Pushing Kids to the Limit Essay -- Essays Papers

Pushing Kids to the Limit Children today seem to be involved in many activities outside of school. A number of children may play soccer, swim, play an instrument, and help out around the house while at the same time trying to succeed academically. In many cases, the vast number of sports played by these children is due to the parent’s encouragement, or enforcement. Some parents may enforce after school activities in order to keep their children away from the â€Å"evils of society†: drugs, alcohol, and simply loitering and causing trouble. Unfortunately, at times, the pressure from the parents can have negative effects on the children academically and/or socially. Some reasons that parents push their kids so much, could be the small possibility of a college scholarship or money for the child in the future, keeping their children off the street, or the chance that the parents are living vicariously through their child’s sports glory. Title IX is a law that requires high schools and colleges to give the same amount of money to both girls and boys sports in an attempt to make the genders equal. However, instead of simply equalizing the two sides, this law provides more scholarships for women because they are still competing in fewer sports than men. This will usually peak the parent’s interest, making them believe that there are plenty of scholarships out there for their daughters. Unfortunately this is not exactly true. As Lester Munson, an associate editor at Sports Illustrated, explains it (in an article by Brendan Tierney), â€Å"This is the theory that many parents have that if they start their child young enough, and work him or her hard enough, that he or she will get a college scholarship or become a professional athle... ...fast. Yes, get children involved in sports and activities. In the long run it will pay off, but please, keep it all in perspective. Works Cited - Shields, David Light. â€Å"Another View: The reality of Olympic dreams for children.† 2002. (November 5, 2002). - â€Å"Study show athletes among heaviest college drinkers.† May 7, 1998. Shawnee News Star. (November 16, 2002). - Tierney, Brendan. â€Å"How to Become a Better Sports Parent.† September 18, 2002. (November 3, 2002). - â€Å"Vacation or Training Day? Shanghai Parents Shaping Their Children.† July 23, 2002. Shanghai Star. (November 17, 2002).