Article by Travis Lazarczyk from October 20, “In youth sports, it’s the adults who need to grow”, touches on some important national issues: lack of common sense and decency and societal hypercompetitiveness (i.e. winning at all costs). I strongly disagree, however, that adults don’t need to “grow up” per se, but should consider limiting or changing their leisure priorities.

Divestment from sports is a good place to start. The amount of public and private money and time invested in sports – sometimes called “the sports-industrial complex” – in this country is absurd, if not insane. Who cares how many medals will be won if our society descends into chaos?

A healthy body and mind are presented as a reason for everything related to sports. However, approximately 40% of Americans are classified as obese. Conversations with my own family, friends, and students have taught me that they know far more about players and teams — even obscure “fantasy leagues” — than they do about current events. Finally, as Mr. Lazarczyck documents, police protection is now required at Falmouth soccer competitions, due to parents threatening the lives of teenagers.

Instead of investing a lot of their time and money in sports, parents should consider investing it in the arts through public schools or private programs. Unlike sports, people can practice the arts their entire lives. Additionally, researchers have well documented the cognitive, social, and cultural benefits of arts participation. And, perhaps most importantly, the arts do not teach winning at all costs, but lifelong learning and the development of a craft.

Steven Byrd
Portland

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