Social Context of Parenting & Educational Programs
Sports Parenting Exists Within A Broader Social Context
A review of the available literature highlights that sports parenting isn’t solely focused on the child. A parent’s positive management of relationships with coaches, other parents, and sports organizations is an important component of good sports parenting. Research suggests that negative relationships between parents and coaches create a negative environment for young athletes and hinder their development (Milan, Knight, et al., 2024).
Additionally, parents influence peer relationships by modeling sportsmanship and respect. Encouraging teamwork and a positive attitude contributes to a healthy sports environment for everyone involved.
Parental Educational Programs Are Promising, But Need More Evaluation
Given the challenges of being a sports parent, the effectiveness of parent educational programs is increasingly being explored. These programs teach parents how to provide positive support, reduce stress, and foster a positive sports environment for their young athlete.
A systematic review found that these programs can improve parental support and reduce stress and anxiety for children and parents (Milan, Knight, et al., 2024). Most of these programs focus on:
- Communication strategies
- Emotional regulation
- Understanding child development
- Creating positive motivational climates
These programs have shown promising results, but the literature notes that few have been rigorously evaluated, so more research is needed to establish best practices.
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