The negative effects on children whose parents push them in sports - Term Paper Example

397). However, a child’s perception of parental support can greatly influence how or if the child obtains the benefits associated with sport (Lerner, Lerner and Finkelstein 2001, 706). Observable negative effects of parental pressure on children in sport include low self-esteem, increase fear of failing, an increase in physical complaints/illness/injury, feeling inadequate, feeling guilty, anxious and general discontent with sport participation (Lerner, Lerner and Finkelstein 2001, 706). In order to demonstrate the negative effects of parental pressure on children’s participation in sport an exploration and analysis of the literature on the importance of parental pressure and support in the child’s sport participation is conducted.

A survey was distributed among 6th grade students at a local elementary school and their parents to compare their different perspectives on sports. The findings in both the literature review and the empirical research study are discussed with general suggestions for parents relative to how they approach parenting in terms of supporting their children’s participation in sports. This research study examines the negative effects of parents pushing their children’s participation in sport. As a lead into this study, it is important to underline the different perspectives parents and children have of sport participation.

Studies suggest that children engage in sport for a variety of reasons. For some studies children sport participation is aligned with acceptance by peers (Horn 2008, 279). Other studies suggest that children engage in sport activities for the sheer excitement of winning and competing or to simply improve their social and physical skills (Grolnick 2003, 135). For younger children sport is merely a method for playing and having fun (Laker 2000, 29). Inevitably, studies agree for the most part that how