I am the father of four children, boys and girls, all of whom are sports enthusiasts, so I usually accompany them at the competitions they participate in.
Sports practice in youth is not only beneficial for health but also an excellent way to create friendships outside of the school environment and to learn and live the values of camaraderie, mutual aid, and respect.
It turns out that much of the animosity we are confronted with daily is carried over into competitions, not by the participants but by the spectators.
It has become common to go watch a children’s/teenagers’ football game and see parents in the stands insulting the players of the opposing team, parents insulting other parents – even threatening physical confrontation – and even coaches insulting the players of the other team. Perhaps it wouldn’t be worse to start thinking about the existence of a referee to restore order in the stands…
Those who should set the example – the adults – do the opposite and then still manage to claim that today’s young people have very violent behaviors and that one of their greatest concerns is the bullying among young people.
Now, if it is they themselves who, in an environment that is meant to be healthy and urban, set the worst example, it is natural that young people in the process of development consider this type of behavior normal and reproduce it in their daily lives.
The ability to distinguish opponents from enemies and to view defeat as something natural, which instead of creating resentment and discomfort, can and should be used as a form of learning and growth, has been lost.
If, as Fernando Pessoa said, children are the best of the world, let us help them grow in a healthy, fraternal, and values-based environment, for they will be the men of tomorrow and our future depends on them.
I couldn’t end this without expressing my wishes for an excellent Year of the Horse to all readers and their respective families!
