Too Much, Too Young? The Cost of Being a Child Elite Athlete
Friend: Hey, do you want to hang out and do our project together to get it over with?
Athlete-no I have practice.
Friend-you always do. When are you going to be free to do the project? You know it’s due soon
Athlete-I promise later…
Photo credit to the Women’s Sports Foundation
A child elite athlete is someone who is a really high-level athlete with lots of time and effort put into their sport. Elite athletes sometimes spend what is considered excessive time training. This article will explore the pros and cons of being a child elite athlete and whether the sacrifices are actually worth it.
School?
An elite athlete has lots on their plate, they have some of the most insane schedules that lead to being put under pressure from their school to keep up. School is what everyone thinks children put first. Training for as many hours as most of these athletes do means they leave school early or skip full days of school. A study found 82% of student-athletes feel they are under pressure at some point. With all that work, on average, only 23% of child elite athletes continue their sport when they are 18 or older. Athletes with a supportive school often succeed way more because they feel they can lean on their teachers and peers for any extra help. Also, elite athletes usually have good discipline due to listening a lot to instructions and feedback given by coaches. Discipline is one of the key components of being a good student. Which can translate to a student being able to understand a topic
Do you feel the pressure?
Having so much talent always puts you in the spotlight. Many kids feel pressured not to take a break because of “coaches getting mad” or “parents getting mad.” Over time, the kid’s body starts to break down, and an injury is due to happen. Having talent at a young age usually forces the child to adopt a rigorous physical and mental schedule. But do some kids like the pressure? It’s complex due to every kid being different, but pressure is the main way of getting depression. Time management is the number one way to manage this lifestyle. Many kids who participate in high-level sports learn the importance of how to spend their time, which can lead to success in some cases.
No Time to Hang Out
Teammates are who you see every day as an athlete. You drive, train, compete, win, and lose together. Most of the time, athletes have no time to hang out with school friends, which can lead to having no identity other than their sport. Jealousy can happen when elite athletes are often the center of attention in most classes. Having such a hard-working life could also mean being able to manage time for more meaningful friendships. Elite athletes can use social media to stay connected with current friends. It all depends on the child.
What About the Family?
One of the biggest things to think about when being a child athlete is the family. Many families sacrifice so much for sports. Parents’ schedules are packed with busy and exhausting days. These schedules lead to insufficient time for family dinners, vacations, or even just a relaxing day off. More than just draining your energy, sports drain your bank account. The cost of uniforms, equipment, hotels, and coaching can cause stress, especially if there is more than one kid. Competitive sports can be hard to navigate; it can be stressful for parents to feel that they are making the right decisions. However, in contrast, competitive sports could also bring a sense of family time, unity, or accomplishment. Many families get to travel and experience things they would have never done without sports. Passionate parents are the best thing for the athlete, as it fuels them to do well.
The Making of a Star: Tiger Woods
A great example of an elite child athlete is Tiger Woods. At the age of 2, he was introduced to golf by his father, Earl. Even at three years old, he appeared on “The Mike Douglas Show,” impressing everyone with his talent of being so accurate with the golf clubs. He described his whole childhood as “a structured routine.” Even though he worked tirelessly on the course, his family was always there to balance out his busy lifestyle. Now, most people know Tiger as the best male golfer ever. This example shows that balance is important for success.
Is It Worth It?
Child elite athletes have many opportunities, which also require a lot of dedication. For some, it teaches many lifelong morals and the ability to prioritize while creating unforgettable memories. For some, like Tiger Woods, this early dedication leads to greatness and a reputable future.
But on the other hand, children say that they miss out on being a child and never get time to recover. So much pressure can often lead to a tipping point, which can destroy their chances of ever loving sports again.
In the end, it depends on countless factors. Their family is well-balanced and has a true passion for something. The accomplishments can be amazing, but the real question is, how far should a child have to go to chase a dream? And at what point does passion become pressure?