Participating in a sport at an early age can be essential to the overall growth process during a child's education. Whether participation is through some sort of organized league or simply by meeting among friends and playing, the lessons learned from this can help teach these children and provide them with a positive message as they grow up. There is a point, however, where organized sport can hinder progress, which is when adults get too involved and forget the underlying reason they are helping. While adult involvement is necessary, sometimes adult involvement can send the wrong message to children when they try to make participation more than just fun and learning. According to Coakley (2009), “organized sports are worth the effort made by adults, as long as they do what is in the best interests of their children and put this thought above their own agenda” (Coakley, p. 151). . This is a valid argument because once adults confront children and their values, they need to reevaluate why they got involved in the first place. Participation in organized sports and activities from a young age can be beneficial to children's overall development, as long as decisions are made in the best interests of the children and do not arise from ulterior motives of adults. Coakley (2009) begins the chapter by introducing how participation in organized sports came about and how gender roles played an important role early on. He describes how most of the programs were aimed at kids with the hope that involvement would prepare them to become productive in the economy. The girls were usually ignored and ended up sitting in the stands watching their brothers play...... center of paper ......al-violence-and-youth-sports.htmlLauer L., Gould D., Roman N., Pierce M. (2010). Parental behaviors that influence the development of junior tennis players. Sport and Exercise Psychology, 11, 487-496. Lazar K., Gardner J. (2009, October 19). Police investigate violence on playing fields. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from the Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/19/wilmington_parent_injurei_after_spat_with_pop_warner_coachSink M. (2002, January 31). HOCKEY; Youth match postponed after parents fight. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/01/sports/hockey-youth-game-postponed-after-fight-by-parents.htmlStein G., Raedeke T ., Glenn S. (1999). Children's perceptions of parental involvement in sport: It's not how much, but to what extent. Journal of sport and behavior, 22, 591-601.