Reply to Please help us understand the youth sports culture in the US

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[quote=Anonymous]I agree with the comments about HS competitiveness being a big factor (requiring kids to play on travel teams or do advanced training while young).

Beyond that, social life for kids and teens REALLY seems to revolve around organized activities (sports or other) rather than just “hanging out”. I live in an UMC suburb and have three DC: ages 15 (boy) 14 (girl) and 12 (boy). They, and nearly all of their friends, are busy with sports or are heavily involved in other activities- that take up much of their free time. There would be little to do on the weekends- socially- otherwise. Sure, there are parties or hangouts here and there. But most weekends- Larla is on a band trip, Susie has a softball tournament, Katie has a swim meet all day Saturday, etc etc. It has been this way since late elementary school or so. By the time they are in late middle school (and certainly high school)- activities tend to be more or less year round…club teams etc or at minimum off-season workouts and such.

I don’t necessarily agree that this is the healthiest or most ideal for kids even though I allow it for my own  (and many parents would agree). However, the alternative is to do…what? Hang out with your parents all weekend, every weekend- waiting for friends to be free for a few hours? That would not be particularly healthy or ideal either. It is just the bandwagon effect in play…[/quote]

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