Developing character is a very important thing for a young person; youth who managed to develop positive skills and behaviors early in life can carry those behaviors through to the rest of their lives. Some of those important aspects of character include respect, honesty, courage, civility, responsibility, and more (Doty, p. 3). Team building and cooperation are other beneficial aspects of character that should be instilled in children at a young age. Participation in sports and sports-related activities has been shown to have a tremendously positive effect on the character of those who participate. Not only are there significant physical, mental and social skills to be gained from the practice of sports, but immense character can be gained from them.
Sports have long been established as a means to assemble young people in teams and teach them how to work together. Youth sports in particular are a very influential force on the identity of those who participate; team sports have been shown to have a greater capacity for teaching ethical values and character than individual sports (Doty, 2006). Nearly 40 million children of both sexes participate in organized sports; the majority of these are based outside of a school scenario (Fullinwider, 2006). According to research, some of the values and experiences that can be conveyed to children and athletes through the art of sport include: cooperating with teammates, fair play, team loyalty, self-discipline and control, respect for the rules, integrity, a healthy sense of competition, leadership skills, empathy, and more (Fullinwider, 2006). Some of these aspects are intrinsic to the nature of learning how to play a sport; others are more subtle. They often require the assistance or guidance of a coach or other leader, who can steer the player or athlete in the right direction. This can potentially prevent athletes from acquiring negative lessons from their experiences.
There are those who question the ability for sports to build character. While few dispute the physical benefits of sports and fitness in general, some argue that character does not automatically come as a result of playing sports. Instead, morality must be instructed and taught directly, instead of picked up accidentally or as a byproduct of sports participation (Hedstrom & Gould, 2004). However, with the help of appropriate, direct coaching and physical education that emphasizes the concepts of fair play and sportsmanship, moral development can indeed be shown to children through sports. When given the proper context, sports is an essential tool for giving concrete demonstrations of these moral concepts to the youth playing them.
In fact, coaching is a very essential component in delivering character through sports; as a coach, an emphasis must be made on "positive coaching" to achieve the desired net benefit. While coaching education is sometimes sorely lacking in the school system, there is enormous potential for positive character development to come from school-based and organized sports (Hedstrom & Gould, 2004). What's more, the integration of physical activity with positive coaching and life development is clear, as "an individual's psychological processes and structures will grow" due to physical activity (Doty, p. 5).
Another concern for some is that, for many, sports does not build positive character. Studies have shown that team sport athletes can often score lower on character tests than others (Doty, 2006). This has led to an ethical crisis in the world of sports, as there are many institutions that have brought negative aspects the concept of sports. Ideas of lack of empathy for others, competition within one's team, and undue focus on self (to the point of arrogance) are all aspects of one's character that can come through inadequate coaching. The ability for a young person to build successfully positive character must come through positive coaching. Luckily, studies have shown many positive reasons for entering into sports participation; many children have cited "to have fun" and "to play as part of a team" among the top five reasons they join a sports team - "to win" is the 8th most common reason (Hedstrom & Gould, 2004).
Not only are the benefits of cooperation shown, the benefits of competition are quite evident in the world of sports. Physical skills are an important part of character, as well as an appreciation of fitness; not only will athletes be motivated to get in shape and exercise on a regular basis, they will learn to have these skills and habits even after their time on the team. A sense of belonging can be cultivated by spending an extended amount of time with a team, interacting socially with others and learning how to participate to achieve the greater goal of the group. Peer interactions and inter-team competition can be learned in a healthy way through sports. Also, sports skills can be gained in order to transfer them to leisure activities, permitting them to have a greater level of involvement in whatever they set out to do (Hedstrom & Gould, 2004).
The complicated issues that arise from sports participation and its use in character building come from individual and group-related outlooks to the sport itself. While there are positive benefits to, for example, learning how to play fair - allowing others to play while you sit on the bench - you may feel as though you are a better player. This breeds resentment and bitterness, and often can explode in arguments or conflict with other players. Instead of putting the team's needs ahead of your own, you wish to personally exert your belief that you should be playing. The tentative push and pull between aggression and submission in a team setting is something that a young person can have trouble navigating in a sports setting, especially without the benefit of positive, even-handed coaching (Fullinwider, 2006).
In short, the participation of youth in sports has the ability to impart tremendous positive moral and character benefits upon them. Sports are able to build character; however, for some they do not. This is not the fault of an intrinsically flawed system, but the result of mismanagement of the players by coaches and other players. Instead of making sure that the players learn something, there are coaches and leaders who can get carried away with the competition of winning, choosing to blame it on others or get into conflicts if things do not go their way. This is the dark side of sports participation and its effect on character; without the aspects of self-denial, humility in victory, or grace in defeat, sports athletes do not build positive character traits to bring into the other parts of their lives (Austin, 2010).
With all of this in mind, it must be clear that sports, as a concept, can have a positive net effect on the character of young people. While the sport itself does not automatically deliver life lessons and character building, it cannot be ignored as a soundstage by which to deliver these messages. This can be done through positive coaching and structured team-building scenarios. Sports participation permits the encouragement of social skills, physical fitness and teamwork, all of which are helpful things to find in a well-rounded, stable individual. Participating in sports has been known to help athletes grow and mature, become physically active, and increase their sense of self-worth. They also become socially competent, and are given a fuller, more direct sense of morality and virtue (Hedstrom & Gould, 2004). Given these tremendous benefits, the use of sports participation as a character-building option cannot be ignored.
What, then, can be done to increase the character-building capacity of sports? First, positive coaching must be absolutely emphasized as a persistent practice. Coaches must accept their role as leaders and role models, providing positive behavior models to their players. This would help tremendously in imparting knowledge, wisdom and character upon the players. Sports provides a wonderful template for teaching sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play, all essential components of character; it is the job of coaches and the supporting players to take these opportunities and build upon them. In this way, sports can build character in a more direct, effective way.
References
Austin, M. (2010). Do sports really build character? Psychology Today. Retrieved December 10,
2011 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ethics-everyone/201006/do-sports-
really-build-character.
Doty, J. (2006). Sports Build Character?! Journal of College & Character. 7(3), 1-9.
Fullinwider, R.K. (2006). Sports, Youth and Character: A Critical Survey. CIRCLE 44: 3-31.
Hedstrom, R., & Gould, D. (2004). Research in Youth Sports: critical issues status. Institute for
the Study of Youth Sports.
