So before this starts, I want to say I'm quite biased towards one group. I also am aware there are other "groups" that you might have fit in, but we'll keep it to two groups.
Question #1 - What kind of kid were/are you?
Kids who played sports - I'm talking about the kids who played sports from the age of 4 up till they finished highschool, or even continue to play until this day. I coach a (competitive, rep, travel, provincial, whatever you want to call it) basketball team and over the last 3 years I've had kids who were so dedicated to their sport, they literally live and breathe basketball. Not to mention the most important part of it all, they're in amazing shape. So aside from their dedication and the obvious health benefits of playing sports, I'm a firm believer that anyone who played sports while growing up were exposed to several positive life changing experiences. Playing sports gives a child confidence, teaches them good sportsmanship, teaches them to work hard for things they want, sometimes develops a leader out of someone, develops GREAT friendships with other kids they play their sport with every week, and the list goes on.
Kids who didn't play sports - No offense to anyone who didn't play a sport growing up, but what I see these days is 2 things. Any child I am in contact with who doesn't play sports is 1) chubby/overweight/obese, 2) lazy and/or 3) spoiled. Not to say kids who play sports aren't spoiled, but I've seen more from the 2nd group. These kids sit around at home all day playing video games, rotting their brain out over TV, get into mischief because they have nothing else to occupy their time with.
Question #2 - What kind of kid would you or have you raised?
Would you want a kid who stays active and out of trouble, or a kid who is lazy and sits around the house all day?
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I think it's obvious which group in Q1 I'm biased towards. As a kid I started playing basketball at the age of 6, and haven't looked back (24 now). There are so many great memories I have from basketball that I wouldn't trade them for anything.