Anyone else’s t(w)een isn’t into sports?

[Anonymous]

My DD enjoys sports and plays two varsity sports. We never were into club/travel teams - she's just a pretty good athlete and enjoys lacrosse and soccer as a 10th grader. She's been playing soccer sicne she was very young.

My DS is in 8th grade and from K to 4th grade, he enjoyed soccer but eventually did not want to do it because it wasn't fun for him anymore. He also did gymnastics those ages as well. For middle school, he didn't do any sports. He's finally found his passion and he's really into video editing on his macbook that he wanted to buy with his own money.

I love sports so I embrace his passions that are not sports. Not every kid will play sports and that's ok.

[Anonymous]

My son is not into sports at all. not at all. we tried when he was younger - until age 5 and it was not going to go anywhere. he hikes and rides his bike for physical activity.

[Anonymous]

My 12 year old isn’t really into sports beyond the occasional game of tennis. Would much rather hike, run (without competing), play guitar, draw, read, hang out with friends in person or online. He is physically fit from daily push-ups and other exercise, so I don’t worry about it much with regard to health.

Part of me wishes he had a tight crew of teammates, but that’s just not his personality. (was not mine either as a kid!)

[Anonymous]

How I wish there was a look of shock for, "Oh, she's not into theatre? / Music? / Art? / Current events? / Social justice? / Community service? / outdoor activities?" I see sports playing a great role in some kids' lives and for others, they force themselves to do it because they think it will lead to status and popularity, or they get branded somehow as lesser. My friends from other countries are shocked by how sports dominates American kids' lives. But I don't think it's ever going to change.

[Anonymous]

^^ meant to add: at many private schools, for several grades, there's compulsory team participation, even at ages when there's no out-of-school arts requirement or community service requirement. Why such prejudice toward one mode of activity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP.

America is a sports obsessed culture. It's just facts. Tens of millions won't be sitting down on Feb 12 to watch the National Symphony Orchestra on TV. Sports give some social status and they are a common language and are easy to talk about for many people. So I don't think it's that people can't conceive of different things, but I do think sports and talking about and asking about it tends to drown out most other things and people just default to it and yes, it can get tiresome if it's not your thing. Both of my kids have been asked countless times by well meaning adults just trying to make conversation...what sport do you play? No one has ever asked them what instrument they play.

It helps to be able to play both sports and music. Sports help make kids' lives easier in HS and music help make their lives easier in college and in life. I always say to my kids: Play guitar very well and you will have an amazing college experience with the opposite sex, as I did.

So bizarre.

Ha, it’s kind of true though, isn’t it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How I wish there was a look of shock for, "Oh, she's not into theatre? / Music? / Art? / Current events? / Social justice? / Community service? / outdoor activities?" I see sports playing a great role in some kids' lives and for others, they force themselves to do it because they think it will lead to status and popularity, or they get branded somehow as lesser. My friends from other countries are shocked by how sports dominates American kids' lives. But I don't think it's ever going to change.

I soooo agree with this. My kids do all play sports, for now (middle school) but not sure they will in high school. I have noticed that about 50% or so of their friends/kids we know this age do NOT play any sports. Seems like there was a big dropoff at middle school age.

[Anonymous]

The fact that school systems don’t ban practices/games/events over school breaks is mind boggling to me.