High school sports sports began in the early 1900's and was modeled after the English public school system. During that time the social conditions were much different than current conditions. Racism was very prevalent during the time so man African Americans and other minorities did not receive the same opportunities as whites. High school sports provide many positives to a school as well as some negative aspects. Sports can bring a school together to collectively show pride and passion for their school. High school spots can also encourage students to stay active while learning important lessons from their sports team. These lessons can include, determination, honor, sportsmanship, and the overall benefits of athletic competition.
Although we would like to think that high school sports accomplish all these things, in reality many of these objectives are not being met. Students often show unsportsmanlike actions as athletes and as fans for these sports teams. Students may take sports as an opportunity to show dominance and superiority, which can lead to problems. Students may also receive too much pressure from coaches, parents, etc.. to win which can put a lot of extra pressure on a student, while their first priority should be school not sports. This can also encourage students to cheat, such as taking performance enhancing drugs, or playing a dirty style of participation. There is not a single solution to help solve these problems that occur in high school sports, but there are some things that can help. One solution to dealing with parents or coaches putting too much pressure on student athletes, may be increased awareness of when there is too much pressure. Student athletes should have a counselor or someone of that sort to talk to if they feel they are receiving too much pressure. This is a delicate situation because it is hard for high school students to feel comfortable talking to someone about these matters.
I think the pressure from parents and coaches begins far before high school. In class, we talk about the "sport ethic" in terms of professional athletes. I believe the sport ethic comes into play much before then. The constant struggle that society strains on athletes is slowly making it way to younger and younger people.
ReplyDeleteGabriella Porreco
I agree with the previous comment. Even before high school, athletes have certain expectations placed upon them, and then progresses through high school and beyond.
ReplyDeleteAsher Bensko