And, occasionally a player responds physically to such verbal abuse. Reports of violent behaviors among adults at youth sport events, specifically by parents and coaches, are increasingly more common. These take the form of brawls among parents, coaches and spectators, attacks on officials, and attacks of spectators by coaches. Children learn by example, and adults are clearly not setting a very good example for our future athletes and spectators. The fact that these behaviors occur on a regular basis suggests a society that is tolerant of violence and abuse.
Violence is a common thread in out society.
Youth cannot escape violence and have perhaps become desensitized to it. Several questions immediately surface for sport. We need to recognize that growing up in contemporary society is a complex process. Sports are only one part, albeit a very important part, of the process. Sports, however, are only one part of the transition from adolescence into adulthood.