Young Athletes Face Prejudice, Barriers
In a world where natural talent, hard work, and ambition are lauded goals, I am always struck by the double standards that exist for young athletes who exemplify this modern ideal. Take for the moment, the case of Jean Carlos Chera and Richard Sandrak. Jean is a soccer player from Brazil, Richard is a body-builder from the United States.
Both appear to have exceptional ability, and both would like the chance to compete with adults in their fields. Yet the mention of their cases, and their possibilities immediately is met with comments such as this about Jean:
Jesus, talk about robbing the cradle. Let the snot nosed brat be a kid for a little bit of time.
And this about Richard:
Absolutely disgusting.
There is something…wrong…about this.
I mean, what’s the motivation of the parents to push for this stuff? Do they get kicks from having the strongest son on earth? Are they trying to compensate their mediocrity by making their baby do hundreds of push-ups a day? Do they just want their 15 minutes of fame?
Of course if the parents are forcing this on him, it definitely would be a problem. But I have seen no indication so far that it’s the case. Everything I’ve read seems to show that Richard genuinely enjoys being a body-builder. Yet people automatically assume something foul is afoot when youth are successful.
I’m not sure what rules there are for body-building, but it seems European soccer clubs aren’t allowed to use non-EU players on their first teams until they turn 18. Every time one of these young athletes emerges, there is much hand-wringing about allowing them to play or compete. Just look at the controversy about allowing LeBron
James go from high school into the NBA directly. There is a national uproar every time it happens. Why I wonder?
After having seen part of PBS’ new documentary on the black boxer, Jack Johnson, I think I may understand the reason. Society accepts as a matter of faith that youth are inferior in most every way to adults. Allowing young people the chance to compete directly with adults in sport is a direct challenge to this notion of superiority. Just as in Jack Johnson’s time, when white boxers refused to face him.
This kind of self-fulfilling prophecy is the shelter of every bigot, be it the racist, the sexist or the ageist. The belief is that youth are stupid, immature, weak, and incompetent deliberately becomes an unassailable position, because those who hold it refuse to recognize those exceptional individuals who shatter these negative expectations. If a group is never allowed the chance to challenge a stereotype, then how can that stereotype be valid?
What bugs me further, is when a young person finds a way to break out and compete on an equal stage, and excels, then critics immediately start to nitpick and find fault. Looking for any excuse - any - to prove the person’s immaturity or lack of ability. Athletes are put under much higher scrutiny and pressure because of this bias against them, and no doubt many crack under the added pressure.
This again compares to Jack Johnson. After he was finally allowed to compete with whites, his critics instead turned to picking apart his personal life. Cavorting with white women, drinking, and a high lifestyle were constantly held against him, and ultimately led to his downfall. While his power in the ring was unassailable, that no longer mattered, they found something new to attack him with.
Look at any NBA star to come out of high school, if they are the slightest bit cocky, or if they trash-talk, or have a raucous personal life (i.e. behave like any other professional athlete) the critics fall over themselves to label the player as immature and childish, and not ready for the big leagues. They again call for a ban of high school players.
Finally, there is always the contention that we should “just let kids be kids”. What the hell does that mean? Oh, actually I might have an idea. Its like “just let women be women” and not allow them the burden of getting a job and entering the real world. Surely male duties of working and voting are unfair demands upon the delicate flower of womanhood. So too with youth. A women’s place is in the home; a youth’s place is in the school. How about instead of “just let kids be kids” we switch to “just let kids follow their dreams wherever they lead”. Isn’t that the principle that made America great?