"How We're Harming Young Athletes"

The idea that physical activity may be a harmful force may go unheard of today, especially because of the presence of childhood obesity. Sports and other activities are heavily promoted to combat obesity and promote a "healthier" lifestyle. However, this article introduces and explores the idea that young athletes are actually in grave danger of harming their future bodies – presenting childhood sports as a force we should be wary of.

In childhood and adolescence, human bones are constantly growing and muscles are developing. Sports put constant pressure on the body and may make one prone to overuse injuries, stress fractures, and the like. Tantamount to this danger is the psychological harm children face. At an early age, athletes feel pressured by parents, coaches, or even themselves to perform at a stellar standard in order to receive that shiny athletic scholarship perhaps. Yet before it is even time to apply to college, a young athlete may already face burnout. The point of sports seems to be getting lost in this generation: they are no longer games that are played for fun; they are imperatives – prerequisites to a better future.

The writer’s tone is very critical of the manner and reason that children play sports today. I personally do not agree entirely - she may be too cynical - yet I do believe she presents valid arguments. Her final question does, however, merit reflection for overly competitive parents: “Which will your child have longer--a nice, shiny trophy from winning a tournament or the injury he or she sustained getting it?”