elementary age kids and could lead to problems like loss of sight, disability and death.
Physical Abuse: Many kids, young and innocent, face physical abuse and harassment at the hands of their coaches or trainers and their peers. This not only has adverse effects on the physical health of the kids but their mental health too. They tend to develop stress and depression and refrain from socializing and it becomes a serious issue in the future.
Poor academic performance: This is perhaps the most common issue with children who participate in sports. The kids who are into sports tend to ignore their studies and devote more time towards playing. It has been proved that sports and studies are both imperative for overall and all-round development of kids. Thus, ignoring studies for sports often leaves kids with a dark and shady future (Art 2010).
Overly Competitive Spirit: This is one more important downside of the participation of young children in sports. At times due to excessive competition, young children start taking sports very seriously and winning becomes their sole aim of participation. This fills them with aggression that is not only bad for their growth but also bad for their futures. The responsibility lies with teachers and parents to teach kids that it is participation that matters, not winning.
Thus it can be safely concluded that though kids participation in sports is important and should be encouraged, it should also be properly monitored by all the responsible elements in the children’s life. I am of the opinion that young children should be educated and taught about the perils of participation in sports and about the ways to escape and overcome them. They should be taught to take their participation in the right spirit. Children are the most valuable assets to a country since they decide its future and hence they should be trained, brought up and educated with utmost care and same applies to their participation in sports too.
Works Cited
Aboutourkids. ” Sports and kids: Pathway to healthy development or to unhealthy competition?”
NYU Child Study Center. 11 May 2013. Web. 2012
Arts. ” Sports Pros and Cons”
Key Frame 5 Studios. 11 May 2013. Web. 2010
< http://www.keyframe5.com/sports-pros-and-cons/>
Austin, Louisa. ” Encourage Your Kids To Get Active”
SheKnows. 11 May 2013. Web. 2012
< http://www.sheknows.co.uk/parenting/articles/955343/5-reasons-your-kids-should-take-up-sports>
Bose, Debopriya. ” Pros and Cons of Children in Sports”
eHow. 11 May 2013. Web. 2010
< http://www.ehow.com/list_7172253_pros-cons-children-sports.html>
Blume, L.B. and Zembar, M.J. ” Sports Participation”
Education.com. 11 May 2013. Web. 2007
< http://www.education.com/reference/article/sports-participation/>
Kaminsky, Amy. ” Pros and Cons of Children in Sports”
Live Strong. 11 May 2013. Web. 2011
< http://www.livestrong.com/article/197831-pros-cons-of-children-in-sports/>
Rimm, Sylvia. ” How Sports Can Help Our Children Achieve”
Slyviarimm. 11 May 2013. Web. 2012
< http://www.sylviarimm.com/article_sportsachieve.html>
Sherwood, Chris. ” The advantages of Children Participation in Sports”
Live Strong. 11 May 2013. Web. 2011
< http://www.livestrong.com/article/282792-the-advantages-of-children-participating-in-sports/>
