Every year, parents and educators debate the pros and cons of school sports. Proponents say school sports provide an outlet for students to grow and develop physically, mentally and emotionally. But potential dangers -- such as long-term injuries and the use of performance enhancing drugs -- can arise without proper guidance and balance of athletics and academics.
Personal Development
Sports can help student athletes learn skills that can help them become successful on and off the playing field. According to "The Benefits of Youth Sports" by Metzl and Shookhoff, athletes learn to sacrifice immediate gratification for long-term gain. Competitive athletics helps students become more responsible, self-motivated and disciplined. Skills -- such as resilience, attitude control and time management -- are also learned and developed.
Physical Fitness
Typically, students who participate in school sports lead healthier, more active lifestyles. Many students are exposed to avenues of entertainment -- TV, video games, movies and other forms of media -- that possibly encourage laziness and can result in obesity. Additionally, the chemical makeup and hormones of teenagers are constantly in flux. Exercise and kinesthetic activities assist the body's production of endorphins and adrenaline. These chemicals help increase mood stability and positive feelings of happiness.
College Preparation
School sports can help students when they apply to go to college. Many colleges and universities review an applicant's full transcript. This includes grades, courses, test scores and extracurricular activities such as athletics. Participation in school sports shows the student has the ability to manage academics with other responsibilities. The chance of admission into college might also be enhanced through athletics. Many schools offer athletic scholarships to students with significant athletic skills and abilities.
Potential Cons
There are also potential cons associated with school sports. Sports can sometimes take precedence over academics. For example, exceptional student-athletes sometimes focus primarily on athletics. This can be detrimental to learning and academics. Competing in school sports can also put unnecessary pressure on students to win and be the best. Performing poorly in games or matches might negatively impact a student's self-esteem. Athletes looking for an edge over the competition might also fall prey to performance enhancing drugs or steroids. There is also the possibility of long-term injuries. Joints, ligaments and muscles continue to grow throughout high school. Overuse during growth spurts can cause problems in joints and tendons such as arthritis.
