Children Should Not Play Contact Sports- by Gabriel Kalb

According to the Wall Street Journal, in 2013 about 1.24 million children suffered contact sport related injuries severe enough to be sent to the ER. This fact demonstrates the dangers of children playing contact sports, statistically revealing the serious harm it can inflict upon them. Children should not participate in contact sports because they can cause serious damage to their bodies and brains. 

            Children should not play contact sports because it can cause severe damage to their brains. Some results of brain damage are memory loss and concussions. (A concussion is a serious brain injury usually caused by a hard hit to the head.) An example of why children are at risk of brain damage, more than adults is the lack of myelin, a protein that helps protect the brain. Children have less myelin, resulting in more brain injuries. According to Robert Cantu, concussion expert/ brain surgeon; “Kids have larger heads and weaker torsos, so if they fall they are much more likely to have their head snap backward and hit the ground.” This demonstrates how children are more susceptible to injuries. The chance of a child getting injured is more likely because their bodies are not fully developed.   To further underscore Dr. Cantu’s position on children’s susceptibility to injuries in contact sports, Time For Kids Debate states; “ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 3.8 million concussions happen each year in sports and recreational activities.” The consequences of many kids involving themselves in contact sports are the many unfortunate children who have sustained contact sports related concussions. Brain damage is one of the many hazards contact sports bring upon kids and teens. In all, kids should not play contact sports because it can cause severe harm to their brains.

           

            Another reason kids should not play contact sports is because it can cause serious damage to their bodies.  The CDC (Center for Disease Control) suggests that there has been an increase in children playing sports; nearly 30 million kids are currently involved in youth sports. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in injury as well.   As reported by NBC news, “as many as 1 kid every 25 seconds is sent to the emergency room for a contact sport related injury.” This is a stunning fact but not at all surprising, given the rise in the amount of children participating in sports. This demonstrates the nature and extent of children involved in contact sports related bodily injures.  The increase in children’s injures can also be attributed to the lack of proper safety equipment provided to children.  Most children do not have all the necessary safeguards/ protections, in contrast to older players. According to Time for Kids Debate, “Youngsters tend to have the worst equipment, least experienced coaches and no medical person at the scene.” This shows the differences between older players, who have proper protection, and younger players, who do not. This further demonstrates the higher risk of children getting injured, playing contact sports. Thusly, kids should not play contact sports because it can cause severe harm to their bodies.

Some may claim contact sports can boost self -esteem. According to the Huffington Post, pushing yourself to somewhere you never thought you could go is a self-esteem boost. “The process of pushing yourself to a place you didn't think you could go, and then all of sudden you are there, at the spot where your family and friends greet your sweaty self. And that sensation of triumph, the athletic high after an event, drives you toward others.”  This shows a self -esteem boost coming from victory/satisfaction. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, these sports can make you feel unworthy and unhappy. “The effects of immaturity on sports participation are more obvious. When the demands of a sport exceed a child's cognitive and physical development, the child may develop feelings of failure and frustration.” This demonstrates that the infatuation with contact sports is conditioned on winning. When you lose or don’t do well, you are no longer happy, but stressed.  Thus, contact sports do not boost your self-esteem.

In conclusion, children shouldn’t play contact sports because playing them can cause harm physically and emotionally. These sports can be stressful and demoralizing. In all, children should avoid contact sports if they care about their well being.