Goalkeeping in junior football - photo supplied.
New research reveals skimpy uniforms are stopping kids from playing sports. Skimpy uniforms? A pathetic parental penchant for pandering to preciousness, more likely.
Here’s the backstory from AdelaideNow.com.au: SportSA chief executive Jan Sutherland said uniforms across a range of junior sports were recognised as a hurdle to participation.
“You do talk about the internet, computer games stopping kids playing sport, but uniforms can also sometimes play a role,” she said.
UniSA Professor of exercise science Kevin Norton reportedly said; “When you think about top-level athletes who play sports like netball and beach volleyball, their uniforms could be described as tight and short and the pressure to look and dress like them can trickle down.”
Apparently, that pressure and self-consciousness can stop your 14-year-old from playing sport, but evidently not from donning fishnets and a mini-skirt to head to the movie megaplex on any given Saturday.
Let me state this plainly; if your child is not playing any sport because he or she does not want to wear a netball skirt, then you – Mum and Dad – should be put in a pair of budgie smugglers and paraded before a packed Lang Park.
What do you think your job as a parent is? To allow your child to never feel the slightest discomfort? To pander to every insecurity? To bow down to every precious pre-pubescent emotion ?
Why do you think your child should be involved in sport? Fun.
Fun is one answer, certainly. But scoffing down cheeseburgers and sundaes and playing Super Mario Brothers is fun. You don’t need sport to have fun.
I accept the argument of sports administrators, psychologists and scientists that for the very young, competitive sport and a focus on winning is counter-productive.
Therefore, they have programs that are designed to directly compete with the Playstation as an outlet to have fun. Kudos, the littlies clearly adore this entrée to sport. This is not about those programs.
Also, I’m irritated that Badminton authorities want to bring into law the wearing of skirts and I’d happily make the argument that a Muslim woman should be able to play beach volleyball in a burqa if she so wished.
No, this is not an argument FOR putting kids in skimpy clothes that make them self-conscious – it is an argument AGAINST using such a ludicrous excuse for keeping your child out of sport.
Parents should value sport for their children because the job description of a Mum or Dad is to prepare a child for a successful adulthood. Sport can assist this process enormously.
When your precious, special little one grows up, he or she will have days when they are champions of the world. And they will have days when they feel like perpetual losers.
In adult life, they will give their all to something and fail and another time they will enjoy success without trying. They will work with talented people they hate and untalented people they love and they will need to reconcile that. If you are a really good parent, you will grow a child that is prepared to endure pain to enjoy success.
So it is with sport.
A parent has few more effective tools than junior sport to impart this wisdom to a developing child. Sport teaches these life lessons in a way a million bedside lectures cannot.
It also teaches this: sometimes in life, you WILL have to do something you don’t want to do – because it is the RIGHT thing to do.
In adulthood, it might be saying no to a second dessert because your cholesterol is high, it might be visiting your sick Uncle who you aren’t so fond of because your Mum needs you to, it might be turning up to work when you don’t feel like it because you promised those clients you’d deliver the order by today.
In childhood, it might be playing in a uniform with horizontal stripes that aren’t so slimming, or wearing a leotard as you gradually become a stronger, leaner gymnast, or it might be playing fullback when you want to be striker – because that what the team needs.
My obsessive, life-long love of sport grew from facing a sad fact of life when I was maybe ten or eleven. I wasn’t like some of my skinny mates who ate all day and did nothing and still had ab muscles you could see. I needed to move to stay in shape and I soon worked out that sport is the most fun way to move.
That remains true as I approach my 40th birthday. And those skinny mates I mentioned? Yeah, not so much anymore.
My parents forced me into tennis. I hated it. They told me to stick it out for a year. I did. I still hated it. So they enrolled me in cricket – a sport I adored and played for 25 years. Ironically, I don’t play cricket anymore but live for my weekly hit of tennis.
And now, I’m the one kissing the grazed knees and rubbing the bruises as my little one learns to ride her bicycle. She gets smashed. She stacks it a lot as she tries to get better. It’s not easy to watch.
It goes against every protective, parental instinct not to say; “C’mon honey, this is too hard for you right now, let’s forget it for now and we’ll get a milkshake.”
But it is not my job to make her world one giant vanilla milkshake. It is my job to equip her to cope with the world as she grows up to be an effective adult one day.
I would love it if she grew up to win three Olympic gold medals in the velodrome at the 2028 olympics at Khartoum but I’d be even happier, if, 30 years from now, she is resisting the urge to tell her little one to quit – because life is about taking a few bruises to achieve something.
As Theodore Roosevelt put it, somewhat sexistly: “Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.”
Life is about wearing skimpy shorts when you’d prefer not to and it’s not about having a parent that lets you off the hook every time you express a doubt about doing something.
Junior sport supports parents in teaching the inconvenient truths of our existence and any parent who allows their chubby kid to stay on the lounge because Little Athletics makes the kids wear a singlet is the one who really should be embarrassed.
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May 11th 2011 @ 8:48am
Brett McKay said | May 11th 2011 @ 8:48am | Report comment
Excellent article Aaron, you’ve nailed it. The point about teaching our kids about doing what’s best for the team rather than ourselves is that it also removes just a little bit of the “me, me, me” attitude that seems to prevail in today’s youth. Every time our kids kit up in that unflattering team strip, they become a little less selfish, and they learn the values of combinng for the greater good. And they also find out that all their team-mates probably hate the uniform just as much. But yet, they all go out there and do their best despite thinking they look like lollypops.
I’m like you Aaron, I can’t wait to start teaching my 3mth old daughter the values and benefits of sport. Sport can give you such a grounding in the adult world that Playstations and cartoons can never offer, and the sooner studies like this one you mention learn that, the better….
May 11th 2011 @ 9:02am
BrisbaneGrowl said | May 11th 2011 @ 9:02am | Report comment
Wow. Probably one of the best Roar articles I’ve ever read.
There are definitely a lot of parents in the world today that need to hear this “inconvenient truth”.
May 11th 2011 @ 9:30am
Fake ex-AFL fan said | May 11th 2011 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Sorry Aaron but you’ve managed to miss the point entirely. Brett going on about ‘today’s youth’ really sums it up – typical reactionary nonsense from people who don’t bother to read the research and fall into lazy stereotypes about the youth of today, how it was so much tougher in my day blah blah blah.
The fact is there is a massive drop off in sports participation amongst kids once they reach their early teens. No doubt there’s a wide variety of reasons for this trend, but I think it’s entirely plausible that one of those reasons is that SOME kids don’t feel comfortable wearing tight or revealing uniforms. No one is saying that’s the only factor, but it stands to reason that if, for example, a u/14 netball team wears tight outfits like some of the ANZ league teams then perhaps some girls with body image issues (and keep in mind that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re significantly overweight, but rather they perceive themselves that way) might be put off playing.
Simply telling the girl to harden up, lecturing her about sacrificing for the team is completely pointless because she probably won’t tell you that’s the reason. She’ll just say “I don’t want to play anymore”. By the early teens its the kids desire to play sport that drives participation, not their parents. Trying to force them to play will just build resentment and alienation.
If we can address a range of factors, including this one, that maximise the chances of teenagers WANTING to play sport then let’s do it. And save the rants about young people for talk back radio.
May 11th 2011 @ 9:42am
Brett McKay said | May 11th 2011 @ 9:42am | Report comment
Faker, I’m basing that observation of mine on a 20+ year grade cricket career, where I’ve seen first hand exactly the sort of attitudes from kids that I mention. Only a select few have the courage and strong will to keep going when things get a bit tough. I’ve lost count of the number of talented 14 or 15yo cricketers who were long gone before their 20th birthday because it just got too hard. Anything from an unlucky run of form to just not being picked in the grade they thought the should be in. Gone, never to be seen again.
You can call it reactionary nonsense if you like, but it’s also a common reality…
May 11th 2011 @ 9:54am
Fake ex-AFL fan said | May 11th 2011 @ 9:54am | Report comment
I don’t doubt it Brett, that’s because not everyone is cut out for high level competitive sport. And it’s always been that way. Some people have the competitive drive, some don’t. To suggest however that a 13 year old girl with body image issues who is embarrassed to wear a revealing outfit should be mocked as a weak, spineless quitter is just absurd.
Oh, and how do you think those 14 or 15 yo cricketers would have gone if their parents had locked them in the car and forced them at gun point to get in the nets for practice?
May 11th 2011 @ 10:20am
Brett McKay said | May 11th 2011 @ 10:20am | Report comment
well now you’re just going to the other extreme, aren’t you.. And this was just middle-grade, standard club cricket too, that I make this observation, not some elite squad.
The point in all this is just that, once again, it’s too easy to discourage our kids from leading active, healthy lifestyles. Obesity is a massive problem in Australia, and playing sport is but one way that kids (and adults) can get active.
I have no doubt that body image is a big issue, and I have no doubt that it will be something I have to deal with in my daughters life. And it will be difficult, but that is part of being a parent, encouraging our kids that they have nothing to be embarrased about and that everyone has flaws. As I said, our kids will probably find out that their friends are also in a similar boat, but the notion of overcoming adversity together sould be encouraged. I’m not suggesting it will be easy, but that’s not a reason not to do it. And that’s all Aaron is saying here..
May 11th 2011 @ 11:29am
Fake ex-AFL fan said | May 11th 2011 @ 11:29am | Report comment
Brett – if you think your 13 year old daughter is going to come to you for a frank discussion on how she feels fat wearing her netball uniform, thus allowing you a special father-daughter moment where you teach her about the value of overcoming adversity, then i’ve got some bad news for you about how the next few years of your life are going to play out…
May 11th 2011 @ 11:40am
Brett McKay said | May 11th 2011 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Alternatively Faker, I could follow your advice and just not bother. I might take my chances and see how I go, thanks all the same…
May 11th 2011 @ 9:54am
Peternut said | May 11th 2011 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Research shows that the ever-increasing dependency on scientific studies to evaluate how society lives, is making our community misinterpret the way life as we know it, should be lived. LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
Is this above, the next “research study” that some “university ‘PROFESSOR’ ” will come up with.
Who commissions these studies? Why does the media report such rubbish?
Surely the ‘Crawford Report’ did not include uniforms or the lack-there-of, to be a reason for reduced participation in grass roots sport.
Well done Aaron Kearney, for telling it as it is. A few home truths are needed to give society a fair kick up the backside.
As i contradict myself, can someone please do a study to reveal why this “research” was partaken in the first place? I’m guessing it was probably becasue the kids/parents didn’t participate/encourage sport or exercise in the first place.
“Apparently, that pressure and self-consciousness can stop your 14-year-old from playing sport, but evidently not from donning fishnets and a mini-skirt to head to the movie megaplex on any given Saturday” – Perfect Point Kearney, but wait, there will be a study into why they dress in fishnets and mini-skirts.
May 11th 2011 @ 9:56am
Fake ex-AFL fan said | May 11th 2011 @ 9:56am | Report comment
And our next caller Alan…
May 11th 2011 @ 10:52am
anopinion said | May 11th 2011 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Faker,
You make really good points. This article is a parenting guide for producing resentful children.
No one thing makes kids quit sports. Usually we see a combination of factors. Adolescence is a time when interests change and also motivations. More interest in boys and less motivation for sport, along with a distaste for the uniform and a dislike for the coach, plus her best friend is not playing anymore. This is a more likely scenario for why your daughter is not plying netball anymore. She may verbalise this as “I don’t want to play anymore”, rather than spelling out the full truth.
I look forward to seeing Aaron Kearney at the “parent of the year awards”.
May 11th 2011 @ 11:21am
BigAl said | May 11th 2011 @ 11:21am | Report comment
As a parent of a female basketballer who has played at a level that requires the wearing of those body hugging outfits that BA has deemed as mandatory, I can say that overwhelmingly the players for a few reasons (body image and comfort ) would definately prefer NOT to wear them.
I know this is not a parents decision but an administrative decision, and is even worse in some other sports – eg. Beach volley ball.
It’s good to see that this uniform has not caught on in any other country in the world. I feel that BA thinks that by the time the girls reach the level where they are required to wear these outfits they are hooked on the game and don’t want to ‘create a fuss’ for the good of their future.
Wake up BA !
May 11th 2011 @ 11:24am
Fake ex-AFL fan said | May 11th 2011 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Don’t worry Al, just give them a lecture on what wimps they are, how much tougher you had it on your day, they’re a generation of slackers etc. etc. That’ll fix the problem.
May 11th 2011 @ 5:00pm
damos_x said | May 11th 2011 @ 5:00pm | Report comment
sounds like this is the lecture you got & you didn’t like it ! not everyone is going to present that argument in the same harsh manner you describe but the message is similar, in other words, get stuck in & don’t be so concerned about how you look, just enjoy the exercise & having a go, even when it seems too hard, you might be surprised that you get over it & continue to enjoy & grow.
May 11th 2011 @ 6:01pm
anopinion said | May 11th 2011 @ 6:01pm | Report comment
Isn’t that the point? Just enjoy the exercise, why do we have to have body hugging outfits?
May 11th 2011 @ 6:18pm
BigAl said | May 11th 2011 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
.
but the point wth the latex basketball body suits is…
they don’t make playing the sport any easier because they are uncomfortable;
they make (most) players uncomfortable because they ARE physically more uncomfortable than standard b/ball wear and may cause issues with body image;
This would most likely be the reason why they are not worn in any other country as far as I am aware.
The only reason they are worn is because BA consider them to be good (eye candy) for the game
May 11th 2011 @ 11:25am
Johnomark said | May 11th 2011 @ 11:25am | Report comment
Sadly there are too many parents using the “22 Method” of parenting as an excuse not to have in their kids in sport. The “22 Method” goes along the lines of… I know kids it’s Too hot for cricket.. Too cold for swimming..Too dangerous for football..Trainings on Too late etc etc. As a parent to 2 children, of which one has autism I understand sometimes it’s far easier not to have children in sport and it’s easier to look for excuses to not have them participate. However the benefits that they have gained from participating far outweigh any concerns they or myself could have ever had. Thanks for the article Aaron.
May 11th 2011 @ 11:31am
Fake ex-AFL fan said | May 11th 2011 @ 11:31am | Report comment
Is anyone actually reading the linked article? It’s about why KIDS don’t want to play sport, not parents. The specific area of concern is the drop off in participation rates in the early teens, and the possibility of uniforms being ONE factor in that drop off.
May 11th 2011 @ 12:56pm
Johnomark said | May 11th 2011 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
My point was (which i probably could of made better) was that many parents and hence as a direct result their children will use any excuse whether it is uniforms, etc etc not to participate in sport initially or remove themselves from it at later stages. When in many cases the ” real reason” is they just can’t be bothered to start a new sport or keep participating in their chosen field. Kids not wanting to, or keep playing sport can often be attributed the parents attitudes.
May 11th 2011 @ 1:54pm
chris petes said | May 11th 2011 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Horribly ignorant argument, like telling someone with cancer to just get over it maybe just a quick father to son chat is all it takes to solve lifes problems after all ?
May 11th 2011 @ 2:12pm
dasilva said | May 11th 2011 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
I don’t really agree with the point of this article
Yes I agree people should be physically active but I don’t think people should be forced into playing sports despite their discomfort in playing it.
I’ll generally say to my kids that you have to be physically active. If you find the dress code of the sport too uncomfortable then you can quit playing netball etc. However you have to replace that with another physical activity (another sport that the person is more comfortable playing with) or them going to the gym or them simply just going for a walk and jog everyday.
I think it’s a perfectly reasonable for children not wanting to wear skimpy uniform in playing sport. if children are uncomfortable wearing that and that hinders physical participation then shouldn’t we change the uniform code so that more people are more comfortable playing that sport and therefore higher participation levels.
“Apparently, that pressure and self-consciousness can stop your 14-year-old from playing sport, but evidently not from donning fishnets and a mini-skirt to head to the movie megaplex on any given Saturday.”
That’s absolutely garbage comment
HAve you thought that the people who are uncomfortable with the uniform code aren’t the same people who are comfortably wearing mini-skirts in public?
Sport should be able to accomodate both people who dress liberally and people who dress conservatively.