This paper is discussing the effect of undersocialized African American Youth who have been pushed into prioritizing their athletic careers over their academic careers. And how prejudiced assumptions about them become true in regards to them prioritizing their athletic careers over their academic goals, professional interests, and sociocultural expectations in U.S. schools and neighborhoods. The article determines the experiences and perceptions of black males who play sports, particularly in terms of their educational and career aspirations because oftentimes the perceptions are found in deeply rooted ideas in society’s psyche. The article draws from various studies to explore the challenges that Black males face in balancing athletic pursuits …show more content…
While some Black male college athletes have experienced prejudice and racism from professors and universities, others have formed positive relationships with faculty members and non-athlete peers. The Scholar-Baller model is one such curriculum that supports a balanced academic and athletic identity. Black male adolescents are encouraged to pursue athletic careers by family members, peers, and their community. Some student-athletes prioritize athletic skills, leaving little time for academic pursuits. However, some researchers suggest that participation in non-athletic programs and activities can help these individuals develop leadership skills that can be used beyond sports. Researchers also highlight the career aspirations of Black male high school students, with many believing they would achieve non-athletic success, even though sports are still revered in their communities. Social class considerations must be considered in researching Black male athletes as individuals raised in advantaged households have better access to resources than those raised in less advantaged …show more content…
Their affinity for sports, particularly football and basketball, reflects the cultural phenomenon in the United States. Along with promoting football and basketball games, various apparel companies have utilized players, teams, and leagues to represent their companies. This influence, which became visible at the college and professional levels, has now permeated high school and youth sports and is becoming more visible in these athletic contexts. The confluence of the popularity of football and basketball, the high visibility and participation of Black males who play college and professional sports, and sports apparel companies’ sponsorship of athletic events and tournaments has created the culture of sports as a religious practice in many parts of the United States. Within this social context, parents, school administrators, coaches, teachers, and the adolescents’ peers have a role in shaping how young Black athletes think about sports and its importance in their
College sports are a major part of American culture. College athletes devote hours upon hours a week to their sports training, but unfortunately, sports can take up a lot of time and distract from other important activities. This can harm academics, as athletes have to balance sports and academics, especially at a college. Participating in sports is almost like working a part-time job and having to balance school too which can be difficult to do, and focus may be rendered on one task and not both. Furthermore, athletes will be on scholarships too, which is why college athletes should not be paid.
Their leadership skills and exceptional academic accomplishments, however, are usually disregarded or undervalued because sometimes they are viewed as assets to the university for their athletic abilities opposed to their academic abilities. The term “student-athlete” implies that college athletes should prioritize their education in addition to athletics. In practice, a lot of athletes are forced to put their sports commitments above their academic commitments, which could potentially defeat the whole point of the term “student-athlete.” This could occur in an environment where students are seen and treated more as athletes than students could stem from athletes being encouraged to prioritize their sport above academics. An outcome of putting too much emphasis on athletic performance and development than educational or personal development, this could deprive student athletes of the benefits of attending college and receiving a college education and contradict the original meaning of “student-athlete".
A lot of sports recruits come from the inner city, country or a humble environment. Going to college is a completely new and different experience. A large portion of players are trying to adjust in the classroom and feel inferior in more ways than we care to realize. Many of the students at major universities in the United States typically come from families that have incomes that are above the national average. These players are asked to come to the college’s where they are not socially equal but they are expected to feel good about the situation and themselves.
African Americans continue to face significant challenges and a lack of opportunities that hinder their socio-economic advancement. This Write-Up explores the systemic inequities that contribute to the persistent disparities faced by African Americans in various spheres of life, including education, employment, housing, and criminal justice. The average African American youth must think either Basketball, Football or Music will give them a way out and a chance to experience the world just like everyone else. Factors that lead that conclusion include Lack of Proper Education, Employment Challenges and the Justice System One of the key factors contributing to the lack of opportunities for African Americans is the education system's inequities. Many predominantly African American neighborhoods lack adequate resources, resulting in underfunded schools, outdated facilities, and limited access to quality teachers.
On the other hand, The evolution of sports has embraced the integration of African Americans into the sports industry. Alex Hargrave from “Sports are symbolic because they represent people coming together in support of their favorite teams, and even though there is competition on the field when the final whistle blows, they shake hands and show respect toward one another” (“A Timeline of Civil Rights”). But before this African Americans faced extreme racism with Jim Crow Laws. They were excluded from being involved in most professional sports. Until the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s.
When you hear the story it is always the same. A football player who is as dumb as a rock (and that’s an insult to rocks) gets a full ride scholarship to college and just drinks and parties, while the nerdy student wants to go to college to make something of himself and has to work two jobs, tutors other people, and practically starves himself to go to the same the college . When kids turn 17 or 18 years old and they start filling out applications, this story becomes a parent’s reality. They hear left and right, this athlete was awarded a basketball scholarship or this athlete received a softball scholarship. They push their children to become an athlete just to get the extra money (Sullivan, 2016).
The History of African Americans in Baseball Baseball has become a major part of American history and culture. However, there was a period of time when white people were mainly playing baseball. Between 1865-1876, there were major changes for African Americans. The series of civil rights acts and three different constitutional amendments gave African Americans more freedom and citizenship.
This emphasizes that although athletic programs offer financial assistance to many students, the organizations do not fully cover the tuition of college. This relates directly to the argument about time management. If student athletes do not have enough time to work a job, then it translates into the funding of their education. Society often thinks that sport scholarships are given generously, when in reality they are not. Earning a “full ride” scholarship is tremendously challenging and rare.
The movie Hoop Dreams traced a poor young talented African American, named Arthur Agee from grade eight to college. Arthur hoped to play professional basketball in the future to help his family to escape poverty. Despite the fact that his family is poor, and the neighborhood he lived in, were disadvantaged to him to pursue his goal in many ways. Firstly, Arthur showed great determination to play professional basketball, and he would like to lead his family out of poverty. Secondly, his ability to adapt to difficult circumstances, played a significant role toward his success in basketball.
This notion is supported by Dr. Daniel Gould, who believes that “Children who participate in sports have increased educational aspirations, closer ties to school and increased occupational aspirations in youth” (1). People against the funding of high school sports think that parents and society are placing more emphasis than ever before and, “[P]ressures athletic personnel to deviate on winning from the athlete- centered educational and personal development mission” (Gould 1). However, athletes strive to do better in class. Michael Lorenc, a high school basketball coach believes that “those who seem to have an overwhelming schedule where they’re playing maybe multiple sports, and high academic schedules, they tend to do better than those who don’t do anything extracurricularly” (Gray). Balancing sports and school makes athletes put more effort into keeping up grades while playing the sport they love.
“The mistreatment of black athletes throughout America’s History” Throughout the early years of America’s Sports History, there was always a constant that you would see throughout the 3 major professional sports which at the time were football, basketball, and baseball, they were always segregated. Black people were never seen in these major leagues they were placed in their own separate league's things like the Negro Leagues for baseball and The Harlem Globetrotters for basketball. These types of leagues were made to keep African Americans out of the all-white professional leagues.
Gregory effectively relates to the parents and writes about common fears they have. “The dream of free college” drives parents to invest more and more into their children’s sports. As kids grow older, they soon feel the pressure to impress college scouts. Of course, Gregory relays the truth about the probability of receiving a scholarship for the top-level college sports. As a former NCAA Division I basketball player, Gregory has personal experience in the recruiting process, and his rare opportunity gives life to the “2% of high school athletes” that play at high levels like this.
These “amateur student-athletes” are held to professional standards and forced to place their sport before other academic pursuits, while their school benefits financially from their professional abilities. Basketball and football players, but in many cases, even on top of their scholarships, student athletes do not even have enough money to buy food. Full ride scholarships are not enough for many athletes, with full tuition paid for players do not receive and help playing for essentials of life like clothing and food. This forced “amateur” environment contributes to the large number of infractions committed by players. Another weakness is the
In modern society, many people find their primary source of entertainment to be sports. When they arrive from work, they would get on their couch and turn on the television. Afterward, they would start watching boxers like Mike Tyson or track and field sprinters like Usain Bolt. There is an endless amount of athletes and sports to watch from. The most important part about this is that every athlete has a different racial background.
Did you know that depending on the sport, students who play sports in college most likely have less than a 2% chance of becoming professional athletes? At middle schools, high schools and colleges across the country, everyone is arguing over whether or not students with failing grades should be allowed to play sports. In my opinion, a good education is so very important for our country’s youth, especially the athletes. Not a lot of kids are good enough to play in the top college sports programs in the country. But even those who are, still have an astonishingly low chance at making the professional leagues.