All kids like to have some fun. Didn’t you have fun? How would you feel if this all was taken away from you? Competitive sports are an amazing way to have a blast if you take it the right way. Kids can learn many things from sports, like social interactions, physical health, mental stability, and simply learning life lessons. On the other hand, there are some ways sports can be hard for kids like life long injuries, pressure, and they have difficulty focusing on anything except for their sport. Kids should play competitive sports for their enjoyment but it shouldn’t get to a point where they are unhappy playing. Some may think kids playing sports is bad for their health because of injuries, and it is time-consuming. However, competitive sports are great for kids, but it can lead you down the wrong path as some say.

First and most importantly, competitive sports have a positive effect on physical and social health. For instance, according to “The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today’s Sports Climate” by Kirk Mango, says “Helps with social skills/health because you build on your cooperation, friendship, and teamwork”. Playing sports clearly helps with making lifelong lasting memories and friendships. To add on, the BATC website (Kirk Mango), says [it is important for kids to have exercise]... “In a society where obesity has become a major health issue the physical fitness advantages simply cannot be denied.” Some may say that these aggressive sports cause harmful injuries, which is true; however, if you keep up with your physical health, you are less likely to get hurt. Therefore, kids should play competitive sports because it keeps them healthy and happy.

Also, parents always want their kids to succeed and do their best right? Expenses can’t always go to wants, depending on different families financial state; they have to go to needs like putting food on the dinner table. For example, in the HuffPost, it says “parents spend $671 on average per year to cover the costs of uniforms and the hefty fees charged for registration”. That is a lot of money that could be useful to something a family needs. In the article “High Cost Of Competitive Sports”, it says “...no longer a good opportunity for social involvement”. Kids start to feel left out when all of their friends can play and they can’t afford the lessons and equipment. It feels essential for kids to fit in and money causes a slump. This then causes it to feel like a money competition.  This is why kids can be unhappy while playing because they don’t “fit in”.

The last reason why competitive sports are favorable is that it builds on life lessons that all kids need to know.  In the article “What are the benefits of competitive sports for youth?” by Sarah Davis says “Participating in sports teaches children and teenagers how to compete in the real world”. Teamwork and more motor skills are taught through sports and we don’t even realize most of the time. For instance, the article also talks about how sports help kids become competitive in a friendly way, improve self-esteem, and even learn lessons when you don’t win. Knowing these components are extremely important and when parents hold back their kid from this, they are missing out. As you can see everyone should have the same opportunity for these fun and time-worthy sports.

There are still those who claim that competitive sports are the worst option a kid can have. They think kids focus too much on it, cause serious injuries, and too much pressure. In an NBC News article, it states “Young bodies need to be challenged in different ways”. This indicates that children should be participating in academic activities other than sports that can harm them. However, even though there are some harms, they can be fixed if the kid is having a good time. Then everyone is happy including parents. An article on sports rec.com  says “youth sports can help deter negative behavior, such as joining a gang, because competitive sports provide an outlet for expression, friendship and controlled aggression.” Even if sports can be imperfect in some ways, it prevents kids from doing bad things to themselves as I stated before. Kids should play competitive sports but put a limit on safety features, rules, and how much they play because whatever makes them happy, makes everyone happy.

Clearly, competitive sports are good for kids in some ways but not so great in others. Even though sports aren’t for every kid, for the ones who treasure it, big accomplishments will show. These sports are good for social and physical health, not so great for parents that get low income, and competitive sports teach life long lessons kids need to know. Others think this competition puts way too much pressure and stress on young adults that isn’t necessary. Kids can start to focus too much on sports and not their grades and work in school. Overall, competitive sports is a good option for kids, unless they are not enjoying it. Now, when you try to take sports away from your child’s life, think about the effects, and make your kid content!!