It's not fair to put all sports parents in that category. My parents were totally hands off when it came to my athletic career; they didn't even stay and watch me practice. They came to competitions, they came to tests. If I asked nicely, they might stay and watch a run-through of a program during practice, but other than that, it was my sport, not theirs. Most of the parents at my skating club were like that. There are a few that are very involved, and I know of a couple parents who were kicked out of the club for being crazy parents, but most of them were fine.
I do think it's ridiculous for parents to get overly involved in their child's sport. It's one thing to be there, supporting and encouraging them, but a completely different thing to become abusive. It's a balance that is hard to find, but one that must be found.
That being said, it's unfair to say that none of the children will ever be professionals. Every professional started as a child that loved a sport. Some of them weren't even good at it to begin with. Everyone starts somewhere.
Of course, parents are crazy. Sometimes I think parents should just be told to leave games. Many of them are obsessed with the idea of 'fair', and if their child isn't getting exactly what they want, it becomes a major issue. People need to learn that fair play means not getting what you want all the time, and it's better to smile and be gracious than make a huge fuss. People are too entitled nowadays.
Hi Wrialhuden! Well said my man!
I'm pretty sure it stems from humans (especially ones here in the U.S.) highly competative nature and our "win at all costs" mentality. Everyone wants their child to be successful but exactly how standing behind the backstop at a little league game yelling "You SUCK!...You SUCK!!" at the opposing teams batter encourages this I'm not too sure.
To most kids it's embarrassing...especially when the parent is 300lbs overweight and couldn't swing a bat much less run 30ft without the paramedics being called to give em CPR.
"Patient is an overweight loudmouth fatass who collapsed 1/2 way between 1st base and home plate....CLEAR!!!!" ;)
There's also the parents who are re-living their youth through their poor children who are expected to make up for the parents failures. I met a guy once who's father stopped speaking to him after he said he didn't want to play hockey like all his siblings....Jesus.
I'm 6'5'' 225 and have always been good at sports, I had THOSE parents.
I could have played after highschool if I wanted in fact I was asked to in college and declined, Sports stopped being fun after middle school, heck I don't even watch sports on tv because I'm completely disinterested.
Those parents are living vicariously through their children -- hoping they achieve the athletic prowess that they never did.
Just one example in a long list of bad parenting skills that are ruining society.
