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You Get What You Pay For

Recently, I have seen many articles floating around social media sites claiming that competitive youth sports are not worth the steep prices and excessive hours that you must dedicate to them in order to truly succeed. Of course, included in this list was competitive gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading. While I understand that at times families must dedicate a lot of time and resources to these activities, I completely disagree with the statement that it is not worth it.

As a dancer growing up, I learned the following invaluable traits and lessons:
  • Discipline
  • Patience
  • Humility
  • Sometimes you don't get everything you feel you deserve
  • You shouldn't give up when things get hard, you should push harder
  • You are your own best advocate
  • True satisfaction from becoming a better athlete and person
  • Treat others, especially your superiors, with genuine respect
  • Use your failures to motivate you, instead of discourage you
  • Envy is your worst enemy 
These lessons translated into everything I did, from school to my job, I never "marked" anything and truly never settled. Despite facing many obstacles, I constantly looked for opportunities to improve. In return, I received an almost a full scholarship for academics in college, in addition to the scholarship I received from being a member of the Dance Team. Now, I am able to pursue my education and help pay for it by doing what I am passionate about. In May, I will be walking to receive my undergraduate degree in Marketing as a student athlete, a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and with the highest honors of Summa Cum Laude. I have also had a part-time job and internship throughout my four years as a college student.

If it weren't for countless hours spend as a studio rat, I would not be who I am today. I will argue that you cannot put a price tag on teaching your children how to genuinely be good people, and certainly every penny spent on dance is an investment in your child's future. I genuinely believe children should be allowed to develop their own identities and learn how advocates for themselves. Growing up a competitive athlete was the best thing that has ever happened to me, and has shaped my pattern of successful behaviors. I thank my parents every day for allowing me, and even sometimes forcing me, to stick with dance even when it became overwhelming and tough. I understanding that every individual's experience with competitive sports is different, and every family has a different financial situation. However, I detest the idea that competitive, youth sports are not "worth it."

If you would like to read an article of the opposing view, click this link.

Comments

  1. VioletteOctober 17, 2017 at 12:17 PM

    I loved this post! I too was a dancer growing up and I have found that it has benefited me throughout my life and had such a positive impact on me! I also feel that it is important that children have an outlet to express themselves and hope that my future children love dance as much as I do!

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