What Behavior Do Sports Promote?

[Aztec Triogal]

I couldn't decide whether this should go here or in the debate thread. I really want this to be a bit of a passionate discussion... but I figured it might not turn out like that. If it does, someone can move it.

There are a lot of reports out there that people involved in sports learn good social skills like teamwork, humility, etc. However, we see in professional sports all the time, players who are constantly breaking laws and bending rules to support their egos, drug habits, and whatnot. People also tend to stereotype "jocks" as jerks, womanizers, etc.

Do you think sports encourage good behavior? Maybe a few bad eggs ruin the general reputation? Do you think all players get big heads to a varying degree? Or do you think people's behavior develop outside the athletic arena completely?

 

[Estella Vanilla]

Well honesty I think this is a great topic to bring up.

Sports can be both positive in negative. It can teach young children how to work together to achieve a goal. It can also teach children how to accept losing in a positive way.

However, it's not all about the children. Coaches sometimes set bad examples by becoming too competitive and singling kids out that are "stars" and kids that are "butterfingers." A good coach can encourage all children to try their best, work together, develop healthy behaviors, be good winners (and losers) and have fun.

More importantly, are fans. Parents watch sports and become MONSTROUS. Sometimes children feel they have to participate in a sport to gain the acceptance of a parent. Or on the flip side, parents can be nurturing and support their child.

Don't even get me started about older kids. They can break their leg and then before it completely sets go out and ruin their leg. Just because they've been taught to be competitive (which is nature vs nurture, I know it's controversial but that isn't the point).

Then there are professional athletes that set bad examples for children and do drugs that enhance their performance. There are also good athletes out there that work hard and encourage young kids.

x3 It can be a wonderful and terrible experience.

 

[CassinoChips]

As somebody who is highly involved in high school athletics, I can tell you that in my experience, a person brings their personality into the sport. If you're a douche off the field, you're probably going to be a douche on the field. And if you're a decent person in general off the field, you're usually a decent person on the field. On top of that, I know of more cases where an athlete is a "better" person when they're on the field than they are away from sports, as opposed to the other way around.

As far as the reputation aspect, I agree that there are a lot of negative images portrayed by athletes in the media, what with steroids, illegal activity, etc. And I don't in any way condone that activity, because these athletes are role models whether they like it or not. But I think that you have to keep in mind the sensationalistic nature of sports media. The media wants shock value to draw in viewers/readers. They don't care that just about every professional athlete works with or runs a charity of some form or other. There is so much good that goes under the radar because it isn't "a story" or newsworthy. But if an athlete sneezes in the wrong direction, it's immediately all over ESPN, sports talk, the internet, etc. etc. etc. and discussed and dissected ad nauseum. Whether that's right or wrong, it is what it is, but in my opinion, it skews the general reputation of professional/college athletes.