Youth Competitive Sports Beneficial to Children
STACEY WORKMAN Youth Competitive Sports: Beneficial to Children? ... Are parents placing their children on a basketball court or football field for the enjoyment and benefit of the child, or because they might have missed out on something when they were younger? Playing competitive sports at an early age can be demanding, socially and emotionally stressful, and cause long-term physical problems. Several parents will even have children held back in the same grade for a year to give them a size advantage for sports as they go through school. ... High standards should not be placed on children in sports, giving them unrealistic hopes of playing for college or professional teams. Only a small number of children will ever play professional sports (McEwin and Dickinson AC).