Title: Young athletes, couch potatoes, and helicopter parents : the productivity of play /
Authors: Skolnikoff, Jessica.; Engvall, Robert P.
Year: 2013
Subjects: Sports for children Social aspects United States.; Sports for children United States.; Physical education for children United States.; Play Social aspects United States.; Parent and child United States
Abstract: "In Young Athletes, Couch Potatoes, and Helicopter Parents, Jessica Skolnikoff and Robert Engvall look at the important issue of play and its changing role in today's hyperstructured society. The authors conducted countless interviews combined with extensive research in order to develop a comprehensive theory on the current nature of play and how it has affected children's lives. Specific topics addressed include the impact of overinvolved parents upon the play of their children, the lack of unstructured play, how kids are chosen for sports teams and the effect of these selections on the kids, and the lasting impression on children of society's competitive mindset." -- Back Cover
Contents: Why is the coach's son always the quarterback? An expansion of Gladwell's Outliers -- Little League parents: the fine line between healthy obsession and unhealthy behavior -- "Athletic capital": status, performance, and physical activity level among middle school students -- The widening gap of youth activity level -- The power of play -- Me first: there may not be an "I" in team, but there's a "me" -- The loss of community through specialized sports and the loss of unstructured play.