Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Grasshoppers In The Outfield: An Examination Of The Effects Of Sports On Children, Chelsea R. Baker

CMC Senior Theses

Many psychologists have studied the effects of sports on children because it is an issue that is important for children and parents alike. Athletic participation is a popular activity in the United States for children and many begin sports at young ages. Theokas (2009) claimed that the importance of athletics is that sports are more than physical activity—sports have an influence in many other areas of a child’s life. The goal of the current review was to examine how sports affect children in domains such as: friendships, self-esteem, family, and academics. Athletic involvement helps a child in more ways that …