I came across an interesting document discussing sports in America, more specifically, who does and does not play them.
A majority of adults played sports when they were younger, but most do not play anymore. While only one in four adults (25%) currently play sports, almost three in four adults (73%) aged 30+ played sports when they were younger.
I think the reasons for the drop off are fairly obvious: the work/life balance is hard to accomplish, especially for adults with children who often put the kiddos' recreational activities ahead of their own.
Researchers also point out interesting relationships concerning the economic disparities between low-income and moderate-income adults, as well as the existence of an adult gender gap that did not exist at younger ages. Most interestingly, they discuss the amount of hope parents have for their children (not the other way around) to become professional athletes and how it relates to parental income and education.
Despite the difficult odds, many parents hope their child will become a professional athlete. More than one in four parents (26%) whose high school aged child plays sports hope their child will become a professional athlete, and these views vary by socioeconomic status. Parents with household incomes of less than $50,000 a year are significantly more likely to say they hope their child will become a professional athlete compared to parents with household incomes of $50,000 or more a year (39% to 20%). In addition, parents with less education (graduated high school or less) with a high school aged child playing sports are more likely to say they hope their child will become a professional athlete (44%) than parents who graduated college (9%).
I personally am still holding out hope that I will be drafted to the NHL, though my coworkers assure me that I may have missed my opportunity by about 25 years.
The results of this polling are interesting, and I encourage everyone to think about your personal participation as a kid compared to your participation now. Do you currently take part in sports as an adult? Softball leagues, soccer, hockey, anything? Let me know!
I played soccer and tennis in school and did cheerleading, but I think that last one would be hard to find as a recreational thing, unless I wanted to revive the Jills. I am LOVING my time in my softball league, which is ironic considering I LOATHED playing the sport in high school. I also look forward to Mondays with ultimate Frisbee and would love to join a (beginners’) soccer league sometime in the future. We are lucky in that our schedules allow for us to do these sports; I’m curious to see if/how that changes in the future.
But I was definitely hesitant to join softball because I hadn’t played a real game. Ever. And honestly, I still get really nervous before each game and then when I’m up to bat. But at the end of the day, I love it. My team is full of awesome people who have coached me and taught me the rules of the game. I’m not afraid to try and give it my all, which I think is really important when you’re playing a new sport—especially a team sport where others depend on you to DO WERQ, SON! I highly recommend people try a new sport, maybe even a beer league with some cool people. I’m so glad I did!
I’ve been playing tennis about once a week for a few years now even though I never played as a kid or teen. I just hit the ball around with my dad rather than playing actual games so it’s a good cardio workout for me. He plays 5-6 times a week though!
Also just picked up rec league soccer which has been pretty fun too. It takes a team sport/activity to get me out because if it’s just me and a gym, I’ll cave in 9 times out of 10.
My dream is to save up enough disposable income to get into hockey. Played tons of street hockey as a kid but never any league play. I think I’d have more fun with it given my skill level is better at that than any other sport I know.
We are dying to get into a beginner soccer league!! And I completely agree about the team-accountability thing. If a team is relying on me to be there and play games, I’m so much more likely to go. But if I have to get myself to the gym or outside for a run, I am way more likely to find chores to do, activities to fill my time, or Netflix to binge watch.
I hope you get into hockey! Jon’s having a lot of fun with it. Though it is definitely an investment, both time and money. He gets up at 6 a.m. on Wednesday to go play (but loves it!!). I don’t think he’d get up that early for anything else. Unless it’s like a flight, I hope, ha ha.