A DEVELOPMENTAL OVERVIEW OF CHILD AND YOUTH SPORTS IN SOCIETY

This article provides a brief review of sport participation for childr en and adolescents from psychological, physical, and social developmen tal perspectives. The following areas are reviewed: the relationship b etween normal developmental readiness and sporting participation; the potential positive and negative aspects of athletic participation for the child and adolescent; the effects of sporting participation on sel f-concept; potential adverse physical and psychological effects; recen t research regarding motivation for youth sports participation; propos ed recommendations for guidelines in youth sport programs; a social pe rspective on sports in the United States; the current and future role of child and adolescent psychiatrists; and future challenges for sport psychiatry.