Introduction
High school students should not be allowed to participate in athletics until they attain a certain age. Education and in particular college education not only plays an important role in ensuring that students are self-reliant in the future but also aid in their emotional, psychological and social growth. Athletics also serves the same purpose however it is unreliable especially due to the enormous resources they consume about time and likelihood of injury.
The reasons for the restriction
The reason put forth for the restriction of students from participating in athletics is the uncertainty associated with this sport especially as a result of the high frequency of occurrence of injuries. It is therefore important to draw a comparison between the security offered by education and that offered by athletics. Education is an abstract accomplishment as seen in its provision of knowledge and skills critical for life. These values are attained as a result of continuous development furthermore they can not be erased within a short period unless death occurs. It is therefore concluded that education is a permanent source of livelihood as long as an individual is of sound mind. Athletics can offer students high levels of income such an amount of money is considered high and cannot match the amount obtained through the educational process. The question that needs to be answered is what happens in case a person gets injured yet his livelihood solely depends on athletics? This highlights the need to restrict participation in athletics by high school students (Bae, Islam 1).
Physical stamina and strength
High school students do not possess the necessary physical stamina and strength required to effectively participate in sports this is attributed to the fact that they are still young thus not fully grown. It is, therefore, necessary for regulations to be drafted to limit the participation of such students in athletics. This aspect calls for the exploration of the likely repercussions in case such a process is allowed to continue (Rutstein, Jeff 94). First, such students will be forced to take supplements to attain the physical strength required to carry out to participate in athletics especially by avoiding injuries this will derail their educational process as much as it affects their physical growth. To ensure that they maintain the right psychological state such students may also engage in taking illegal drugs to be in the right state of mind. This will be disastrous to their health (Rutstein, Jeff 94).
A sporting event is seasonal
A study of the most famous athletes in the world indicates that this sporting event is seasonal. There are times when an athlete is in the best form as characterized by winning trophies and cash prizes. The contrasting scenario is also evident when an athlete is in his worst form as characterized by redundancy and inability to win trophies thus cash prizes. This may be attributed to the occurrence of injuries. What if such a stage of dismal performance continues for an indefinite period, will it hamper the livelihood of an individual? In contrasting this to the educational process it is important to appreciate the fact that once individuals gain knowledge and skills required to carry out certain tasks the issue of low season and the high season becomes nonexistent. Individuals supporting the drafting of athletes from high school insinuate that all careers experience risks of different kinds. It is however necessary for such persons to appreciate that a set of variables are assumed constant in the two careers. It is only a definite factor that brings about the difference.
Athletics and the educational process
Decision-making is a factor to put into consideration in determining the extent to which high school students are capable of making an appropriate choice regarding athletics and the educational process. The average age of high school students in the United States is fourteen; it is difficult for an individual at such a tender age to understand the impact of certain policies regarding sports and education on their lives. It should not be left to them to decide whether to participate in sports or not. This issue highlights the role played by the government, educationists, parents, and other members of the general public in determining whether athletics and education can supplement each other. It is my view that high school students are in the process of growth thus the need for relevant authority to help them through this process. It is quite difficult for a majority of them to balance between issues of the curriculum and extra curriculum activities. It is therefore in the interest of the student, community, and stakeholders in the educational and sports arena to disengage high school students from participating in sporting events till they attain a certain age (Bianchi, Greg 1). This age comes with the maturity and wisdom required to effectively balance between athletics and education. An opposing viewpoint highlights athletics as a talent that needs nurturing thus the limitation of such a process will ultimately lead to the inability of an individual to participate productively in the sporting event in the future.
Conclusion
The negative aspects associated with high school students engaging in athletics outweigh the positives. It is however necessary to acknowledge that a considerable percentage of such students are capable of achieving a perfect balance between education and athletics however it would be appropriate to cater to the needs of a majority of the students who are not capable of achieving such decision-making abilities.
Works cited
Bae, Islam. “High school athletes should go to college, not the pro level.” Silver chips. 2004. Web.
Bianchi, Greg “Age Requirement in Professional Sport.” Sport Journal. Web.
Rutstein, Jeff. The Steroid Deceit: A Body worth Dying For? 94. Custom Fitness Publishing, 2006 (1). Print.