Growing up, an integral aspect of my childhood was organized sports. Ever since I can remember, I have been involved in some type of sports team, whether it be the junior varsity and varsity high school soccer teams, the various hockey teams I was involved with until 9th grade, or the MSI soccer team I grew up playing for until the team disbanded my Junior year. I always seemed to be associated with some athletic organization, even through college. Along the way, I also partook in nearly every sport possible, from football to baseball to lacrosse, and even foursquare or water polo at summer camp; I was constantly active, no matter the season.
Throughout my childhood, I was able to not only stay healthy and fit, but I developed and grew strong bonds with kids my own age, many of whom I went to school with and some of which I still keep in close contact. Additionally, I was constantly happy, as I would spend my afternoons and weekends running around and playing with many of my close friends, each of us working together and sharing our passions with one another.
Some of the major issues facing many developed nations today, especially the US, include obesity and poor health, absence of strong communities, and a lack of happiness. In order to help fight each of these problems, one solution is to encourage kids at a young age to become involved with sports teams.
By joining baseball, football, or basketball teams, for instance, kids are able to constantly run around and play with other children, many of the same age, for a set period of time on a daily to weekly basis. By doing so, kids are able to get into a routine of exercising, which they would hopefully continue to maintain as they grow up. Additionally, as obesity rates continue to rise, exercising constantly, even if for only an hour or two, can help alleviate some health issues currently facing kids. At the same time, by learning about the importance of being healthy and staying fit, and the work that goes into staying in shape, kids can also begin looking at what to eat in order to best treat their bodies. While there are different organizations working on getting kids active, such as the Play60 movement or the Let’s Move! campaign, sports teams have the same effect, and at the same time helps kids grow strong bonds with other children along the way.
As societies become more technologically focused, many people are losing touch of each other in order to communicate with those farther away. For instance, I’ve witnessed student’s walk in to the same classroom and immediately go on Facebook to talk to their friends in separate rooms. As a result, many communities are distancing themselves from each other, while focusing more on social media. However, sports teams are able to bring families and friends together on a weekly basis. Through practices and games, kids are able to spend quality time with one another, sharing thoughts and stories along the way, as they work together to reach the same goal. Along the way, many kids develop close friendships, as I have experienced by growing up and playing soccer with the same group of friends for over 10 years. It also forces people to get away from technology and instead spend time outdoors or in a communal area, which can lead to better health, as every person outdoors is able to breath fresh air in a relaxing environment, rather than sitting in a contained area filled with stale air. Parents and strangers too are able to create close bonds with one another as they gather to watch their children compete. Through these weekly gatherings, parents begin to mingle with one another, sometimes forming networks in which they share jokes, create schedules to bring snacks to games, or set up group meals for kids during the season.
In the movie “Happy”, which we watched the other day for class, one of the main ideas is that those who are consistently active in some type of athletics are constantly happier than those who aren’t. This is because each active person is partaking in a fluid weekly schedule, allowing him or her to be less stressed. By joining a sports team and running around every week, kids are able to maintain higher levels of happiness, which can lead to better success in academics and work. With the U.S. being one of the most depressed nations in the world, organized sports teams can help children curve rates of depression, resulting in happier lives down the road, whether it be through a daily and active routine, healthier lifestyles, or close relationships with other children.
Sam Wallace