The Youth Sports Crisis: Out-of-Control Adults, Helpless Kids
This provocative critique of the youth sports movement examines the various issues surrounding children in sports and provides a plan for reform based on a change in philosophy and practice.

Many American children spend more than 20 hours a week in organized sports, forgoing free time and unstructured recreational activities for the rigors of training and competition. This book offers a comprehensive critique of the youth sports movement, pitting the reality of adult-run sports programs against the needs and interests of children. It examines whether the tradeoff of "normal play time" for structured sports activities teaches discipline and leads to stronger character development, or if the pressures of the game, the physical strain of practicing, and the general overscheduling of children's lives have eroded the benefits associated with playing sports.

Educator and former coach Steven J. Overman contends that youth-based sports programs require a radical change for the well-being of the young participants. The book explores the various problems in organized sports, including stress on the family, physical health hazards, violence, emotional duress, elitism, and hyper-competitiveness. Incorporating the perspectives of coaches, athletes, parents, physicians, and social scientists, the narrative scrutinizes the role of adults as promoters and coaches and concludes with a discussion of current and needed reforms.

1118935230
The Youth Sports Crisis: Out-of-Control Adults, Helpless Kids
This provocative critique of the youth sports movement examines the various issues surrounding children in sports and provides a plan for reform based on a change in philosophy and practice.

Many American children spend more than 20 hours a week in organized sports, forgoing free time and unstructured recreational activities for the rigors of training and competition. This book offers a comprehensive critique of the youth sports movement, pitting the reality of adult-run sports programs against the needs and interests of children. It examines whether the tradeoff of "normal play time" for structured sports activities teaches discipline and leads to stronger character development, or if the pressures of the game, the physical strain of practicing, and the general overscheduling of children's lives have eroded the benefits associated with playing sports.

Educator and former coach Steven J. Overman contends that youth-based sports programs require a radical change for the well-being of the young participants. The book explores the various problems in organized sports, including stress on the family, physical health hazards, violence, emotional duress, elitism, and hyper-competitiveness. Incorporating the perspectives of coaches, athletes, parents, physicians, and social scientists, the narrative scrutinizes the role of adults as promoters and coaches and concludes with a discussion of current and needed reforms.

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The Youth Sports Crisis: Out-of-Control Adults, Helpless Kids

The Youth Sports Crisis: Out-of-Control Adults, Helpless Kids

by Steven J. Overman
The Youth Sports Crisis: Out-of-Control Adults, Helpless Kids

The Youth Sports Crisis: Out-of-Control Adults, Helpless Kids

by Steven J. Overman

Hardcover(New Edition)

$65.00 
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Overview

This provocative critique of the youth sports movement examines the various issues surrounding children in sports and provides a plan for reform based on a change in philosophy and practice.

Many American children spend more than 20 hours a week in organized sports, forgoing free time and unstructured recreational activities for the rigors of training and competition. This book offers a comprehensive critique of the youth sports movement, pitting the reality of adult-run sports programs against the needs and interests of children. It examines whether the tradeoff of "normal play time" for structured sports activities teaches discipline and leads to stronger character development, or if the pressures of the game, the physical strain of practicing, and the general overscheduling of children's lives have eroded the benefits associated with playing sports.

Educator and former coach Steven J. Overman contends that youth-based sports programs require a radical change for the well-being of the young participants. The book explores the various problems in organized sports, including stress on the family, physical health hazards, violence, emotional duress, elitism, and hyper-competitiveness. Incorporating the perspectives of coaches, athletes, parents, physicians, and social scientists, the narrative scrutinizes the role of adults as promoters and coaches and concludes with a discussion of current and needed reforms.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781440831386
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 10/14/2014
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 256
Product dimensions: 6.20(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Steven J. Overman, PhD, is a retired professor who spent most of his teaching career at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction to Youth Sports 1

What Motivates Youth Sports Participation? 8

Do Youth Sports Develop Character? 13

2 Youth Sports for Adults 23

The Adult Takeover of Children's Sports 23

The Youth Sports Coach, for Better or Worse 32

The Commercialization of Youth Sports 40

3 The Child Athlete's Family 47

The Youth Sports Family 47

The Sports Parent: Soccer Moms and Dugout Dads 53

Are Youth Sports Overpriced? 61

Youth Sports as College Prep 64

4 The Child Athlete as Miniature Adult 69

The Hurried Child Athlete 69

Toddler Sports 79

The Child Athlete as Specialist 82

The Overscheduled Child Athlete 85

Sports Camps and Academies 90

5 Youth Sports May Be Hazardous to Your Child's Physical Health 93

Unnecessary Roughness: Youth Sports Injuries 93

Violence in Youth Sports 110

Do Youth Sports Promote Unhealthy Eating? 115

Do Youth Sports Promote Fitness? 120

6 Youth Sports May Be Hazardous to Your Child's Emotional Health 127

The Youth Sports Athlete under Stress 127

Youth Sports and the Shaping of Masculinity 132

Youth Sports as Child Abuse 137

Quitters Never Win: Burnouts and Dropouts 147

7 The Toxic Elements in Youth Sports 151

Youth Sports as Drudgery 151

Youth Sports as Child Labor 154

Winning Is Everything: Competition Out of Control 157

Youth Sports as Elitism 167

8 So You Want Your Son to Play Football 175

A Portrait of Youth Football and Its Downside 175

Youth Football Coaches: Amateurs and Abusers 179

Bigger Is Better: Overweight Players 182

No Pain, No Gain: A Plague of Injuries 184

Does Playing Football Promote Bad Behavior? 192

Do You Want Your Son to Play Football? 194

9 Concluding Thoughts: Reform or Re-Form 197

Notes 205

Index 241

What People are Saying About This

Angela Lumpkin


"Overman's clear and well-reasoned arguments expose the underbelly of youth sports. He explicitly describes how children can be harmed and manipulated by overly demanding parents and coaches—and argues for putting the play and fun back into sports."

James E. Holbrook


"During a time when organized youth sport has seen rapid growth, Overman's book reveals the underlying issues that must be addressed to sustain the emotional growth and well-being of our youth."

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