Competitive Sports
Improved self-esteem is another benefit of competitive youth sports. When a child wins a game with his team, he feels accomplished and recognized. Even when he doesn't win, he can learn a valuable lesson: that you can't win every time. Losing with his team can also increase self-esteem, as he learns to hold his head high and feel proud for trying his best.
Participating in sports gives athletes the ability to develop tight and lasting friendships with others who have common interests. This is a valuable experience that usually leaves them with lasting life long memories.
When one takes a good look at the wide range of benefits available to those who participate competitively in sports, one cannot help but see how comprehensive they could be in the development of a well-rounded individual. The application of these attributes to one's life outside of sports is something few can argue with. At least that would seem to be the case, right?
Yet, this is not necessarily the perception of everyone, nor does what we see emphasized in the media support this view. Self-centered attitudes, promiscuous behavior, poor character choices, winning at all costs attitudes, and even illegal activities, centering on athletes, seem to dominate headlines.
So then, why is that the case? Is all that I have listed just a fantasy, something we truly wish to be true but isn't, or is there something else that has superseded the positive benefits competitive athletes "should" be getting? All important questions that will need to be addressed in order to put competitive sports participation back on a positive track.
Millions of American children and teenagers are overweight. This obesity epidemic has make the early onset of health problems such as diabetes more common. Participating in competitive youth sports burns calories and helps to prevent obesity. Additionally, many children who are active in sports are motivated to eat healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables
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Participating in sports gives athletes the ability to develop tight and lasting friendships with others who have common interests. This is a valuable experience that usually leaves them with lasting life long memories.
When one takes a good look at the wide range of benefits available to those who participate competitively in sports, one cannot help but see how comprehensive they could be in the development of a well-rounded individual. The application of these attributes to one's life outside of sports is something few can argue with. At least that would seem to be the case, right?
Yet, this is not necessarily the perception of everyone, nor does what we see emphasized in the media support this view. Self-centered attitudes, promiscuous behavior, poor character choices, winning at all costs attitudes, and even illegal activities, centering on athletes, seem to dominate headlines.
So then, why is that the case? Is all that I have listed just a fantasy, something we truly wish to be true but isn't, or is there something else that has superseded the positive benefits competitive athletes "should" be getting? All important questions that will need to be addressed in order to put competitive sports participation back on a positive track.
Millions of American children and teenagers are overweight. This obesity epidemic has make the early onset of health problems such as diabetes more common. Participating in competitive youth sports burns calories and helps to prevent obesity. Additionally, many children who are active in sports are motivated to eat healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables
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