The following was published in Dr. Joyce Brothers’ column in the November 15, 2000 edition of the Los Angeles Times:

America is a sports-minded country, and a great deal of a school’s budget is often set aside for athletics. How much do you know about this subject?

True or False:

1.Athletic activities are the best way for schools to build character in their students.

2.Teenage athletes are less likely to drink alcohol than other students are.

3.Teenagers who take part in team sports are more likely to have sex than other students their age.

4.Even though some children don’t enjoy playing athletic games, they should be forced to play because they learn from them.

5.Parents who attend and coach teen athletic games always have a positive effect on their own children who are playing or attending the games.

6.Children in sports should be taught that, like professional athletes, they should be able to play through pain and not complain.

7.Parents should teach young athletes that school games and team sports are a way for them to prove their worth.

8.Girls have less to gain than boys do from participation in sports.

Answers:

1.FALSE: While there’s a certain amount of exercise and team play, too much emphasis on winning and on sports in general can limit growth.

2.FALSE: A recent survey of more than 14,000 teens found that those who took part in team sports were less likely to smoke and use drugs other than alcohol, but were just as likely to drink as teenagers who didn’t play sports.

3.FALSE: According to the same study, which was reported in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, teens who played team sports were less likely to have sex, carry weapons, and have unhealthy eating habits.

4.FALSE: Children should be encouraged to exercise or participate in games, but should never be forced to do either. If a youngster isn’t interested in sports, parents should help the child find other ways to build self-esteem, perhaps in science or the arts.

5.FALSE: Parents who get overly involved because of their own ego or expectations can do harm by creating pressure, especially if they themselves demonstrate bad sportsmanship.

6.FALSE: Children should be taught that protecting their health is more important than any game, and if they’re hurt, they should stop and not be ashamed to do so.

7.FALSE: Performance in a sport doesn’t measure a child’s worth or value as a human being.

8.FALSE: Girls have much to gain from sports, such as experience working with a team and learning how to be assertive and aggressive when necessary. Also, research shows that playing sports improves girls’ success in science.

– LA Times