Although I have never been much of an athlete, I do enjoy watching sports. Since I can remember my dad has always watched sports on television. In his younger years he would play on teams, nothing too big, but just for the love of the game. I grew up around that. My dad's brothers were all about assimilating to the max within the American culture, they focused more on football. That also was brought into play with my up bringing. I remember being in ECE and my dad buying me a Broncos shirt, we were going to the Super Bowl. Here you have a four year old girl wearing a blue and orange shirt, walking around, unknowingly rooting for the team.
Within the reading it mentions that kids are put into sports at a young age because parents believe they will learn "basic values of American society and it builds character". So what exactly are we teaching these kids? What have we been taught? Aside from being competitive in everything we do? I do believe that sports create a sense of unity, if and when people are cheering for the same team. Also the aspect of working together is also crucial in this.
Our athletes are idolized by millions, sometimes more than they should be. Looking at the pay they get for playing these sports is insane, the numbers are huge. But, at the same time it is partly our fault for condoning their games and buying into their sponsors' clothes, brands, food, energy drinks, etc. These athletes also get to be respected, even more so when they win. Currently we have Manning at an all time high pedestal, walking around town you see so many people wearing the jersey with an "18" on it; down the line some of that money is going to him.
At the end of the day, sports is a giant business. So, in a way, yes, American sports are teaching us basic values of our culture. Because these days, everything is a business under another business under another business.
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