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Sportsmanship

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A child’s world is full of violence. It appears in video games, films, and TV programs and many parents in the hope of removing their children from some of this violence are encouraging and sometimes pushing their children into participating in organized sports. The problem is this same violence in creeping its way into baseball, football, soccer, basketball, and hockey. The violence is shown by the parents’ and coaches’ poor conduct and rage. This violent behavior on the part of parents and coaches must be curbed and we must bring back the learning of the rules and skills of the sport and a sense of good sportsmanship and values.
Some parents are losing sight of why these children are playing and that to the children is what they are doing “playing”. Many parents come to their child’s practice or game with their own agenda of win, win, win at all costs. The team winning, the points scored, who is the big scorer are the issues that have replaced fun and sportsmanship on the eyes of the parents. These unreasonable expectations of winning, not messing up, being the star player, and making mom and/or dad proud are everything to the kids. These parents expect perfection from their children, coaches and referees. It no longer is for the kids. Maybe Mom and Dad were promising athletes in their youth and for one reason or another were robbed of their hopes and are living their dreams through their children. The major problem seems to be that these parents are not considering what the children want. Kids want things like unlimited free throws until they miss in basketball, everyone having a turn to play, less violence in hockey, using their hands in soccer, and to have fun. Perhaps the parents should listen to the children on this issue.
Originally, the purpose of organized sports for young children was to teach them the basics of the game and skills needed to play, to

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