Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to determine and identify the many benefits that can be earned through participation in youth sports. Many parents and guardians enroll their children in youth sports programs as a way to introduce them to new hobbies and activities to pass the time in their youthful years, but there are many added benefits other than simply enjoying sports as a pastime. Youth sports can provide opportunities for children to better themselves in many different avenues of life, including socially, physically and mentally, and allow them to find their role in society at an early age. Beginning with the statistics of how popular youth sports are in America, the benefits that come from youth sports are discussed using multiple sources to credit these claims. The topics that are discussed throughout this paper are social development, life skills, physical and mental health, the Special Olympics, racial inclusion and opportunity, and team vs. individual sports. These are followed by a section containing counter arguments to all claims made prior, as well as discussion leading to debate. Youth sports provide opportunities for children of all ages to better themselves physically, mentally, as well as helping them to understand valuable life lessons along the way.

Year Manuscript Completed

Spring 2022

Senior Project Advisor

Nate Chambers

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Applied Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

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