Rethinking Purpose Within Youth Sports

Abstract

Youth sports today are often misemployed and too frequently fall short of the vast potential athletics provide for positive youth development. The youth sports environment today is largely influenced by participation in club sports and early sports specialization, which are both surrounded by a myriad of research concerning their negative effects on youth. This study aims to gain perspective on the commonly held assumption that participation in youth athletics automatically leads to character development. To do so, this study utilized an online survey to gather both quantitative and qualitative data regarding perceptions and experiences of individuals with first-hand experience within the youth sports environment, including youth athletes, parents, and coaches. The goal of this study is to provide practical recommendations for youth sports organizations and coaches to implement into their programs in order to intentionally foster positive youth character development.