Overview

After being questioned by a parent about how sports affects children, Griffin examined the impact of sports on children and reflected upon his own experiences with sports. What effect does sports have on work habits, social skills, confidence, independence, and aspirations? Does a sports experience provide the foundation for achievement in school and later life? Is competition good or harmful? What about the effects of sports involvement on girls? What are the characteristics of good athletes? How can parents help their children be successful in sports? Griffin shares with parents and other readers his investigations of the published research pertaining to these questions and offers his own experiences and analyses. He asserts that sports is best assessed as it relates to the central issues children and adolescents confront while growing up—the agenda of the childhood, as he calls it. Griffin's explorations lead him to an examination of schools, professional sports, race and class, and the popular media as they affect children's interest and involvement in sports. He also investigates the phenomena of achievement (not just in sports) and good parenting.

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9780275961275

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Reviews

Sooner or later, most people--especially parents--will want answers to the questions Robert Griffin raises about children's participation in sports. Griffin weaves research findings, his own experience as an athlete, and common sense into a readable and provocative guide for parents, coaches, teachers, and others who want a realistic view of the role of sports in academic, personal, and social development. This book is an important and timely contribution to the literature on sports as a context of human development. -Saundra Murray Nettles Associate Professor Department of Human Development University of Maryland

This is a provocative guide for parents, coaches, teachers, and others who seek a realistic view of the role sports play in habits, social skills, confidence, independence, and aspirations....He also considers issues such as whether competition is good or harmful, the effects of sports involvement on girls, and how parents may help their children be successful in sports. The documentation is exceptionally well done--thorough and thoroughly readable. Highly recommended and a must acquisition for any academic or public library catering to an informed public. -Choice ?This is a provocative guide for parents, coaches, teachers, and others who seek a realistic view of the role sports play in habits, social skills, confidence, independence, and aspirations....He also considers issues such as whether competition is good or harmful, the effects of sports involvement on girls, and how parents may help their children be successful in sports. The documentation is exceptionally well done--thorough and thoroughly readable. Highly recommended and a must acquisition for any academic or public library catering to an informed public.?-Choice [A] superb account of the role of sports in children's lives. As a mother, educator, and sports-based professional, I read his work with great interest. Readers can appreciate his no-nonsense, practical look at why sports is so compelling. -Susan Kirsch Executive Director, American Sports Institute Sooner or later, most people--especially parents--will want answers to the questions Robert Griffin raises about children's participation in sports. Griffin weaves research findings, his own experience as an athlete, and common sense into a readable and provocative guide for parents, coaches, teachers, and others who want a realistic view of the role of sports in academic, personal, and social development. This book is an important and timely contribution to the literature on sports as a context of human development. -Saundra Murray Nettles Associate Professor Department of Human Development University of Maryland

Author Information

ROBERT S. GRIFFIN is Professor in the College of Education and Social Services at the University of Vermont. His writings have been published in the Harvard Educational Review, Educational Theory, Teachers College Record, and Education Digest. He is the author of two previous books on the education of adolescents.

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