Not Just Kid Stuff
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by user Ron Sen, MD
We live in a world of conflict, yet even at home we show disrespect for the most fundamental building blocks of our society, children.
I grew up living and dying with the Boston teams, Carl Yastrzemski, Bill Russell, and Bobby Orr. I played sports competitively into college, as a very unsuccessful Division I pitcher, and competed with and against some terrific guys, including some from the neighboring town of Stoneham.
Stoneham, a sleepy, middle-class community, lacks heavy industry or a wealthy tax base, and this week voted down a tax override, killing extracurricular activities, including athletics in their community and schools. Stoneham produced outstanding baseball and soccer teams that won state championships, an undefeated basketball team in the early 1970s, and is the hometown of Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. Now what?
Ongoing expenses for police, fire, pensions, and community services have outstripped the tax base. Politicians eager to run for national office, lower the income tax, and reduce the returns to the cities and towns. Younger citizens' payroll taxes fund entitlement programs for seniors (who are not living a profligate lifestyle), who then vote against programs that benefit younger families. The widening gap between the haves and the have-nots becomes a struggle between young and old.
Older residents must decide on paying the bills and compromising their property values. What young family will move to Stoneham, a community that has just voted against its schools. Existing high school athletes either end their career, or try to transfer to private schoools, many of which already 'recruit' area athletes.
We think very little of paying exorbitant prices for star athletes, exclusive seats, memorabilia and team insignia-laden clothing, but won't support our young people.
The benefits of athletic participation for girls are well known, better grades and graduation rates, less osteoporosis and breast cancer, lower substance abuse, fewer teen pregnancies, increased self-esteem and lower depression rates.
Communities without extracurricular activity have higher dropout rates, high alcohol and substance abuse, and greater numbers of young people arrested.
When push comes to shove though, the bottom line simply becomes 'money'. And the ones who usually suffer are the kids.
Now I'm not saying that professional sports teams have any obligation to contribute to the education of our children. I contend that we have a society with misplaced priorities and short memories. "What does not kill me, makes me stronger", Nietzsche remarked. Maybe that doesn't apply to kids.
Dan Ventura
Boston Herald