04
Sep
2017
the snowballing youth sports industry
Several observations on the rapidly expanding youth sports industry:
- the privatization of youth sports has increased costs for families, making opportunity less accessible for many
- youth sports are increasingly framed as an opportunity mechanism (a means to a scholarship) rather than a social and developmental mechanism (a means for fun and personal growth)
- many expectations associated with youth sports are unrealistic (on 2% of high school athletes make D1) and place heightened pressure on kids
- the youth sports industry encourages year-round focus on single sports — nudging other sports and activities out of the picture for many young children. almost all research suggests that early specialization like this is not good.
- many of the coaches associated with youth sports lack training/expertise and have questionable motivations ($$$$) for being involved in youth sports.
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