Are Organized Sports Good For Children?

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Most schools have different kinds of sports activities for children to participate in, be it football, archery, basketball, swimming, and so on. Some children are athletic and enjoy the sports, while others avoid them at all cost. Certain sports are mandatory, such as swimming, which is a part of gym instruction.

Some parents are sports enthusiasts and think organized sports are a great idea, while others think the academic aspect of school should take priority over anything else. Parents sometimes put a lot of stress on their children when it comes to sports activities. The child is often urged to participate whether or not he or she wants to. This does not promote a healthy attitude towards play, exercise and socializing for the child. In fact, a child may turn completely away from the activities that have been forced upon them by rebelling in very harmful ways.

Organized sports benefit a child because they learn what it means to function as a team, and be a team player. Learning how to accept winning and losing graciously is part of growing up. Leadership qualities are developed, as well. Good sportsmanship is an important lesson to learn. But, as a parent it is important to learn and grow with your child when choosing the best sport for them to be involved. A child who is forced into a sport that he or she hates will sometimes resort to intentionally failing in academics simply to avoid being forced to play.

Academic studies will carry a student well into the future, while participating in a sports activity will build character and leadership qualities needed for a career goal. Any student should be allowed to choose what, if any, sport they want to participate in. Sports activities have good and bad qualities. Yes, they build character, but there are times when one who is forced to be a player and is not all that good at it, is put in a position of having to defend himself against those who choose to bully or harass him. What does that teach the students?

Learning about fairness is another plus for the idea of organized sports. And the fact that one doesn't always come out a winner. Its all about how the game is played, and not the results. Some students are just not comfortable with playing any sports, and prefer to concentrate on their studies, and there is nothing wrong with that mode of thinking. Character is built in many ways, and it's how one chooses to do it that counts.

If someone is pushed into a sport activity, and fails, it leaves a lasting impression on them. Failure, and not living up to the expectations of someone else, can do more harm than good. If a student wants to participate and learns that he really isn't very good at it, choosing to stop playing is a choice that should be theirs, and only theirs. Parents and schools should not push or insist that their child be active in any sport that doesn't make them comfortable.