Ballfields & Bullying: Perspectives That Give Me Pause

Recently I've been part of numerous conversations  in my classes, over coffee with friends,  and on the sidelines at my boys'  games, involving issues related to youth sports, struggle and bullying.  So when I came across these two very different, yet poignant articles on these topics, I felt they were worth sharing.

I found  the articles to be insightful,  thought-provoking,  at times provocative, and pulled me from many different places--just the kind of "gray" feelings that I embrace and dread as a parent--and what mindfulness is all about!

The first article, forwarded to me by a friend, discusses parental roles in youth sports, and is entitled: What Makes A Nightmare Sports Parent -- And What Makes A Great One (http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/more-family-fun/201202/what-makes-nightmare-sports-parent)

A passage that resonated for  me:

"Sports is one of few places in a child's life where a parent can say, 'This is your thing'...Athletics is one of the best ways for young people to take risks and deal with failure because the consequences aren’t fatal, they aren’t permanent. We’re talking about a game. So they usually don’t want or need a parent to rescue them when something goes wrong."

The second article coincides with the release of  both the highly acclaimed documentary "Bully" in selected theaters this weekend, and a special on Cartoon Network about  standing up to bullying.  It's  from the Wall Street Journal entitled: Stop Panicking About Bullies 

 (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303404704577311664105746848.html)

A couple thought-provoking, perhaps provocative, passages:

"Now that schools are peanut-free, latex-free and soda-free, parents, administrators and teachers have got to worry about something. Since most kids now have access to cable TV, the Internet, unlimited talk and texting, college and a world of opportunities that was unimaginable even 20 years ago, it seems that adults have responded by becoming ever more overprotective and thin-skinned." 

"Our problem isn't a world where bullies are allowed to run rampant; it's a world where kids...are convinced that they are powerless victims." 

Pretty "spicy" stuff, huh?

I invite you to take a read yourself, and please share your wisdom and comments!