...Sports, Youth and Character: A Critical Survey Robert K. Fullinwider* Institute for Philosophy & Public Policy University of Maryland * rkf@umd.edu CIRCLE WORKING PAPER 44 FEBRUARY 2006 CIRCLE Working Paper 44: February 2006 Sports, Youth and Character: A Critical Survey TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION....................................... 3 a. methodological limitations..................... 4 b. conceptual and theoretical infelicities...... 5 II. THE LESSONS OF SPORT......................... 5 III. BASICS................................................ 6 a. too much too early?.............................. 8 b. competition’s role understood ............... 11 c. competition, participation, and fun......... 12 d. not enough?........................................ 14 IV. WHAT CAN WE CONCLUDE?.................... 15 V. THE MICROWORLD OF PARTICIPATION...... 17 VI. APPENDIX A......................................... 19 a. Shields and Bredemeier...................... 19 a.1. moral maturity: what are psychologists looking for?............ 22 a.2. game thinking............................. 24 a.3. moral confusion........................... 25 b. Stoll, Lumpkin, Beller, and Hahm.............. 27 It has been recognized for centuries that sport can contribute to education values that make for the development of character and right social relations . . . . [Within this contribution] there are many intertwined and interwoven threads of influences...
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...violence. It appears in video games, films, and TV programs and many parents in the hope of removing their children from some of this violence are encouraging and sometimes pushing their children into participating in organized sports. The problem is this same violence in creeping its way into baseball, football, soccer, basketball, and hockey. The violence is shown by the parents’ and coaches’ poor conduct and rage. This violent behavior on the part of parents and coaches must be curbed and we must bring back the learning of the rules and skills of the sport and a sense of good sportsmanship and values. Some parents are losing sight of why these children are playing and that to the children is what they are doing “playing”. Many parents come to their child’s practice or game with their own agenda of win, win, win at all costs. The team winning, the points scored, who is the big scorer are the issues that have replaced fun and sportsmanship on the eyes of the parents. These unreasonable expectations of winning, not messing up, being the star player, and making mom and/or dad proud are everything to the kids. These parents expect perfection from their children, coaches and referees. It no longer is for the kids. Maybe Mom and Dad were promising athletes in their youth and for one reason or another were robbed of their hopes and are living their dreams through their children. The major problem seems to be that these parents are not considering what the children want. Kids want things like...
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...Benefits of Youth Sports“Sports do not build character. They reveal it,” said John Wooden, legendary UCLA basketball coach. Playing sports not only provides physical activity, but also other positive benefits. This is especially true for children. A well-structured and organized youth program will provide benefits and positive experiences for young athletes. While children are having fun participating in sports they are also building character, learning to work as a team, and playing fairly. Most people think the only benefits of sports are physical. Sports are more than just developing hand-eye coordination and burning calories, youth sports provide many developmental benefits, physical benefits, and psychological benefits. In addition to improved physical health, sports play a positive role in the development of youth. Studies show that the five “Cs”—competence, confidence, connections, character, and caring—develop positively through the participation in sports at a young age (Luxbacher 2). Each one of the five “Cs” are important components of youth development. The skills that are learned through playing sports, such as the discipline of training, learning teamwork and following the leadership of coaches provide athletes with lifelong skills. Important lifelong skills also include goal setting, time management, the value of planning ahead, honesty, respect, and an appreciation for diversity (Wood 3). At a young age, sports help teach youth how to handle adversity by showing...
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...Topic: Organized sports positive and negative effects on today’s youth. A. A-1. Introduction Hi my name is Lisa Hadden. Are you struggling with signing that permission slip so your child can play an organized sport? Do you wonder if you can balance your budget to include the high cost of playing as well as equipment needed? Do you have the time to commit to being at practices and games? Is it worth it for your child in the long run? A-1a. Thesis Statement Research continues to suggest that being a part of organized youth sports can have both positive and negative effects on today’s children as well as their families; character building, self-confidence, discipline and healthy lifestyle habits are all positive effects while the negative effects include injuries, performance stress, peer pressure and large time and money commitments. A-1b. Main Point Preview Involvement of children in youth sports can have both merits and demerits. Participation in sporting activities provides children with healthy lifestyle habits, builds character, personal discipline, and self-confidence. The major demerits are physical stress developing in injuries, psychological performance stress, peer pressures, as well as time and monetary requirements. A-2. Main Points 1) Merits of youth organized sports: A) Character Building: Youth who participate in organized sports are often upright in thought and many times assume leadership roles because of the decision making traits...
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...reported that they believe drug testing among student-athletes should continue and that imposing penalties would be fair and appropriate." (NCAA Student-Athlete Substance Use Study: Executive Summary August 2014) Many children believe that sports are harmful and dangerous because of a popular belief. But, many new studies are showing parents the factual side of physical activities and the benefits that come from it. Many children believe that sports are threatening/dangersome because of a popular belief, but many new studies show parents the factual side of physical activities and the benefits that come from it. Studies conducted on sports show that young children who participate in these physical activities are more than likely to have a higher self-esteem. The competitive nature in sports can help the child develop as a person and as an athlete. As well as themselves, children get confidence boosting reinforcement from coaches, parents or other family members, and other athletes. Involvement in team sports has been greatly associated with acceptance by teammates, positive coaching, skill development, and companionship. As stated by prosportpsychsym.wordpress.com,“As long as people feel beneficial to the team, they are developing self-esteem by seeing their personal role in the team as important to the whole cause.” From this quote,...
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...The social effects of team sports A sport, according to dictionary.com, is an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, basketball, football, etc. A team sport is an activity in which a group of individuals on the same team, work together to win. Winning is done by outscoring the opposing team. Team members set goals, strategize, communicate, and solve problems while supporting and trusting each other’s judgment to meet their objectives. Not every team sport is alike, however. Some team sports are practiced between opposing teams, where the players interact directly and simultaneously between them to achieve an objective. The objective usually involves teammates facilitating the movement of a ball or a similar object with the addition of rules to score points. Other types of team sports such as swimming, rowing, sailing, etc. do not involve teammates facilitating the movement of a ball, or a similar object to score points. Team sports has many positive social, emotional, physical, and mental effects that can be used therapeutically to help shape a child’s life, improve an adult’s, and help them to create a better future for themselves. Team sports provides a venue for youths to be themselves, express their feelings, thoughts, and ideas, learn to work well with other individuals, and receive guidance and encouragement from peers and leaders. It...
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...Name Professor Course name December 10, 2014 Benefits to Youth Participation in Sports The majority of people begin to worry about their health in their middle ages. It’s at that time in our lives when people close to us are more likely to come down with a particular disease or a condition such as high blood pressure. Some of these are genetic but some are thought to be the result of a poor lifestyle. Therefore, developing good eating habits and a regular exercise routine as a young adult, can help carry those good habits into adulthood. One of the easiest ways to develop good habits at a young age is to participate in youth sports. Participation in youth sports results in a healthier adult lifestyle as it gets you used to eating healthy and exercising, forms good daily habits and despite some negative risks, has positive psychological and social benefits that you take into adulthood. Throughout youth sports its encouraged to eat right, hydrate and exercise. Some youth even see a personal trainer to assist with strength and flexibility. Some coaches even require that their team participate in specialized training. Therefore, doing these things either on a daily basis or at least a few times per week will result in forming good habits. “A habit is a practice that you engage in on a regular basis” (Clarke; livestrong.com). Developing healthy habits lays the foundation for routine and also has a big impact on emotional fitness. It allows for good mental health and a restful...
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...Beneficial Sport Activities There are numerous benefits that you can obtained as a child or adult through the involvement of sport activities. These benefits are a significant characteristic and representation of our choices, responsibilities, and actions. Every skill you learned while in sports can be used to build positive structure and character. Sport activities involve physical benefits, personal benefits, and social benefits. These featured benefits apply to both sexes and people of all ages. Although an assistant professor of sociology, at Wittenburg University in Ohio, states, “Participating in athletics helps students perform well in academically during high school more than any other extracurricular activity.” According to an article on the America.gov Webitse, she explains, “They benefit developmentally in terms of building self-confidence and self- esteem and the ability to problem-solve; they develop socially in that they build relationships with students and teachers and parents that can act as resources for them in terms of their academics.” Being involved in sports as a young child can help build a foundation for cooperative play, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. It is extremely beneficial to participate with sports in your childhood. The article, “The Amazing Benefits of Sports For Kids,” simply expresses that researches indicate that sports help children develop physical skill, get exercise, make friends, have fun, learn to play as a member of a team...
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...making justified recommendations to the sport of Badminton’s general reputation by using statistics of Australian Children’s participation with references to the individual, interpersonal and institutional levels of Figueroa’s framework. Figueroa’s Framework is a structural foundation developed by Professor Peter Figueroa. His theory focuses on the different factors affecting an individual with regards to participation in health and physical activity such as a person’s race. His framework investigates social factors such as Individual, Interpersonal, Institutional, Structural and Cultural level of influence, of which are all connected in one way or another. The Individual level focuses on the individual’s personal values,...
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...Sports overall targets your child; approach to learn; ability to think, communicate; physical well-being; and social development. The social development aspect of adolescent development targets kids particular abilities to make, build, and sustain relationships with adults and peers. Through sporting activities your children will acknowledge and accept their feelings which will allow them to express their feelings a lot more successfully to you about situation they may go through, but in the process they will be able to grasp and answer the emotions of other kids. As parents you want to be involved in your child sporting activities but not too involved to the point you’re a pushy parent. Expectations should be put on their behavior in a sense of how they behave towards others. That kind of expectation is a good expectation because ultimately you want them to have fun but at the same time you want them to develop social skills that will instill positive interaction and respect for their peers. Give some decision-making responsibilities; let your child experience the luxury of sports and reinforce boundaries and rules when it’s necessary (Holt, N. L., & Black, D. E, 2007). Don’t force perfection or put your expectations on to their performance, especially in the team atmosphere because due to parent’s lack of encouragement, many times children lose confidence in themselves, then resent you because they’re uncertain of their identity and capabilities to compete; which would cause...
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...Culture and Subculture Youth Soccer offers a healthy activity through its game associations. These associations give emphasis to the ENJOYABLE, and participate in not on winning no matter what the cost. Each child is assured of time on the field and the game is communicated in an enjoyable and pleasant atmosphere (What Is Youth Soccer, 2012). The reason for NASA is to improve, encourage and run a broad-minded soccer association. The objectives of their soccer association are to (Newton Area Soccer Association, 2013): A. Deliver an enjoyable, entertaining and learning opportunity by way of structured soccer. B. Deliver USYSA/ISA association to team participants who would otherwise be self-governing. C. Improve individual expertise in all aspects of the game of soccer. D. Encourage good sportsmanship, confident self-image and competitive group participation in by soccer training and game conditions. E. Cultivate accountability and decision-making expertise. F. Familiarize all members with the guidelines, procedures and approaches of soccer. G. Encourage soccer as a family outing. H. Encourage wellbeing of participants. While there is historical indication of the earliest forms of the game in Asia, Central America, and even the Roman Empire that are comparable to soccer, the game we know dates to the mid-1800s in England. At that time, the “schoolboys” of associations from the likes of Brighton, Eton and Harrow began ball-oriented games with two sides, goal-lines, and...
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...children’s play undergoes several changes, the most obvious of which is children engage in games with rules. These rule-oriented games include informally organized games as well as formally organized sports, such as little league, club or intramural sports. The former category may be variants on popular sports games, well-known childhood games such as red rover, and invented games that children develop on their own. The principal commonality is that these games have a set of rules and often have multiple roles for players. While informal outdoor play allows children to develop rules and try out multiple scenarios, formal, organized sports allows children to learn rules, appreciate their personal skills, and develop their position on a team. Both types of rule-oriented games are important for developing social competencies and enhanced cognitive capabilities. This milestone develops as children begin to develop more improved motor coordination, a better capacity for information processing, and a heightened social maturity (Berk, 2007, p. 294). The physical skills at play in rule-oriented games include flexibility, balance, agility, and force, reflective of increased muscle strength. All four of these are basic motor capacities which become more refined with the gross motor development of middle childhood. Additionally, children’s enhanced capacity for information processing and gains in reaction time and perspective taking—the ability to understand the motivations and roles of others—enable...
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...C.Y. Focused And Naturally Confident Youth After School Based Program Girls Group Executive Summary The overwhelming need for gender specific youth programs have been recognized across the United States. Gender specific programming goes beyond simply focusing on girls. It represents a concentrated effort to assist all girls (not only those involved in the justice system) in positive female development. It takes into account the developmental needs of girls at adolescence, a critical stage for gender identity formation. It nurtures and reinforces “femaleness” as a positive identity with inherent strengths. The founder of T.E.A.M., Inc. (Teaching Empowering And Motivating), Janaha Ransome has the skills needed to implement a gender specific curriculum that is evidenced based an effective. As a highly skilled Chief Executive Officer, Program Manager and Assistant Director, Janaha Ransome has proven experience in building professional relationships with various community groups and developing and implementing successful community-based programs. With more than 10 years in the non-profit and for-profit arena, Janaha Ransome has developed the skills necessary to design and implement programs that promote and enhance economic self-sufficiency and quality of life. She is...
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...The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division of Adolescent and School Health www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth Revised Version — July 2010 (Replaces April 2010 Early Release) Acknowledgments: This publication was developed for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) under contract #200-2002-00800 with ETR Associates. Suggested Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary . 5 Introduction . 8 Methods 10 Conceptual Definitions . 10 Inclusion Criteria . 10 Identification of Studies that Met the Inclusion Criteria . 11 Classification of Studies . 11 Study Coding Process . 12 Data Analysis . 13 Results . 14 School-Based Physical Education Studies . 16 Recess Studies . 19 Classroom Physical Activity Studies . 21 Extracurricular Physical Activity Studies . 24 28 Summary . Overall Findings . 28 Findings for Physical...
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...history, its founder, and some of the activities. George Williams founded the YMCA in 1844. In 1844 twenty-two-year-old George Williams joined 11 friends to organize the first Young Men’s Association (YMCA), a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from life on the streets. The Y offered something unique for its time. The organization’s drive to meet social need in the community was compelling. And its welcoming to members crossed rigid lines separating English social classes. Thomas Valentine Sullivan led the formation of the first U.S. YMCA at the Old South Church in Boston on December 29, 1851. The first “student YMCA” was started in 1856 at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. Dedicated to the leadership development of college students, student Y’s remaining active on the campuses of major universities such as the University of Illinois. In 1853, the first YMCA for blacks was founded by Anthony Bowen, a freed slave, in Washington, D.C. YMCA housing began in the 1860s to give young men moving to cities from rural areas safe and affordable lodging. Facilities included gyms, auditoriums and hotel-like rooms. Chicago’s Farwell Hall, the first known YMCA dormitory, was completed in 1867. Between 1922 and 1940, YMCA accommodations grew from approximately 55,000 rooms to more than 100,000, more than any hotel chain at the time. Among those who stayed at YMCA residences: journalists Andy Rooney and Dan Rather, black...
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