tely. A report by the Associated Press shows that even a life-threatening injury did not prevent Philadelphia Eagles’ supporters from making derogatory comments towards Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver Michael Irvin, after he suffered a neck injury during a NFL 1999 game (see the image to the right). ESPN writer Bill Simmons takes a humorous approach to the issue of derisive fan noise in sports in his latest article. Although Simmons’ article provides an interesting viewpoint on the relationship between sports and booing, the column ignores the consequences of the disparaging remarks: the negative behaviors children are learning by listening to profane words and watching the rude actions of adults in their lives. As Melissa Balmain of Parenting magazine writes, children will often mimic the actions of their parents; accordingly, if role models behave rudely, then children will believe that type of behavior is socially acceptable. Federal law does allow people the right to speak as they please, but that does not mean that we should condone inappropriate behavior at sporting events. If there is no popular movement to address this problem, then the federal government should involve itself, as it has in other aspects of sports, like steroids, in order to provide a safe haven for all participants and fans. Sports have changed significantly over the last few decades, with such factors as free agency and medical advances (both legal and illegal) creating stronger athletes and decreasing team loyalty, among many other developments. As Chris Jenkins of USA Today reported in 2005, even players agree that baseball has been impacted by steroids. Accordingly, some fans feel they have not just the right, but the duty, to boo. Oftentimes, fans feel justified to express their displeasure at the rising prices to attend a game, such as $8 for parking and up to $125 for a single ticket to a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. According to Simmons, it is as if many fans feel that part of the ticket price includes the right to boo whomever and whenever they please. While the First Amendment certainly protects the right to freedom of speech, people should nonetheless exercise good judgment before speaking. Michael Bradley, in an editorial in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, justifies unconstructive fan noise in Philadelphia by saying that, “Philadelphians have suffered more disappointment and heartache than citizens of any other city.” Bradley also argues that booing is how people “do it” in Philadelphia. He could not be more incorrect; this type of behavior is inappropriate.
Simmons, Bradley, and other writers have ignored the broader significance of booing in professional sports. Countless numbers of families bond over tailgating and then going to a football game, or over attending a basketball game on a special family pack, such as the one offered by the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. It would be naïve to dismiss the impact of adults’ behavior on children at these games. While it would also be inappropriate to limit the abilities of fans’ to express their op
inions, is it truly necessary, for instance, to imbibe significant amounts of alcoholic beverages and use cuss words to address athletes? Or to throw items onto the playing surface? The answer to both of those questions, and all other examples of scathing remarks by fans, is no. Sometimes a child mimics an adult’s behavior in an endearing way, as this father suggests; other times, as former Kansas City Royals coach Tom Gamboa can attest, a parent can lead a child to disastrous results. With regards to booing, the old adage, “Do as I say, not as I do” will simply not suffice. A change of culture in the American sporting world is needed in order to present a more fitting example for the nation’s children, and all it takes is paying more attention to the appropriateness of one’s language and behavior. Although freedom of speech is an important right, children also have the right not to be bombarded with crude behavior in a public setting. American sports fans just need to ask themselves what is more important: making negative, hurtful remarks at sporting events (as seen in the image above) or raising their children properly? Maybe then the sporting world will take notice.
3 comments:
Dear MHS,
This was a very interesting topic because when I think of sports I don’t think of the psychological implications that actions of fans can have on children. It is also a difficult topic for me to decide on whether I agree with your opinions or not. I come from a Latin background where soccer (or “futbol”, as we call it) is full of fanatic, crazy, screaming, extreme fans whose very life is defined by the sport and on whether their teams wins or loses. So I grew up with the excitement and passion of seeing a sport and going to games. The booing and the cheering seem to me, as an essential part of the game – kind of like the energy that drives it. However, you DO bring up a good point in saying how children can be affected by observing such negative behavior. As you stated in your blog “if their role models behave rudely, then children will believe that type of behavior is socially acceptable”. That is a completely valid point. Since the psychologist Bandura did research on imitation of children of adults’ actions, there is no doubt that children will mimic their elder’s actions. But don’t you think there is a limit to how much adult sports fan should restrain themselves? Aren’t booing and cheering part of the excitement? For example, there is a big difference between booing and cursing after every other word. I also believe that adults should know how to discriminate between booing about a play in the game versus booing after someone has been extremely injured (which goes to the example of Michael Irvin’s injury). What I believe is that booing will not have such a negative impact on children as long as they understand that it is just part of the game and as long as the parents does not go overboard with their aggression. Also, I think it’s more important for adults to be role models to their children in their everyday lives because that is what the children are seeing on an everyday basis and that is what will impact them to a greater extent.
All in all, it was very interesting to read your post and see what you had to say in regards to a child’s development and the impact booing at sports has on them. You have great links and your style of writing is very coherent and flows quite smoothly.
NRCM
Dear NRCM,
Thanks for reading my post, and for the comment.
You bring up some interesting points. The issue is definitely complex. I definitely agree that fans should be able to enjoy the game and show their enthusiasm. However, there is a fine line between appropriate and inappropriate. And I do not believe that parents are clearly explaining what is right and what is wrong about cheering and booing, if they do choose to engage in that behavior.
Truly, it is a tough issue. I just think it is so important that role models are more cognizant of the effects of their behavior.
Thanks again for reading.
-mhs
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