But that's all changing now, it seems. Parents are shouting abuse at sports teachers and putting pressure on children to excel. It's got so bad that parents have been banned from attending sports events at a number of South London primary schools due to "concerning behaviours".
Sports days are meant to be fun, not competitive occasions on which children have to be pushed harder and harder.
The sports days I attended at school were the innocent events you would expect. Yes, the egg and spoon race and the three-legged race and the sack race. There was a friendly and good-natured atmosphere and no hint of competitive striving.
I wouldn't have liked being pressured to outdo the other boys. I was never a competitive person so I would have hated it. I would have invented some clever excuse to opt out.
There is such a thing as friendly competition. If you don't wish to compete then why enter a race? It also teaches children to accept coming in second, third, whatever, and indeed to feel happy for the winner.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there is one scenario I recognize the parental behaviour you describe from. Many years ago now. Bloody hell. Saturday morning. Young boys (under fourteens) football matches. Say eight or so teams, each with own "manager". Some of the fathers shouting at their kids from the sidelines were something else. And I said as much to a few. And they look at you as if you are mad - or call it "cheering on". Bull.
U
Ursula: Parents were never involved in our sports activities (except on sports day), so fortunately the aggressive shouting didn't happen.
DeleteHello Nick,
ReplyDeleteWell, when once asked what is your favourite sport, our answer was 'tiddlywinks'....the questioner moved away. The context was that we had found ourselves in the company of the party bore who not only played every sport perfectly but excelled at them too. We had to find a way to better his story!!
But, how awful that parents have to be banned from sports day so that their children can take part for fun. What a world.
Jane and Lance: The party bore who drones on about his numerous talents is very tiresome.
DeleteI haven't played tiddlywinks since I was a kid.
Parents are out of control over sports, academics, dance, college admissions. The list goes on!
ReplyDeleteBijoux: They are. They're determined to see their children succeed, by hook or by crook.
DeleteThe life of a child is so different, and not in a better way imo. Children no longer play outside with the neighbor kids. No more hopscotch in the street. Kickball. Neighborhood squabbles that they settle themselves. Don't get me started of the organized sports events that start on primary school.
ReplyDeleteSandra: A great shame that many kids no longer play outside. They might have a garden to play in, but of course that's not the same.
DeleteI remember we would listen to the radio to hear if sports day had been canceled due to rain. Parents would be in a fine mood, just like for a Legion picnic that also had kid's races. Part of the reason we wouldn't be competitive is that we didn't practise ahead of time. We all just showed up.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of games, while on holiday, in a London library I found a big book by a researcher who had collected all sorts of children's games. The book was being discarded for a pound. This was back in 2017, and I still wish I had bought it and carried it back home.
Sean: Yes, I imagine you'd be cock-a-hoop if sports day was cancelled!
DeleteA book of children's games would be fascinating. My father liked playing ludo with us kids.
I was talking to a neighbor when his son came home from school to tell Dad about the whole school having a race around the building. He proudly announced he had come in second--of the whole school! Dad replied, "First next time, right?"
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: That's what kids are up against nowadays. Luckily my parents never pushed me, they just let me be what I was able to be.
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