| REVIEWER | RATING & REVIEW |
 | irishgit (151)
05/21/2008 | My life was saved by team sports. Just before I turned thirteen, my father died, and I was lost, within months headed down a road to ruin.
A fine, but thoroughly unlikeable man I will never forget forced me back into sports, made me play baseball, and gave me a center to my life. I owe him, and I owe that game, and I owe football (which I started playing a year later) a debt I can never repay. I try, by coaching those sports now, but I will remember all my life what could have been, and what saved me.
I don't believe in pushing a kid into sports, but I do believe in exposing them to sports and letting them make some choices. If the choice is ultimately not to play, so be it.
I would also say that in my observation, as a parent and a coach, that team sports often instill a sense of confidence in kids, and give them an understanding of being part of something bigger than themselves.
(9 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 1 agree) |
 | Vudija (98)
06/18/2007 | Team sports are great for kids - it gives them the chance to stay active, make friends, and learn some valuable lessons about winning and losing.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | madamedragonlily (5)
05/31/2006 | I support them if they have an interest in this but I do not overly encourage. I feel alot of pressure is put on kids to win and succeed and left with no room for failure. I care more about what my kid feels and wants then I do whether he or she is a winning athlete.
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | HistoryFan (100)
12/19/2005 | It depends. The best thing to do is to get your kids to try a sport as early as 5 so they'll be good at it once they reach their teens.
However, if he/she isn't good at it and shows no interest in it, then it's time for the parent to pull the kid out of sports and find something else to interest them.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | numbah16tdhaha (156)
09/26/2005 | I'll let a kid try, I guess. If they suck they'll know it and they would likely look for something else.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Gentle Jude (25)
09/25/2005 | Team sports is great, but I am going to have to agree with JohnTheMan 100%. It is easy for those of us who love and are good at sports to encourage our children to play sports. But what if your child is not good at it? They will feel forced and the parent's zeal may be the very thing which makes them hate sport. I wasn't good at sport when I was a child and I got bored when people tried to encourage me. Plus it can make a child feel really bad about themselves and as if they are letting their parents down if that parent tries to make them feel it is the most important thing in the world. But since I am better at sport now, I love playing team sports. It is not wrong to encourage, it is just not good to force the issue on a child who clearly has no interest.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Randyman (109)
04/26/2005 | My youngest daughter has played softball for most of her life. My son played baseball, football and soccer for a few years, and my oldest daughter played volleyball. They all learned the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship. One of the best things a parent could do is have their kids participate in some type of sports, at the very least it'll keep them off the streets and out of trouble.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | bibliophile (12)
11/13/2004 | This is great for kids that really have the interest and aptitude. But it can be demoralizing for children without the skills or desire, especially when they cause their team to lose and are made to feel worthless for it (and no, I don't mean by the coach).
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | zuchinibut (41)
11/12/2004 | I think team sports are good for children at a young age, and I would hope they would play them as they got older, but I wouldn't force it upon them if they decided it wasn't for them as they grew older.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Sundiszno (32)
06/11/2004 | If a child shows a real inclination for team sports, they should be encouraged to participate and excel. Sports can be a calling as much as academics, although it's tough for everyone who wants to to make the cut. Even that, however, can be a learning experience for children.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | JonTheMan (29)
01/28/2004 | If he/she was any good, yes. However if my child was anything like his/her old man at sports I wouldn't discourage them but I would try and play down its importance.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
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