The long history of the impact of sports on culture includes the ever present opportunity for alternate means of resolving conflict. Whether it is the essence of the Olympic ideal, the virtue of practicing teamwork or the character building lessons of the games and competitions you have loved and followed for generations, sports may be the best model for preparing young people for a world in which conflict is an ongoing presence.
The Olympics
The tradition of sports trumping the entanglements and pettiness of human conflict stretches back to the original Olympics of Ancient Greece. The "Olympic Truce," established in the 9th century B.C., assured that athletes, artists and their families -- as well as ordinary pilgrims -- could travel in complete safety to participate in or attend the Olympic games, regardless of their nationality, according to a history of the "sacred truce" composed by the International Olympic Committee. Thus, the elevation of sports and competition to a high level of culture has been around nearly as long as recorded history, providing a precedent for its use as a powerful antidote to the scourge of violence and conflict.
The Team Concept
Many of the sports available to kids involve teams. While the competition found in individual sports provides certain valuable lessons, nothing can replace the effect of learning to apply principles of teamwork. The book "Physical Activity and Youth Sports" points out that the presence of different personalities on a sports team -- which could lead to a variety of conflicts -- provides the opportunity for contrary minds to learn about coming together in the service of a common goal. Sacrifice and the subordination of one's ego and personal interests for the sake of the group provides the basis for cooperative efforts elsewhere in life.
Overemphasis on Winning
"Physical Activity and Youth Sports" states that the games we play cannot automatically be relied upon to defuse conflict. Sports has the potential to actually increase hard feelings and interpersonal impasse. The "win at all costs" mindset that frequently infects athletic endeavors provides a strong illustration of how this can occur. The Olympic Games -- ostensibly the shining example of a pure love of sport -- have seen many instances of attempts to unfairly gain competitive advantage; most frequently in the use of performance enhancing drugs. Youth sports, of course, are not immune to this push for victory. Overeager parents occasionally demonstrate bad behavior and poor sportsmanship in the desire to see their children win or receive more playing time in a team environment.
Conflict Between Competitors
Athletic competition necessarily results in victors and also-rans. No competitor wants to come out on the short end of things; everyone pursues the win. Consequently, conflict must be taken as an occasional by-product of sports. Fortunately, sports contains certain mechanisms that aid in finding productive means of resolving conflict between competitors. To begin with, the rules of a sport determine, in part, what penalty will be levied for violations of appropriate conduct. Poor handling of conflict, therefore, has distinct consequences in sports. Additionally, one of the fundamental themes in most youth sports is respect for the game. When you act badly, fight or otherwise engage in inappropriate behavior, it is disrespectful to the sport.
Character Building Activity
Conflict resolution relies, at least in part, on the openness, good intentions and general strength of character of those involved. As "Physical Activity and Youth Sports" contends, character building remains one of the most touted benefits of sports for kids. Learning how to win and lose gracefully, to not exaggerate the importance of any one result and to learn the lessons of hard work and dedication in the pursuit of excellence all provide the basis for the sort of character building integral in healthy development of human beings.
References
- Olympic.org: Olympic Truce
- "Physical Activity and Youth Sports: Social and Moral Issues: A Special Issue of Peace and Conflict"; Crystal F. Branta (Editor), Jacqueline V. Lerner (Editor), Carl S. Taylor (Editor); 1996
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