Participation in Youth Sports Declining: Part 1
{Stock photo}
According to a national survey of sports conducted by the Aspen Institute and Utah State University, the average child spends less than three years participating in sports and quits by age eleven. More than 70 percent stop playing by 13.
But why is that? Some studies suggest the reason for the major decline is that sports have become too demanding for kids, and young athletes are feeling pressured to achieve at an elite level. However, Aspen Institute’s survey of parents of youth athletes concluded that the primary reason kids are quitting sports is simply they aren't having fun playing them anymore.
Instead of going outside to play catch, shoot hoops, or organize a neighborhood pick-up game like in the “good ol’ days,” an astonishingly high rate of kids now spend the majority of their free time with their friends online playing video games. Or, scrolling through social media, videos and text messages.
Tom Farrey, a former reporter for ESPN and executive director of the Sports and Society Program, explains, “Video games offer kids the action, creativity and interaction that they don't all necessarily get with playing sports. It has everything except for physical activity. Then you go to a youth sport event and a kid might touch the ball three times in the course of a game or practice. And you still wonder why they check out after a while?”
Wesley “Mack” Brooks, 13, a student athlete at North Davidson Middle School, said that he has noticed the decline of his peers participating in sports in recent years. When asked what he believes the reason to be, He opinioned, “A lot of people I’ve played sports with in the past have stopped because they thought it was too much work, too hot, and said they would rather play video games, or do something else that's not physical.”
Andrew Lance, Parks and Recreation Manager for the city of Lexington offers this reasoning, “Computers and electronics play a bigger role in kid’s lives these days, but that is expected when they’re using technology for school and entertainment, and also will be using it in their lives more regularly. Technology offers us a new opportunity, though. While it may not offer the same physical fitness benefits, Esports is a fast growing nationwide trend that offers the same life skills as regular sports, but is available to kids of all abilities, which increases the access of these life lessons and camaraderie to kids that may not be interested in playing traditional sports.”
Jimmy Davis, a former coach for more than 20 years in Davidson county, has a different opinion where technology is considered. He calls attention to parents, saying, “It seems like it's easier for a lot of parents to just buy a Playstation than to get their kids out to play these days.”
Todd Rausch, Head coach of Oak Grove High School’s boy’s varsity basketball team, and President & Founder of the Carolina Impact Travel Athletics Association, agrees,”I definitely consider parents to be a factor. We don’t currently hold our children accountable, or place responsibilities on them that were prevalent during our generations in the 80’s and 90’s. When, parents (most of us anyhow) were the age of our children, we had daily chores, no phones, and less screen time.”
Based on the information Brooks had provided about his peers no longer playing because it was too much work, and too hot, Davis was asked if he thought that some of the decline could be due to this generation of youth being “softer” than past generations. Without hesitation, Davis responds, “No, not at all. All kids will do what you expect of them. Kids are amazing and will respond accordingly, it's the parents that have become lazier and softer in my opinion.”
Mandy Kiser, mother of a local student athlete, says, “A large issue with sports in Davidson county is the dynamics of the booster clubs. Their lack of leadership, and their inconsistency.”
A booster club is defined as,“an organization that is formed by parents and members of a community to help support the efforts of sports teams or organizations. Support is shown in many ways, including volunteering time, raising money and contributing funds to better enhance the team or organization’s performance.”
Monthly meetings are typically held, and are open to everyone. Often, they’re a great platform to raise awareness regarding concerns or needs.
Davis expressed ” Parents have to be involved. If the booster club is doing something you disagree with or if there are issues that need to be addressed, can you really complain about anything if you're not involved? Parents need to advocate for their children.”
You can contact your child's school or visit their website to find out how to get involved with the booster club.
{Part 2 will be published tomorrow.}
