Children and Adolescents in the Sport Culture: the Overwhelming Majority to the Select Few

Sport has high social valence and is a primary context for physical activity for the majority of youth. Moreover, the number of youth competing in sports at national and international levels continues to increase. As a consequence of emphasis on sport, many children and adolescents are encouraged to begin specialized, systematic training in a sport at relatively young ages with the goal of attaining elite status. Of course, it is not clear if it is the youngster’s goal or that of his/her parents, coaches and/or sports system. Focus on elite young athletes, or young athletes aspiring for elite status, often detracts from the potential importance of organized sport in the lives of all children and adolescents. The highly talented are a very visible minority whereas the overwhelming majority of youth who participate and never attain elite levels pass under the radar. Unfortunately, attention and often resources, as well as commentaries in the print and electronic media, focus on the exceptional minority! The purpose of this review is twofold. First, it considers organized youth sport in the lives of children and adolescents who fill the rosters of programs throughout the world, i.e. the majority. It specifically addresses the following question: Do organized sport programs for youth meet their stated objectives? Second, it considers sport programs for elite, the select, highly visible minority, in terms of the rush to early specialization and potential consequences of being labeled talented at a young age. Background