The benefits outweigh the risks when discussing youth sports. All across America, it is estimated that between 35-45 million kids are playing a sport of some kind- whether it be for a school team, a neighborhood or parish organization, or an amateur travel team of some sort.

Recently however, there is a rather surprising decline in participation at all levels of youth sports. During a time with plenty of childhood opportunities in athletics, more and more kids seemingly just aren’t as interested in sports. In the 2018 State of Play report, the Aspen Institute reported that the percentage of kids involved in youth sports dropped from 41.5% in 2011 to under 37% in 2017. Another study by the Washington post found that from 2007 to 2013, there was as much as a 5% drop recorded in youth athletics. Over the last decade, there is a steady stream of data pointing to a long term problem of Americans’ increasing lack of interest in sports.

There appears to be multiple reasons for the drop in participation. In this new age of the internet, many children grow up essentially addicted to technology. The video game community is taking off, with many teens often choosing gaming over after school workouts. Another possible reason for the decline is health concerns. With more awareness around concussions and other sports related injuries, parents are more hesitant to allow their children to play. Those hit hardest by falling participation numbers include basketball, baseball, football, and soccer.

The diagnosis of concussions is on the rise, and this is just the beginning. Sports like football, hockey, and soccer are seeing a drastic rise in the number of confirmed concussions in youth leagues. It is important that we pursue more knowledge on the danger of head injuries and work to provide a solution that keeps the integrity of the game intact. Despite apparent health concerns, it is crucial that we work to encourage participation in sports at all levels, and that we adapt for a safer, and hopefully more enjoyable, future in sports.

Source: “State of Play 2018 Trends and Developments.” The Aspen Institute: Project Play, 2018, pp. 1–25., https://assets.aspeninstitute.org/content/uploads/2018/10/StateofPlay2018_v4WEB_2-FINAL.pdf.