25 million American children can not be wrong. Even though at least 20 millionof these kids will suffer injury by the age of 15, only 10% of the injuries areserious enough to require more than one visit to the doctor. I have been playingbaseball as well as other organized sports for almost 15 years; and in myopinion, sports develop friendship and self-esteem. I believe that coachesshould take a “how-to” class on what a coach should and should not do. Injuries occur for three main reasons.
First, because parents push theirchildren past their natural ability level, thus it causes injury to the overworked body parts. Second, an accident occurs such as a turned ankle or a balltaking a bad bounce and hitting a player. The third, and most common reason, acoach teaches a player the wrong way to perform specific task. For example, whenI was 12 years old, my baseball coach taught me the wrong way to throw a curveball. After repeatedly throwing the wrong way, I tore a ligament in my rightelbow. If my coach at that time, would have taken some kind of class, he wouldhave known the proper way to teach the technique.
Nevertheless, I feel thatsports should greatly benefit a child’s self-esteem. Competition also buildsself-esteem because children grow both emotionally and physically and sportshelp to develop a positive view of both themselves and their athletic skills. Aslong as children feel that they are beneficial to the team, they are developingself-esteem because they see their personal role in the team as important to thewhole cause. If a child is not athletically gifted, he can always take up a morenon-competitive sport such as jogging or weight-training. This will also buildself-esteem because the child can see his improvement and relate to others atthe same time (Michelli and Jenkins).
As well as building self-esteem, sportscan help develop life-long friendships. Children form all different ethnic andreligious backgrounds come together to play a game. This makes a good place forchildren to mingle with others of the same age. This can in turn give each childa sense of belonging and camaraderie between different races. Athletics alsoallow children to learn about their abilities as compared to other children ofthe same age. Children learn about talent that otherwise may have goneunnoticed.
If I had not been involved in sports from an early age, I may havenever discovered the talent that I have in baseball. I loved playing baseballfrom the first day I stepped on the field. I feel that most every child has agood time being around children of their own age. If not for the fun of playingthe game, then for the fun of being around children that are different fromthem. In conclusion, children have fun while building self-esteem and making newfriendships.
I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages by far. That is why I believe we should let kids have fun, and learn about themselveswhile doing it.
