Call for more parental support in sports

The call is louder, more than ever, for more parents to get into the sporting life of their children.{{more}}

This clarion bellowing is being sounded in light of the busy track and field season, which is in full flight.

We must admit that we are living in times when the social erosion is occurring at a rapid rate and that things are seemingly careening in the opposite direction of good.

What takes place at this time of year is hatched during the periods leading up, and is just a manifestation of the lack of hold which parents have on their households.

Parents generally are happy that their children are involved in some sort of sporting activity, and in the main, it stops there.

It is also a fact that many children are forced into sports which hold little interest for them, and hence are not naturally motivated.

This leads to a war with the children’s consciences and acceptance level and ultimately peer pressure.

Also, some tag along with their close friends and associates, with no desire to become competitive.

But with all the permutations advanced, how many parents take the time out to attend a match or meet, in which their children are involved?

How many know who are their child’s/children’s or ward’s/wards’ coaches?

Without any empirical evidence by way of statistics, the column can safely conclude very few have ever interfaced with the person or persons who are charged with imparting that much needed sporting knowledge to those they have direct authority over.

What is also true is that sporting activities are seen as holding bays for the parents and guardians, who are busy making ends meet.

But, several of the stories which are unfolding already since the start of the various schools’ track and field championships, expose the frailty of the homes and the lax approach of some parents and guardians.

Parents, too, simply provide the necessary funding for their children – gear etc, then everything else is left to the children.

Whilst this is one form of support, the other facets are left to chance, thus causing the various incidents which come to light.

This is not to say that there are not parents and guardians who are on the ball when it comes to their charges, here in St Vincent and the Grenadines. But they are in the minority.

It is, therefore, not surprising that research overwhelmingly points to a connection between positive, supportive parental involvement and a child’s level of enjoyment and success in the sport he or she is playing .

Obviously, there are the odd cases, where children are hit with stage fright as it were, whenever their parents are visible at sporting events.

Additionally, some parents often get too involved, thereby infringing on the coaches’ time and authority, which becomes counter-productive to the athletes.

There are many prescribed ways of dealing with the issue of parental involvement in sports and most importantly, its impact.

Whilst the literature may be plentiful, what is needed are practical solutions, as many of the practices recommended often do not fit into the scheme of operations here.

The ultimate solution for us is for parents to, once again, take charge of their dependants, as this is the first school for moral and spiritual teachings.