Reply to Why do people allow kids to play sports at the expense of academics?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Serious question, why is it so commonly assumed that playing sports, gives one all of these skills. I played sports growing up and yes it was exercise and fun, which in and of itself as s worthwhile, but I honestly don't think it did jack shit as far as improving my teamwork, leadership, etc. this argument always seemed like something parents want to believe to justify the vast amount of money and time they devote to their kids' sports. [/quote]

It's funny, but I used to ask this exact question of my husband.  In the early years of our marriage, he would go on and on about how everything important he learned from life came from sports:  the ability to work as part of a team, be a leader, etc.  I would roll my eyes and point out that he and I seemed to have arrived at pretty much the exact same point in life--education, career, and value-wise--despite the fact that I had never participated in team sports.

Fast forward to many years later with two very serious athlete children and one who is interested in sports but not as athletically gifted, and I have a really different perspective on it.  Comparing myself to my husband and my older kids, I've come to see how much harder I had to work to become confident and decisive, and how much longer it took than it did/has for them.  I think if you work hard at sports and take them seriously, you learn life lessons much more quickly and efficiently than you do just by living and figuring things out.  And if you learn to be assertive and figure out the teamwork angle early, you get more out of school and social interactions, with less anxiety.  The difference between my less athletic child before and after getting into sports are pretty striking too--school is more comfortable and enjoyable for little boys who are perceived as being decent at sports and recess activities.

Some of those benefits may not happen if you play sports more casually, just for fun, though you of course can make friends and help to get fit through that approach.  Whatever level though, I've come to think that sports are wonderful for kids of all abilities, and I don't have "justify" the time and money we spend on it.  I also love the social scene with the other sports parents and extended families.  It's nice to be part of that sort of community.[/quote]

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