The Joy of Participation

Participation.

The idea of belonging to something greater than ourself is an exciting prospect for some people. This can morph into several forms and often depends on environmental context. Sometimes it involves people collaborating on work projects together; often individuals will sacrifice their own time and energy to help others by volunteering and sharing their lives. Whatever the process, the key element of participation is people, plural. It takes more than one person to participate. Common sense, right?

For children, sports is a widely available avenue for participating and integrating with other kids who have common interests. It involves teamwork and mentoring from coaches and hopefully fosters a sense of belonging. Studies show that students who participate in school-related sports are less likely to drop out of school. The idea revolves around the kids taking ownership of something bigger than their individual needs and desires. Sports blends hard work with rewarding outcomes.

The social ramifications are also important. Students who play team sports tend to avoid illegal activities. Since they have an outlet to channel their time into, they spend more of their 'off-time' focused on ways to improve their abilities. They are proud of their accomplishments and do not want to tarnish their social standing by participating in behavior detrimental to their overall well being.

An obvious benefit of sports is physical activity and improving health. Just an hour of exercise a day can drastically reduce a child's risk of some potential health problems. Besides the mental and social aspects of athletic participation, the physical advantages can contribute towards improving the overall health of an entire generation.

So what happens when a child is denied an opportunity to participate in team sports because of their social situation? The obvious answer is they are not allowed the benefits mentioned. A lack of the opportunity to participate disallows a child the chance to learn how to interact with others. This can lead to social awkwardness and discomfort when the child is forced to spend time with others.

Homeless children in Montana are too often forced to prioritize the needs and wants in their lives. Sports is seen as nonessential because it costs money. it can be difficult justifying participation in team sports when a family is living day to day and finances must be reallocated according to perceived need. Lets face it... paying the electric bill trumps signing up for soccer. It is unfortunate that families are forced to neglect the possibility of sports because other needs loom more sinister on the horizon.

All children should have the chance to participate in sports because it helps them grow socially, mentally, and physically. And when this happens, the entire community benefits.