Competition, ethics, and coaching youth

Although organized youth sports in the United States date back to the nineteenth century, it was in the last fifty years or so that the experience became prevalent in the life of youths and their families. ¹ One indication that youth sport has become a significant phenomenon in society is the widespread use since the 1990s of the term “soccer mom,” which designates those mothers who coordinate the sport schedules of their children. One study indicates that in the year 2000, the number of youths “who played on at least one organized sport team was found to be 54% of kids ages 6 and 17.” ² A 2005 study shows that “among a slightly older age group of 10- to 17-year-olds, participation had jumped to 59%.” ³ According to Ronald B. Woods, “Participation in youth sport [is] at an all-time high.” ⁴Along these lines, Christina Theokas reported in 2009 that “frequency of engagement in sports is extremely high for children and youth” and that “for the 19th consecutive year (2007-2008), the number of students participating in high school athletics increased.” ⁵ Participation in youth sports is so extensive in the United States that Mark Hyman believes the country is obsessed with it. ⁶.