Pav: Recently, my wife and I were talking about how important we thought sports were in helping us become who we are today. Playing sports, especially team sports, helps you overcome lots of things. Social anxiety, self-esteem, leadership, coordination and just knowing that you can challenge yourself are only a handful of things sports can hep you either hone or overcome. I wish I were more active now and I think all the time how sports would always be a way for me to escape frustrating or otherwise negative situations. Just being outside and getting a little bit dirty can get you over the hump.
What I've noticed recently, though, is a lot of kids aren't active. I know its no secret that tons of kids play video games for hours on end, but having first person experience with two, albeit young, kids of my own and a nephew whom I'm with every day I've noticed a lot of kids could really care less whether they get outside or not. I'm going to digress...
I just watched a video of my dad and his brothers and their friends in 1962! It shows a bunch of kids, ages ranging from probably two to teenagers. They are running outside, trying to mount horses bareback, riding tractors and letting it rip in that primal way you know only exists in those moments when you have the freedom of childhood ahead of you. If you were to interview one of those kids today, not one of them would tell you they'd rather be inside playing board games (my weak attempt at a contemporary alternative to video games). My point is, you discover what you're made of when you're out in nature; getting bloody and bruised and sweating is well worth the effort.
I'm not against video games at all. I think they tap into different parts of us and can help with problem solving, spatial skills and imagination (article). The real difference, to me, is that you're exposed when you're being physical with other people. Your body is vulnerable to injury. Your ego is vulnerable to embarrassment. If you get hurt in a video game, you start over. If you get beat by another player, you don't have to listen to their taunts. You are insulated in a very comfortable world while at your game console. Sports make you uncomfortable and I think everyone should have to go through that to learn what they are capable of. This article backs me up --> get active!
ZBu: We obviously have a lot of things in common (see Class inseparables yearbook picture) and in this case I definitely agree. My absolute favorite thing to do growing up in Baltimore was to go down to the corner store, buy a rubber ball, and throw it off my row home's wall imitating Cal Ripen with my baseball glove. The next big step was waiting for the older guys on the block to invite you to play street hockey or basketball against the other kids in the neighborhood. I know its cliché but I really stayed outside until the street lights started to come on and my mom called me in.
With that being said, I'm going to play devil's advocate here. Is it really that kids aren't active or are they a by-product of unbelievable technological advances and a complete shift in parenting styles? Imagine if your dad and his brothers had the new Xbox complete with 5 to 10 games and multiple controllers. Is it possible they would be more tempted to stay inside playing these games with incredible graphics while still messing with each other and learning some humility? Is it also possible that your dad and his brothers could play Xbox all day long because their parents allowed this to happen, don't have horses, and feel their kids are safer inside then out? I think so.
As you pointed out, video games definitely serve a purpose with kids and can help them grow in many different ways. There is also absolutely something to be said about getting outside, playing sports and discovering yourself like kids have been doing for centuries. Ultimately, I think it comes down to the impossible task of parenting in an age more advanced than any other. Even if you limit your own child's video game playing, he or she can still go over to friend's house and spend more time inside. I think we just have to continue to show them the benefits of both and understand kids are inherently active. If we show them the benefits of sports and are enthusiastic about them, they'll come around.
PAV: I think you really hit home with the "impossible task of parenting..." in the times we are in. My wife and I second guess all the time if we are making the right decisions about what our 5 year-old does and is exposed to. I know I can be overbearing with my expectations and I actively curb that when I can. I think the goal should be to figure out what your kid responds to naturally. My son plays tee ball 2-3 times a week, has Tae Kwon Do lessons twice a week, and LEGO class once a week. He is allowed to play video games (tablet only) on weekends. That's a lot of stimulation for a little kid, but I know he responds positively to all of it. He gets tired during the week, but I enjoy the fact that his busy little brain and uncoordinated little body get a good workout. You'll soon learn about this, future dad...
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