Monday, March 14, 2011

Do Sports Teach Values?

One thing that was taught to us in my American Sport in the 21st Century class was that sports teach people values.  We were taught that sport builds character, leadership skills, patience, helps with working on a team, builds integrity, honesty, responsibility, and maturity.  Also, it is a fact that competition is everywhere.  Sports are competition. Therefore, playing sports help people learn how to compete and want to be the best they can be.  Sports also promote health and fitness. Playing sports is a fun, easy way to get exercise and stay fit. 

I personally agree with the thought that playing sports teaches a person a lot of values and builds character.  I played competitive sports all of my life and I think that there are many valuable things that I have learned by playing sport that I would not have learned if i had not.  First of all, I learned how to compete at a very young age.  My dad and grandfather would never let me win at any sport when I was little.  They told me I would never be good if they just let me win.  So I worked hard and practiced and when I finally beat them, it was that much more satisfying.  Also, I learned how to handle loss.  I have seen many people freak out over losing and it is embarrassing.  If you are going to lose, do so with class.  Those are just a few of the many values that playing sports has taught me.

I also found an article online that also supports the notion that sports help teach people many important things in life.  The website is http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Sports-Can-Teach-You&id=1577257. After I read this article, it only further proved to me that sports help teach many valuable traits to people that they will use for the rest of their lives.

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