Violence taints youth sports
By MICHAEL CULVER
It is common knowledge that many of today’s sporting activities
involve a brutal clash among the participants, but two episodes in the
past two weeks should be a cause of concern for parents and students alike
who attend or participate in organized athletics.
The first instance involved a father who allegedly shot a Texas high school
football coach after the coach banned his son from athletics. The second
incident is closer to home. A 13-year-old boy from Palmdale, Calif. allegedly
killed a 15-year-old boy by beating him with a baseball bat after the
two boys exchanged words following a game.
Are organized sports the cause of these tragedies, or is the problem human
nature in general?
Maybe the answer lies somewhere in between.
It would be easy to blame organized sports alone. There’s been a
lot of discussion about the very nature of violence in sports and the
competitive nature it brings out in seemingly normal people. It could
be argued that the competitiveness to reach the next level, be it a college
education or future professional career, provokes these aggressive acts.
It is human nature to make heroes of our athletes. We have made heroes
of them since recorded history began, describing the athletic prowess
of those who undertake the challenges presented by competition. We pay
them well, and elevate them to a standard above the average citizen. Today’s
children strive to become these heroes, and their parents are willing
to do anything — even murder — to help them achieve this elevated
status in our society.
Will I have to worry for my child’s safety over the next 10 years
as she begins participating in competitive sports? Yes. Will there be
other instances of violence surrounding organized sports? Most certainly.
Can anything be done to change any of this? Not likely, because parents
live for their children and children perform for their parents. That is
human nature, and that can’t be changed.
So this year, while you’re sitting in the stands or standing in
the outfield, look at those around you and take note. The enemy is all
around you, and the battlefield may be marked by a goalpost.
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