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In “Children need to play not to competeâ€, Jessica Statsky criticizes competition among children as they engage in sport activities like baseball. Competition has detrimental effects on children; causes both physical and psychological harm to the children (Axelrod & Cooper, 2010) especially to children aged between age of 6 and 12. In addition parents and coaches tend to consider their own desires, ignoring the childâ€s desires.

Jessica highlights that certain sports, such as tackle foot ball, are too dangerous for the children as they are not physically mature to play it. The writer criticizes that the game besides posing a physical threat, she adds on to say that children tend not to enjoy the game as they are afraid of getting hurt.

Pressure applied by parents and coaches, the expectation to win, tends to make games more of a routine instead of it being a fun activity. Another psychological effect is children withdraw from a game when they are defeated or if seen not suitable to participate hence leading to loss of great potentials (Axelrod & Cooper, 2005). She advocates that sports should emphasize on fitness and cooperation not winning.

Response:

I agree with what Jessica tries to point out in her work, children should be given the chance to be children and enjoy themselves while they have the chance to. For example, when a child has the chance to join a game with his or her friends and play together without having the mentality that they have to outdo the other, they tend to concentrate more on the fun than on trying to win. This builds a healthy relationship among the children, because if they play to win, discrimination and segregation into groups among the children which is not healthy for children relationships (Desai, 2010).

Some of the games played need great physical effort from the child which is not healthy for the children. When pressure comes from having to win and from parents and coaches expectations, the child is overwhelmed by the need to impress; in addition to the physical demand of the game for example tackle football, the child becomes physically and psychologically disoriented and damaged. Children need to be given the chance to live their own lives and have fun while playing without being pressurized to do things this way and that way. This helps to give the child a chance to learn how to make their own decisions and determine what is good with them and what is not; independence.

Take the example of a game where the winning team gets a trip to go to National Park. Unlike how adults would view defeat, most children view it as rejection when they do not get the chance to make it to the trip. This builds low self esteem among the children and may create a feeling of low self confidence; this creates a veil which prevents a child with potential or even has the talent from discovering it or developing it. When coaches and parents get disappointed when they fail, this only fuels the low self esteem in the child. This is psychological damage which the child may grow with and may lead to them thinking that they are failures.

The child given the freedom to take part in any sport non-competitively is able to try out many games hence giving them the chance to be vast and have a variety of games to choose from, which they can later on as they grow up be able to specialize in. It is easier for a child to know what they are good in when they are given the chance to express themselves and perform according to their ability. For example a child is given the chance to play base ball, basket ball, or swimming he or she through freely participating in all these, easily develops interest for one or more; through this passion for the game is developed.

People would argue that competition helps the child develop skills and talents but the truth is that competition holds back many children from participating in games as most of them get intimidated. Giving them the chance to play and not compete would be good for the child both physically and psychologically. Parents should support their children to play instead of involving them in competitions so as to give them a chance to have fun.