How Recreational Sports Help Inner City Kids

Physical Health

• The most obvious reason that recreational sports are good for inner city kids is the physical benefits of getting exercise. In addition to being fun, sports and an active lifestyle promote physical development in kids. Psychologist Dr. Marianne Engle, writing on the NYU Langone Medical Center child study center website, notes that kids who partake in sports build healthy muscle and bone, have improved nerve health and reflexes, and reduce the likelihood of obesity and the risk of diabetes later in life. Chronic conditions such as asthma and allergies are common in kids who spend a lot of time indoors or in polluted areas, such as children in inner city environments. Playing a recreational sport can help boost the immune system to better cope with these conditions.

Psychological Benefits

• Being part of a basketball team or learning how to fence or play tennis gives kids higher self-esteem and self-worth. According to Dr. Engle, this translates into less anxiety and depression and a lower risk of mental health problems such as anorexia, self-harm and even suicide. Playing recreational sports gives inner city children the opportunity to develop leadership and team-building skills, making them feel more in control of their lives and giving them a healthy emotional outlet.

Improved Behavior

• Inner city kids are often from broken, low-income homes and surrounded by vestiges of poverty and neglect. It is not surprising that many of these kids grow up to have poor self-image and behavior problems. An article on child self-confidence on AskDrSears.com notes that recreational sports boost self-image and self-respect, which lead to better behavior at home, in school and in social settings. Additionally, playing a game and being a member of a team is akin to being part of a miniature social system; and teaches children to respect social rules and roles; and listen to coaches, referees and peer team leaders. Kids who play sports are less likely to act out in negative ways.

Education

• The attention, focus and strategic thinking gained on the basketball court or soccer field also benefit kids in the classroom. Inner city kids who play recreational sports improve their grades and time management skills, and more actively participate at school. Sports boost self-confidence and also teach kids to make quick decisions and work out solutions to problems in class.

Positive Influence

• Inner city kids are vulnerable to influence by gangs, which draw them in by giving them a sense of belonging. Recreational sports can help stop these effects by giving kids a purpose and the opportunity to transform their restless energy and stress into something they can enjoy and be passionate about. Writing on the Northwestern University website in 2010, Brenna Swift noted that sports can help change the outcome of a child's life and even save a life by preventing him from getting involved with a gang. Developing trustworthy relationships with coaches and team members gives kids access to responsible advice and support.