Alex Bourdeau
High
School Sports
High School sports have been an integral part of the
American schooling experience since the early 20th century. There are many arguments supporting sports in
schools. The arguments supporting sports
in schools include keeping kids out of trouble, better time management, and
learning essential skills like teamwork and fair play. I disagree with Amanda Ripley and her arguments
of lack of funding, little results for students not playing sports, and sports not
drawing kids to school and believe that sports keep kids out of trouble, allow
for the cultivation of the skill of time management and allow students social
skills like team work and communication to blossom.
One major argument for sports in schools is keeping
children out of trouble. If these
students participate in sports and form good relationships with teachers/
coaches they may be more likely to stay out of trouble and want to do well in
school because they feel like they are part of something. Sports, especially at the high school and
college level tend to be quite vigorous so students may not have the time or
energy to find and engage in trouble.
Through sporting events a student body is able to come together and act
as a single unit. This builds a sense of
togetherness and unity among the students which can lead to a better overall
high school experience in and out of the classroom. When students feel closer and united like
they are part of something they will be more apt to show up, participate and
try harder at school. Some students may
not want to show up to school without the incentive of sports to keep them
interested. How important are advanced
classes and high test scores if a student does not show up to school in the
first place? Sports help to build
attendance and make students more likely to show up. Another
major issue in America today that sports help to tackle is obesity. Playing sports helps combat obesity, but even
students who don’t take place in official school sports can stay healthy
through intermural sports. Kids may join
sports to spend more time with friends.
This will get more kids active and outside and if they fall in love with
the sport they may spend their free time outside instead of on the couch in
front of a screen. America is trying to
tackle obesity by limiting what food schools provide for children, but if we
eliminate sports then healthy eating alone with not eliminate obesity. Some schools are already eliminating recess
to keep kids in the classrooms, so sports are the major outlet of physical
activity for students. Whether with
physical health or attending school, sports in high school help to keep
students on track.
The wise use of time is essential in school, but more
importantly in life. Through sports
students are able to learn how to balance their time wisely. Eliminating sports in hope that time spent studying
will increase is not solving a problem; it is running from a problem. One of the most important skills a student
can learn is how to use time wisely. By
balancing sports, schoolwork, and a social life a student can learn this essential
life skill. By eliminating sports to try
and improve a student’s study habits we may inhibit their ability to learn this
all important skill. Even if students
are given more time by eliminating sports who’s to say they will use it to
study? Cutting sports doesn’t guarantee
anymore time will actually be spent studying; it could be spent getting into
trouble. When a student gets into the
real world they will need to know how to balance a job, family, and a social
life. School is not only about the
highest math scores and Advanced Placement tests; it’s about preparing students
for life. Memorizing United States
history facts can be important, but won’t help a student cultivate and sustain
a good marriage. Calculus is important,
but will not necessarily help your get your dream career. The most important skill that sports coupled
with school can teach is time management.
Without time management being able to raddle of facts and dates will not
guarantee you a job. For me personally
when I have a lot on my plate I am more adept at using my time. During football season this year I had much
less time to study, but had the same or better grades. That is because when I have more time I tend
to procrastinate more than when I know I am on a tight schedule. With tight schedules and the juggling students
are forced to do with social lives, sports, and school stress is a common
issue. It could be through swimming laps
in the school pool, or rehearsing a cheer routine that students are able to
relieve some stress and sustain their mental health. Stress can be dangerous and without proper
relief can have devastating circumstances.
The outlet of sports for students to relieve stress is healthy and much
needed in our competitive world today. Sports are a freedom and escape from day
to day life and stress. Sports force students to balance their time more wisely
and try to excel in multiple areas.
Words like teamwork, fair play and communication come to
mind when thinking of sports. For me,
sports were a great way to make friends before school actually started. By making friends before school I was able to
acclimate to high school much quicker and hit the ground running. Without early social setbacks I could focus a
little better on school and sports.
Social acclimation can be very hard for some people and having the
avenue of sports for meeting people and making friends can help any student
transition into the sometimes scary high school experience. This is important because in our world today
where the job market has become more scarce and competitive every advantage is
needed. Many jobs require teamwork and
communication to succeed. Good team
players have an edge up due to the skills and teamwork needed in today’s world. These skills can be developed at a young age
through sports. Whether through football
where eleven work as one or basketball where that extra pass can lead to success
good team work and communication are essential.
Even if keeping sports in schools requires more fundraising or parents
to chip in they should be kept around.
The important life skills of teamwork, Fair play, and communication can
be built through sports. Again AP
classes and high test scores are important, but without being able to
communicate and work well with others the information is not nearly as
fruitful.
I believe that sports should stay in school because they
help keep students out of trouble, teach students time management, and increase
students skills in areas like communication, team work, and fair play. Test scores and hard classes are important
but without the skills utilized and learned through sports students will not
achieve in life. Teamwork,
communication, and time management are essential for success in life and in the
job market. How important are advanced classes
and test scores if are students don’t have the social skills necessary to
operate in everyday life? Sports are
good for students’ mental and physical health as well as their careers and
belong in schools now and for ever.
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