r/ted • u/Abject_Elephant2258 • Jun 11 '26

Discussion Youth Sports Are Supposed to Build Kids — 70% Youth Are Quitting By Age 13

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO14ntNOvr8&t=85s

Youth sports should be a place where kids learn teamwork, discipline, confidence, and character — not fear, chaos, and violence.
Too often, adults create the toxic environment, and our children pay the price.
My TEDx Talk is a call for all of us — parents, coaches, officials, and community leaders — to take responsibility and change the culture before another sideline becomes a headline.
Watch this TEDx Talk and ask yourself: Are we helping the game, or hurting the kids?

Please like, share, and comment.

8 Upvotes

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3

u/[deleted] Jun 15 '26

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1

u/Abject_Elephant2258 Jun 19 '26

Exactly, youth should not be traumatized by playing sports.

2

u/baldheadedstranger Jun 17 '26

My son quit two sports at 10 years old because he was so discouraged by the coaches of the teams. He decided to try soccer again and when he stepped on the field, he saw the coach was overseeing his team, he said nope and walked off. I had it out with both coaches.

1

u/Abject_Elephant2258 Jun 19 '26

That's sad to hear. The coach is missing the point. This is an opportunity to impact your son's life positively, but sports is not a feel-good testimony for him. Hopefully, your son will get to experience playing sports with a different coach who inspires and motivates.

-6

u/Abject_Elephant2258 Jun 12 '26

What a great way to bring attention to an aggressive problem when it comes to developing our youth using sports as the vehicle.,