By Demetris Constantinou CPA, Contributor
While many think of social responsibility in sports as a recent phenomenon, it actually dates back to the Byzantine empire. Chariot riders once requested Emperor Justinian to pardon their followers, leading to weeks of rioting and bloodshed. Fortunately, today’s social responsibility does not involve violence, but the principle remains the same. Athlete social responsibility means athletes, as role models and influencers, have a duty to positively impact society and their communities.
This article aims to understand why raising socially responsible kids is essential in sports parenting. We will explore how parents can raise responsible adults and provide tips for developing characteristics young athletes should cultivate to become socially responsible professionals. While this is not a parenting blueprint, it highlights the importance of cultivating certain behaviours in young athletes.
Raising Socially Responsible Kids
Raising socially responsible kids is intriguing, but why is it so important? Are there benefits beyond self-satisfaction? The answer is simple, though many parents overlook teaching their young athletes the virtues of social responsibility. The most obvious reason for raising responsible athletes is to grow moral and ethical adults with strong values that guide them through life. Though these values may seem cliché, they are crucial for athletes, who constantly test their limits. Sports is not for the faint-hearted; without core values, no athlete can reach the top. There’s also a more cynical reason why young athletes should practice social responsibility: the benefits it brings.
This helps with an athlete’s image and fanbase
Being a socially responsible athlete is now a strategic part of an athlete’s image and a powerful tool for building their future fanbase. Regardless of an athlete’s performance, fans remember those who go beyond sports and support their communities. A prominent example is NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t played since 2016 but is known for his civil rights stance. Kaepernick’s example shows that social responsibility can sometimes be more powerful than the sport itself, reaching people outside the sports community. Building popularity is a great return for social responsibility, but the story doesn’t end there.
Currently, 40% of sports viewers belong to Generation Z, which emphasizes social justice and responsibility more than older generations. As sports fans shift from Gen. X and Millennials to Gen. Z, social responsibility will become a prerequisite for athletes to engage with this growing fanbase.
How to achieve this
Having explained why raising socially responsible athletes is essential, let’s now look at how to achieve this, knowing that every child is different and families have diverse backgrounds. Parents must choose whether to adopt a rigid or lax approach or combine both.
Lax Approach
In a lax approach, parents allow children to explore issues close to their hearts and discover which causes they feel passionate about. In contrast, a rigid approach involves teaching children about the world’s problems and how they can help. Ideally, parents will blend both approaches based on the child’s age and state of mind. Regardless of the method, parents should aim to plant the seeds for socially responsible adulthood. These seeds include cultivating behaviours, raising awareness, and encouraging participation in social responsibility activities.
Children quickly absorb what they are taught, so it’s the parents’ responsibility to instil ethics, morality, kindness, and empathy. These behaviours take time to develop but grow gradually through life examples. Children learn by observing their surroundings, so it’s vital that parents practice these values and model them. These traits form the foundation of social responsibility and will lead to meaningful action as children mature into athletes or professionals in any field.
Raising a child’s awareness
Raising a child’s awareness is also crucial in their development into socially responsible adults. Awareness teaches children that the world is bigger than their own community, exposing them to global issues and differences. This awareness is essential because it helps children step out of their bubble and understand challenges beyond their immediate environment. A child with awareness grows into an athlete who sees the world clearly, making better decisions when it comes to social responsibility causes and actions. In contrast, children raised in isolation struggle to understand societal problems and act to address them.
Volunteering in Social Responsibility
One of the best ways parents can cultivate responsibility and awareness is by encouraging children to volunteer and engage in social responsibility from a young age. This should be an encouragement, not a forceful act. Ideally, parents can volunteer with their children, turning it into a family activity that fosters memories of giving back. Children involved in volunteering experience first-hand the satisfaction of contributing to society and learn its importance.
These experiences not only help develop the right characteristics but also create lasting memories that guide children toward becoming influential sports professionals. It’s essential for parents to encourage social responsibility through values and principles, but also to take part in action, helping children experience the real impact of their contributions.
In conclusion, while the above suggestions offer general guidance on raising socially responsible athletes, they should not be seen as a strict parenting blueprint. Every child develops uniquely, and parents have their own methods. We hope that after reading this article, parents will incorporate these principles into their practices, fostering young athletes who grow into socially responsible professionals in sports.
The Money Smart Athlete® Blog is established and run by the Sports Financial Literacy Academy® (SFLA). Through its education programs the SFLA has the vision to financially educate and empower athletes of all ages to become better people, not just better athletes. For more information on our courses, our SFLA Approved Trainer Program®, and how they can benefit you and your clients, please get in touch with us at [email protected].