Should you Allow your Child to Try Extreme Sports?
Parents often hear their kids say that they are interested in trying sports like basketball, baseball, soccer, karate and many more that are available to kids. Parents already should have figured out that being active at a young age helps kids develop physically and emotionally. Of course, they are going to get a few scratches, bruises and maybe even a broken bone but that’s the risk parents take. Kids can skate and bike and suffer a broken bone or even slip on the ice so why be overprotective about sports? It’s important to teach your child to be cautious but face it, accidents do happen.
The main issue is homework comes first because kids tend to put sports first while they would rather be outside riding their racing bikes, swimming, rock climbing and depending on your geographical location, surfing, and skateboarding. Kids might think this is funny because they watch extreme sports on TV and think it’s cool. Some experts say that parents should take their kid’s interest in extreme sports seriously and let them try it. Extreme sports for kids have become very popular, although the safety issues might be questionable according to U.S. standards of child safety. Parents worry that their kids might suffer lifelong injuries but then again specialists are saying parents are just being overprotective and could actually ruin the chances for their kids becoming professional athletes.
Benefits of starting at an early age
Kids are interested in extreme sports because they feel this gives them more freedom. Some of the more popular sports like basketball and soccer are incorporated into school curriculums and are regulated and controlled. This might be the only choice the kids have in their school for sports so they end up playing soccer and basketball. Boys seem to be pressured to sign up for soccer and girls are pressured to join volleyball or gymnastics. This doesn’t give kids too many choices to express themselves or have much freedom to do what they want. Kids end up being put on teams with kids they don’t necessarily get along with and end up being highly competitive. Some kids are naturals for these types of sports and actually do very well if they are interested in the sport. All kids are different and some don’t like the rules because they feel restricted and can’t express themselves the way they want. Many of these kids end up losing interest in these sports because there are not many choices so they feel left out and sit at home.
This might be prevented if parents would talk to professionals about the benefits of extreme sports. The professionals know that rock climbing, rowing and skiing are good ways of building strength and endurance. This also can be done as a family together with their kids. Extreme sports can relieve stress, increase brain power and promote discipline. Children also are able to gain more self-esteem along with confidence because they are being an individual by choosing a sport they enjoy. Studies have also concluded that kids are less likely to become high school dropouts if they are involved in extreme sports. In addition, they also are aware of the importance of taking care of their physical bodies so they are at a lower risk for substance abuse.
Studies have shown that when parents have become too overprotective, kids became thrill seekers because they were not allowed to express their identities when they were younger. When kids became involved in substance abuse there is a certain thrill of using because it’s taboo. Many rehab centers are suggesting that these kids try something like extreme sports for that same thrill and this helps kids to be able to find their identity. Kids that were into substances tried it and after a few months, these kids had fewer drug interactions, stayed in school and actually became more sociable and changed their personalities. They actually were happier kids.
Safety
One of the main reasons parents are hesitant about extreme sports for their children is because of safety issues. Kids are fearless and parents are not as they become older and mature. Parents just have to realize that injuries can happen at any time and without sports involved. Kids do get injured in extreme sports but it’s not really any more dangerous than soccer and other school sports like football. Extreme sports should be practiced in a regulated environment and under the supervision of trained professionals. The chances of becoming seriously injured are no different than other sports. In extreme sports, these games can be actually safer because the gear is protective according to the regulations of the extreme sport. Rock climbing has kids wearing a harness and there is a mat under the child. This appears to be safer than getting habit in the head with a soccer ball that is flying at an extreme speed. Parents have to realize that injuries are part of all sports and as long as the sports their child is interested in is regulated and under close watch by professionals, the chances of an injury are slim to none.
Precautions
Kids should always be ready to take precautions and you as parents need to talk to your children about this. Kids are always going to be curious and fearless and might not understand the risks of what they are getting into with extreme sports. Listen to the instructors because they will inform the child that if they don’t take risks seriously, the sport can become very dangerous.
Make sure you buy good equipment that fits your child and this includes, helmets, knee pads, and eye protection for kids involved in extreme sports. You might also have to purchase a kayak, a good dirt bike or a surfboard depending on the extreme sport. Make sure the height is right for your child.
Make sure your kids only participate in extreme sports under the training of a skilled professional. You might decide on a private coach but make sure he is a trained professional. Don’t allow your children to try any extreme sport without trained supervision, because then the risk of injury is much higher.
