According to the women's sport foundation, non athletes were more than twice as likely as athletes to report a pregnancy. Teenagers have a lot of time available to them after school until their parents get home from work, so by involving teens in sports keeps them busy after school for at least two to two in a half hours. Participating in positive, goal directed activities gives teenagers a chance to develop skills, and build character.
Most young athletes devote a lot of emotional and physical effort to sports.
Many are also involved with other extracurricular activities in the school and the community. Young athletes grow up hearing lectures from adults about leading exemplary lives both on and off the court or playing field. Being an athlete, they are often told, means conditioning, hard work, and sacrificing their bodies and staying healthy enough to compete. Coaches, teachers, or health care professionals often counsel young athletes to avoid risky behaviors such as substance abuse and sexual activity in order to develop their athletic skills. For some, sports may be the ticket for college.