I remember when I was in elementary school, and during almost every school lunch me and my friends would go outside and play kickball. I mean, it was a hit. We had big tournaments that were so competitive we had the duty ref for us. Looking back, these games were one of the many highlights of my time in elementary school. Youth sports in America have no doubt taken off in the last couple of years. They have progressed from what used to be fun pickup games you played during school lunch to now full-blown travel teams. Sports have been around for as long as we can remember; all throughout the world you see sports embedded in cultures and societies. The Olympics, the World Cup, and the Super Bowl are just three of the world’s most popular sporting events. These events are harmless but can affect how we spend our money, how we spend our time, and even our moods.
In America many parents face the choice of whether to enroll their kids in youth sports. They remember back to a time when they played basketball or soccer in high school and want the same experience for their child. They consider signing them up for little league baseball or rec soccer that requires minimal commitment and only costs a small amount. They don’t consider what kind of cycle they are getting into, a cycle that’s hard to get off of once you’re on. Good and bad, youth sports are an experience that many American parents sign their kids up for. Parents need to closely consider the positive and negative effects that youth sports can have on their child, so they make the right decision for their child and their future.
Perspective #1: The Benefits of Youth Sports
Many parents across America share the common belief that youth sports are one of the best things you can get your child involved in. The blog published by the University of San Diego Professionalism and Education, “The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development,” covers how K-12 sports are about more than just winning. They explain youth sports can help develop social skills, foster relationships, and the benefits of physical and mental health. The blog mentions the growing popularity of video games, social media, and other technology that is driving kids to stay indoors, causing negative health effects. The article “The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development” cites the information from the PCSFN Science Board showing that “[it] should come as no surprise that the CDC recently reported a 19.7% childhood obesity rate in the United States,” which means now more than ever there is a growing emphasis on youth sports and the importance of them becoming an outlet for kids to exercise their bodies, enabling them to stay in better shape. The blog mentions that sports improve sleep, lower the risk of future illness, and develop strength, endurance, and hand-eye coordination (“The Benefits of Youth Sports”). Sports give children a healthier alternative to video games leading them to a healthier future. Despite sports being most praised for their physical benefits, recently the mental side has been looked into more and there is strong evidence to show how sports can lower stress, anxiety, and depression (“The Benefits of Youth Sports”).According to this blog, children involved in athletics can also be a big factor in academic success. A lot of times sports lead to a smaller number of dropouts and overall higher GPAs, influencing a child's development of skills that can be taken through life (“The Benefits of Youth Sports”). Sports teach you how to be your own person, they teach you how to handle yourself in tough situations and how to handle conflict with teammates and coaches. The blog shares the idea that children will learn these skills when they are involved in sports (“The Benefits of Youth Sports”). All this to be said, the parents and people who support youth sports have a strong belief that sports will benefit a child’s mental and physical health and that being involved in a sport will equip their child with many important social skills and life lessons.
Perspective #2: The Negatives of Youth Sports
Many parents see youth sports as one of the best extracurricular activities they can get their kids involved in, but very strong arguments can be made about the negative effects of youth sports. In her peer-reviewed article, “Youth Sport: Positive and Negative Impact on Young Athletes," Donna L. Merkel emphasizes that “[y]oung athletes are vulnerable to a variety of traumatic and overuse injuries” due to “increased growth velocity” and “closure of the growth plates.” Children are experiencing these injuries because their bones, muscles, and tendons are still developing, therefore putting them at higher risk. Another concern regarding youth sports is that even though not all injuries are preventable, coaches and parents aren’t consistent with looking out for the safety of young athletes. According to Merkel, “67% of injuries occur during practice session,” but “many parents enforce fewer safety precautions during these times than during competition.” Merkel further demonstrates that consistent limitations or restrictions enforced by parents and coaches have been more widely recognized to hopefully reduce injuries as a whole (Merkel). Specialization in one sport has become more popular as of late.Choosing to focus on one sport at a young age can lead to losing your heart for the game, peer isolation, and a higher risk for a mental or physical injury (Merkel). These possible outcomes are hard for athletes to overcome and often cause them to quit altogether.
Oftentimes the specialization of one sport is thought to increase the chances of a young athlete going to college on an athletic scholarship, or further which can happen but isn’t likely. Less than 5% of athletes will play their specific sport at the D1 or D2 level (Merkel). In reality we see that after equipment, fees, jerseys, travel, and private lessons are all accounted for, parents often end up spending way more than what they would be saving if their child received a scholarship (Merkel). Coaches play a major role in youth sports, some being volunteer parents while others have personal or professional experience. Coaches aren’t always good, and at times show favoritism and pressure to win. This negative energy causes young athletes to no longer find joy in the sport, at times causing them to quit. When parents decide to have their kids play sports, these factors are important to consider.
Points of Agreement
Despite both these articles arguing on different points of view, there are multiple similarities and differences mentioned. One of the points both authors agreed on is that sports are known for fostering positive personality skills. These skills can be taken with the child all through their life, impacting them and whoever they’re surrounded by for the better. Merkel states that “[p]articipation in sport is widely believed to improve moral character, sportsmanship, and ability to collaborate towards a common goal,” and the article The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development cites the information from the psychological benefits of youth sports states that sports influence “[g]reater self-confidence and higher self-esteem.” Another point that both sides agree on is how important coaches are in a young athlete’s journey.Children often look up to their coaches, especially when they don’t have present parents or other positive role models in their lives. “For many children, one of the key distinctions between a positive youth sports experience and a negative one is the support and mentorship of a qualified coach,” says The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development. Coaches can ultimately be the deciding factor of whether a child continues to play their sport. So often young athletes spend multiple hours a week training, and as a result of this “the coach becomes a model for behavior” (Merkel). While both authors have different viewpoints and are arguing from different perspectives, they do share common ground on the importance of a good coach and the positive skills that can be learned from a sport.
Although both of these authors share some common ideas, there are still some big differences. One major difference was whether or not youth sports are benefiting the physical health of children, specifically their bones and tendons. On one hand the article "The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development” cites information from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association claiming that sports provide “better development of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.” Merkel, in contrast, argues that “[c]hildren’s bones are weaker than their ligaments and tendons, therefore they are at an increased risk for fractures throughout the bone and growth plate.” Another point of disagreement between both authors is what kind of effect parents have on their child while in sports. Depending on the parent, kids can feel supported and loved or stressed and a sense of failure. Merkel argues that parents “behave inappropriately by putting too much emphasis on winning” have “impractical expectations” and are “criticizing or pampering their children.” These parents aren’t as rare as you think but are often seen by many high school coaches (Merkel). On the contrary, the article “The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development” quotes Kari Stefansen as she explains that youth sports can generate “[n]ew opportunities for kids to interact with their parents,” and as a result “improve the parent-children relationship.” These differences are good; they influence us to think about the impact youth sports can have on children and the physical and mental effects that often come along with sports.
Points of Disagreement
Although both of these authors share some common ideas, there are still some big differences. One major difference was whether or not youth sports are benefiting the physical health of children, specifically their bones and tendons. On one hand the article "The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development” cites information from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association claiming that sports provide “better development of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.” Merkel, in contrast, argues that “[c]hildren’s bones are weaker than their ligaments and tendons, therefore they are at an increased risk for fractures throughout the bone and growth plate.” Another point of disagreement between both authors is what kind of effect parents have on their child while in sports. Depending on the parent, kids can feel supported and loved or stressed and a sense of failure. Merkel argues that parents “behave inappropriately by putting too much emphasis on winning” have “impractical expectations” and are “criticizing or pampering their children.” These parents aren’t as rare as you think but are often seen by many high school coaches (Merkel). On the contrary, the article “The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development” quotes Kari Stefansen as she explains that youth sports can generate “[n]ew opportunities for kids to interact with their parents,” and as a result “improve the parent-children relationship.” These differences are good; they influence us to think about the impact youth sports can have on children and the physical and mental effects that often come along with sports.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Source #1
The argument of whether children should be involved in youth sports will always have its strengths and weaknesses. The article “The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development” was able to incorporate in their argument the abundant number of sources cited. Throughout the article they pulled information from multiple sources, including peer-reviewed articles and credible sources like the National Athletic Trainer’s Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using sources similar to these in their argument gave them credibility, showing their audience they took the time to do credible and reliable research. They organized their article in a very straightforward and clear manner, only incorporating the appropriate sources when needing to prove a point. In these areas they succeeded, but they lacked addressing all angles of the argument. They failed to mention burnout, the risk of injuries, or the idea that not all kids find an interest in sports. Leaving out some of these obvious topics can weaken their argument, giving the reader the sense that this is a one-sided argument. Another major weak spot in their article is at the end of the article they mention they offer a coaching certificate that can help teach you all the necessary skills to become a great coach. This can come off as if they are writing an ad to promote this certificate they offer. It lessens their credibility, giving their audience the idea this is more of a marketing strategy rather than an informational article.Strengths and Weaknesses of Source #2
Compromise
Nevertheless, both of these articles argue two sides of the argument that continues to circulate through America and the sports world. On one side the article “The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development” argues how beneficial youth sports can be for children’s physical and mental health. Sports can create healthy lifelong habits to work out your body and find ways to improve your mental health. They also explain the academic benefits sports can bring to a young athlete, as well as lessons you can only learn through sports, which can be taken through life. On the other side, Merkel argues the potential risk of a traumatic physical injury that some children experience. She explains that children aren’t all going to be successful in the sport they choose to specialize in, which can burden families financially and emotionally. Despite these disagreements, both these authors can agree that a good coach can create such a positive and meaningful impact in a child’s life. They also both agree that when in a good sports environment, sports can benefit a child’s mental health.From my experience of playing soccer since I was five, being on multiple rec and club soccer teams and being on my high school soccer team, I believe youth sports can impact a child in both ways. Sports can be overwhelming when you’re really young, but for me soccer was how I found my friends, where I spent my time, and how I took care of myself. I learned what it meant to take care of my body and mind. I learned what it meant to work hard for something I wanted or how to have hard conversations with people. Soccer taught me to be dedicated and to be eager to learn. Despite learning so many amazing lessons and creating many amazing memories, soccer wasn’t perfect. As I got older soccer took up a majority of my time, and I began to find my identity in my sport rather than in myself as a person. I had several bad coaches that took the love out of the game for me, affecting my mental health. I suffered many minor injuries that took a toll on my body, one of which ended my senior season. From my experience, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. The good outweighed the bad in so many different ways, and I don’t believe I would be the same person I am today without soccer. Not everyone's story is like mine, some people view youth sports very differently. Youth sports aren’t for every child. Understanding that not every child is cut out for playing a sport and good communication throughout that process is one of the best options a parent can choose.
By Avery Dewey
Works Cited
Administrator. “The Benefits of Youth Sports in Child Development.” University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education, 18 Aug. 2025, pce.sandiego.edu/child-development-through-sports/.
Merkel, Donna L. “Youth Sport: Positive and Negative Impact on Young Athletes.” Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 May 2013, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3871410/#abstract1.
Avery, I really enjoyed reading your essay! I can relate to many of the points you made because I also played soccer from a very young age. I especially liked how you mentioned that the good outweighed the bad, because that is something I completely agree with.
ReplyDeleteI like how you break down both sides of youth sports without making it feel one sided. Your story stood out because it made everything feel real.
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