A recent survey conducted by the American Public Health Association may suggest that participation in organized team sports may relats to increased "bad behavior" in high school students. The 2007 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey analyzes the responses to over 13,000 high school students. About 60% of boys and 48% of girls reported being on one or more team in the last year. The rsults of the survey were that for males, sports resulted in a decreased risk of depression and smoking, but an increased risk of fighting and binge drinking. For girls, the results showed that association in sports resulted in a decreased risk in fighting, depression, cigarette use, mrijuana use, and unhealthy weight loss. For girls, there was no real correlation between sports and drinking.
Personally, I think that this study should not focus on the fact that the individuals play team sports. I am not saying that everything that happens among players on sports teams can be considered "good behavior" but I dont think that it is because of the sports that these players make bad decisions. If the study shows anything in my opinion, it is that players who play on teams together form bonds and friendships that sometimes are very tight. Because of this, if one player is making a bad decision it can easily bring down a good portion of their teammates. For example, if a teammate gets into a fight, mkore often than not, his or her teamate would be willing to fight by their side. The same goes for drinking. If there is a party at one of the players houses there are likely to be other players there. If one of them is drinking, or using drugs, there is a good chance more than one will be willing to join.
The issue here is not that of sports, it is of influence, peer pressure, and sociology. If anything, it can fall back on the parenting of those childern who make bad decisions in the first place that get others involved. Sport is not to blame for our sociaological issues, it is merely an avenue for these issues to be shown.
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I agree with you, I dont think it has anything to do with sports per say, I think its just the fact that a bunch of high school kids are getting together on a regular basis, they are forming bonds and trust, and at the high school age you tend to be easily persuaded into doing things you might not normally have done if someone didnt suggest it. Or could be doing it for the fear of being rejected or left out.
ReplyDeleteTeam sports are the best thing for students. the bonds between teamates are unbreakable. however, i do see where it can be seen that bad behavior happens in students who play team sports. for example, ater friday night games in highschool my team used to hold parties where drinking and smoking did occure. however, i was not allowed out by my father hense forth and furthermore this is proof that not all students that participatein team sports misbehave.
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