Statistically, It’s Not Likely Your Child Will Be Elite. So, What Will You do?
If you’re part of the 20% of parents who spend more than $1,000 / month on youth sports then I have to assume you want your child to be elite. Unquestionably, if you’re spending this amount of money on your child you aren’t expecting average results. The goal is for your child to develop elite talent and separate themselves from the competition.
Unfortunately, however, statistically it’s not possible for every parent in the 20% to have a child who is elite. Elite athletes are only the top 1%. So, that leaves 19% of parents spending more and getting less. The reality is that youth sports is more competitive today than it has been in any other moment in history. As a result, the average athlete today would have been a superstar 30 years ago with the same level of training. But those days are gone. The average child today is average not by any fault of their own.
With this in mind, parents who dream of their child being an elite athlete should really put things in a different perspective. As eloquently stated by writer Cheryl Butler on her blog The Unexpected Joys of Raising an Average Child:
Society has attached negative connotations to the term “average.” But the idea that average is bad couldn’t be further from the truth. As parents, we want our children to reach for the moon and the stars, but what if “middle of the road” is where they’re at and it suits them just fine?
If you don’t have a superstar in your midst, no worries. In my experience, being average is better than OK—it’s great! There are many positives to being average.
Butler’s perspective on average is extremely refreshing. I recommend that you read her entire article for yourself. As a father of two young athletes, I will be the first to admit that accepting this perspective on average is difficult. It’s counter to everything I’ve been taught through the years.
However, philosophies that lead to more happiness and productivity are just as useful as philosophies that lead to elite success. Moreover, the numbers are not in your or my favor. We have a greater chance of raising happy and productive kids than raising elite athletes in the top 1%. Therefore, changing perspective on what it means to raise an average child is the healthy and smart thing to do.