Do you think it is okay to require your kid to play a sport?

Let them try sports and if they like it, great. If not, don't force it.

I don't think there should be a law, but I think some parents should require their child to get out and do something outdoors. My child for example is into computers and gaming. We tell him he has to pick a couple of outdoor activities that are his choice. He chose soccer. If we didn't do this he would be sitting in front of a computer everyday.

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All kids should engage in some type of sport.

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What about nerds?

There's nothing wrong with nerds being required to play a sport. Open their horizons.

We make jocks read books and use computers, don't we?

And before you say "well those are required skills that allow you to function in society, and sports is optional" consider this.

You are given only one body to hold that big beautiful brain of yours for life. Ignore it at your peril.

No one has any excuse to suck at anything. It's your responsibility to yourself to not suck. Being a "nerd" or being a "jock" is not an excuse for not being a balanced human being, sound in mind and body.

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No, some kids just suck at sports. Let them decide what they're good at and support that.

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Just about every dad wants his son to play sports (can't speak for daughters. My family is all men). But not every kid will be into sports. My parents did it the right way. They brought me to the baseball and football fields and let me fall in love with sports on my own. My uncle always let me play around on his drumset too. So I fell in love with music naturally. When you force a kid to play a sport, instrument or whatever it may be, all you're doing is setting yourself up for trouble further down the road. They're gonna start rebelling to get out of it. And that establishes a rebellious mindset for them. That's how kids turn out goth, emo, etc.

But I'll support my kid no matter what he or she does. If he wants to dance, I'll support him. It's just part of being a good parent. But no matter what my kids do, they'll grow up tough. That's all I care about honestly. I just don't wanna see my kid out there blocking interstates because they don't agree with something or they're offended by something.

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No, that should be their decision.

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For some kids this is okay, but other kids fall in love with doing one thing. Like video games. If you leave it 100% up to them that is all they will do. Each kid is different. Some can have decisions left up to them. Others need to be nudged into getting out more.

I think when they are young, you should basically make them participate in sports.

When they are 4, 5, 6 they don't know what they don't know and it is a parent's responsibility to get them exposure to things, including sports.

As they get older, I think the responsibility of the parent shifts from "requiring" them to participate in sports to "encouraging" them to participate in sports and, importantly, making sure they have every opportunity to do so.

I have a 4 year old. I've basically required him to play in the community soccer and basketball leagues and will be doing the same with T-ball this summer. Even if he said he didn't want to, I'd pretty much make him at this age. When he gets older (after trying several sports), he can certainly choose.

Nope, absolutely not.
I sure as shite don't want to write computer codes all day, leave that to people who truly enjoy it. The world needs computer nerds too, not everyone is a swollen up football freak

I think you should require your kids to engage in physical activity. Sports are a natural way to make friends and learn the importance of hard work, teamwork, and practice... All of which help you throughout your life.


Parents who feed their kids nothing but fast food and teach them how to become lazy fat asses really piss me off. It's borderline child abuse IMO.