SPORT AND THE OVERZEALOUS PARENT

A major challenge for children participating in sport today is the overzealousness of parents, some of whom unintentionally discourage their children from continuing physical activity. While parents are encouraged to fully support their children in all their pursuits, they must also control their own competitive personalities, which tend to be faster ignited by sport than other fields of endeavor.

It is understandably difficult to restrain excitement when watching your child play sport. In fact, your children will recognize and appreciate that enthusiasm. However, some parents embarrass their children by belittling other participants, undermining coaches and insulting, or even threatening, officials. While antagonistic scrutiny is a reality of elite sport, this kind of behavior in youth sport creates negative experiences for children and discourages them from further participation.

Advances in modern technology have increased the coverage and viewership of sports. Cable television increased the sporting content available for our parents a few decades ago and streaming devices have made just about anything available for viewing consumption for today’s parent, including sporting events from every part of the globe. Smartphones have made it possible to keep updated with the latest sports coverage on the go.

This has not only increased the awareness of sport in demographics which may have previously had a casual interest, but has also made parents more aware of the burgeoning availability of opportunities for the modern athlete. While family support is important for any aspiring sportsperson, parents should not place the unnecessary burden of expectation on children especially in the formative years of participation in sport.

Parents, who are also sport fans, are reminded that children develop at different rates and possess different talents. Parents, who were themselves outstanding or even excellent athletes, must be especially careful that their words and deeds do not lower the self-esteem of their own children who may not yet demonstrate similar sporting ability. The physical and mental health benefits of sport for all of tomorrow’s adults should not be compromised today by parents who facilitate their children’s sport activities solely for living vicariously through their offspring or even raising a wealthy superstar.