Write an argumentative essay for or against viewing sports figures and celebrities as positive role models.

Here this is a two part answer there are too many words for one answer.

Make sure you combine the second part.

Explanation:

   Argumentative Essay

               Argumentative Essay

Would you trade some manageable risk of temporary physical injury in childhood for a lifetime of proven rewards, both mental and physical?  I would!  And I am!  My secret weapon is competitive youth sports.  There are certainly some downsides and risks, but as this paper will show the pros outweigh the cons.  Youth sports are an important part of kids’ lives because they provide vital health benefits, improve social interactions, and have a proven track record of academic and cognitive benefits.

The many health benefits of youth sports cannot and must not be ignored.  Obesity is a national health crisis.  According to the Commonwealth Fund, 40,000 people die each year due to excess body weight.  We’re not just talking about adults either.  The New York Times points out that “about a third of high school students are overweight or obese.”  This is a problem that will keep getting worse unless we make it better, and a UCLA study points out that we’re not making it better by watching what we eat. But youth sports can help!  A leading medical journal on pediatrics concluded that “team sport participation had the strongest and most consistent inverse association with weight.”  Additionally, The New York Times says that “teenagers can significantly lower their likelihood of being overweight or obese by playing on at least one high school sports team but preferably two or more.”

The positive impact of youth sports goes beyond physical health.  It turns out young athletes aren’t just training their bodies, but also their ability to interact socially.   I play youth sports and I can tell you getting activity and bonding with teammates will not only boost your confidence but will up your game on the field and at school. Stanford’s Children’s Health says youth sports can have a positive impact on “social skills development, self-confidence, sportsmanship, fun and enjoyment, and friendship.”  Speaking from personal experience, I’ve found sports provide a great way to make new friends and a healthy opportunity to socialize.  I feel that this allows me to get to know my teammates better and make friendships I otherwise might not have made.   A Michigan State University study agrees, saying “kids who participate in organized sports have better interpersonal skills, are more team oriented.”

We all know that we need certain skills to get us through life and set us up for success.  Youth sports can also help set us up for success when it comes to academics and college preparation.  The Public School Review notes “through competition, teens establish a solid work ethic that values practice and rewards determination. teenagers enhance skills in self-reliance and team interaction, and develop new structures of self-motivation, discipline, and personal responsibility.”  The same source also mentions a book by Metzl & Shookhoff  that states “while teens adopt an array of new and enhanced skills through participation in athletics, teens even more notably become more rounded college applicants.”  Finally, on a biological level, studies show that  “regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory and thinking skills”--definitely a big help when it comes to academics!  I would agree with this claim as I feel like a better student during parts of the year where I am actively participating in sports.