The cliché that children are like sponges may be overused, but it still rings true – especially in the world of youth sports.
According to a recent survey conducted by the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), an alarming number of adults at youth sporting events are openly consuming alcohol and smoking tobacco in the presence of children.
The disconcerting results now has NAYS urging all parents, coaches, officials and administrators to be mindful of the influence they hold over young children and to understand that they are role models to those youth.
Of the more than 2,000 respondents to the NAYS national survey, 68 percent often or occasionally witness coaches, parents or officials using tobacco products in the presence of children at youth sporting events.
Approximately 14 percent said they have witnessed coaches, parents or officials often or occasionally using alcohol in the presence of children at youth sports events.
Because children are so impressionable during their developmental years, it is imperative that adults in their lives serve as positive role models. Adults in youth sports, particularly coaches, are in the unique position to influence the behavior of the children in their care.
Behavior such as consuming alcohol or tobacco in front of children is a guaranteed way to increase the chances that those children will experiment with those substances.
Adults in youth sports should always be aware that children will soak up what they see like a sponge, and most likely emulate that behavior.
Here is a detailed look at the results from the NAYS survey:
Have you ever witnessed coaches, parents or officials using tobacco products in the presence of children at youth sports events?
- Often – 12 percent
- Occasionally – 56 percent
- Never – 31 percent
Have you ever witnessed coaches, parents or officials using alcohol in the presence of children at youth sports events?
- Often – 2 percent
- Occasionally – 12 percent
- Never – 86 percent
What is your agency’s stance on parents drinking or smoking in the parks while watching their kids’ sporting events? Post your thoughts by commenting here on the blog - you can be anonymous if you’re uncomfortable speaking on behalf of your agency.
Carol Stream Park District Board banned smoking from all sports fields some years ago. Also, about 6-7 years ago, we banned alcohol from any youth sport related gatherings held for in-hosue or affiliated programs, including post season banquets or picnics at a parent’s house. Neither has been a problem, tho it’s virtually impossible to police the picnics at someone’s house.
It’s sad, but true. I had my daughter play for two years in a rec soccer league in my hometown and had to smell smoke at every game. We finally gave up and now she plays basketball. I find the southwest suburbs to be the worst place to play outdoors even at a park. Too many people smoking and leaving their butts around.
In Oak Park, it’s been smoke free since I started working here and it’s a pleasure to work outdoors in clean air.
I encourage all Park Districts to ban smoking on the fields and in the parks. My 7 year old dislikes smoke so much she asks if we can play somewhere else when someone is smoking at a park. Lucky for us, there’s a lot of parks to pick from, where the air is fresh!