Couldn't a parent bar thier son from playing football until he is 18?

[bluestateguy]

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't a child need a parent's signature to pay Pop Warner or youth football? And to play in Jr. high or high school, isn't a parent's signature required?

So if I'm a parent who does not want my son mangled by this horrible game couldn't I just withhold my signature until he becomes an adult--at which point it would be too late to start learning the game anyway.

[questionseverything]

1. no child can play in any organized sport w/o their parents permission

you are correct

[exboyfil]

2. I would say yes

Other than physical abuse, withholding basic necessities and/or preventing a child from getting an education, you can do pretty much do what you want with him/her. Of course the other parent would also have a say. I would assume that if the parents are still married, then one parent would always have the right to veto an activity.

If I had a son, I would never let him play football.

[hlthe2b]

3. of course you could...

I can understand your wanting to, as well...

Of course your kid may resent you for it. Then again, responsible parents have to expect that on occasion.

And, yes, I am sure there are many who feel differently on this issue, but....

[LiberalArkie]

4. Yes, but what parent doesn't want their child to be a rich pro football player though?

[Go Vols]

9. I'm taking LSU-7

[LiberalArkie]

13. That is one game I don't say anything about. one side of family LSU one side Longhorn and

another Razorback. Nope mouth stays shut. Can not get me involved at all.

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. Aspirational parents have some odd ideas about what being an actual parent entails.

If your kid really wants to play sports, it is usually best to support him or her to the best of your (and their) ability.

Producing a new adult isn't a craft project. They have their own ideas.

[Ex Lurker]

6. I played football. I enjoyed it. I didn't get mangled

But yes, you have ultimate authority over which activities your minor children participate in.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Few Do Get Mangled

Of course, the vast majority only do it for a few years, maybe as little as 3. The preponderance of HS players don't go to college to do it and the vast preponderance of college players don't go to the pros.

So, getting all messed up playing football is mostly the cumulative effect, which gets worse as the opposing players get bigger, stronger and faster.

Now, i never played, because while i was faster than the average bear, i was pretty little. Geez, i didn't even stop growing until shortly before i was 20. And i went to a private HS that was a football fatory. College scholarships by the handful every year at that place. So, there was no place for a little fast guy anyway.

You didn't get mangled. Most high school players don't. I would have been killed.

[FLPanhandle]

7. You may not always like what your teen wants to do

My youngest daughter did 3 years of cheerleading. I didn't really like the idea and cheerleaders get injured about as often as football players.

However, it's what she really wanted; she had straight A's; good friends.

Sometimes you must give them the freedom of their choices. The kids that are never allowed to do what they want seem to go nuts when they finally escape mom/dad.

[JI7]

10. i think the problem is more likely to be the other way around

With parents wanting their kid to do these things even if the kids don't.

[LittleBlue]

11. Yes, you can. Then again, they don't have to talk to you again as adults

If they think you've ruined their chance to play college ball, you might get a card from them on Christmas when your son decides he'd rather go to his girlfriend's hometown.

Frankly, I'd put as much distance as possible between an overbearing parent and myself. If you want a relationship with your son based on power and control, he will certainly learn that lesson to use against you later.

[KamaAina]

12. Who gets mangled by the Beautiful Game?

The other kind of football, the one played by Cristiano Ronaldo et al.

[Codeine]

15. The only real sport!

Except Formula 1.

And rally.

And rallycross.

Okay, one of only FOUR real sports!

[SoCalDem]

17. Unfortunately, our son !

He loved soccer and was good enough to be drafted by a club team..was a top player who was always targeted and unfortunately injured:

2 knee surgeries..1 ankle surgery..2 concussions (one with peripheral vision loss for hours

he was actually choked to near loss of consciousness DURING the game..police were called..

Unfortunately there were often scouts from Central American pro-teams present so the teammates of the opposition teams played some vicious games..

He still loves the game, but does not miss the owwwwies

He gets his soccer-fix by going to World Cup...

[SheilaT]

14. Do what you think is right for you and your kid.

It's my opinion that all too often very young kids get pushed into what's essentially a professional level of sport, long before that should happen. But it's certainly possible for kids to play at a more fun level, although by junior most players, parents, and coaches are taking it pretty seriously.

My kids weren't very interested in sports, and we didn't encourage a lot of interest. As an adult my younger son has discovered Ultimate Frisbee, which he's pretty good at and just loves.

If your son is really, really interested in playing, and has the size and the skill to do reasonably well, you could create a huge rift in your relationship if you totally forbid him to play. Do consider lots of aspects. You could simply hold off until 7th or 9th grade, still young enough to learn, but maybe mature enough to have an accurate assessment of his own skills.

It's not an easy decision either way.

[snooper2]

16. yes, and a parent could say no sports or anything after school and ban TV from the house

Part of the whole, being a parent thing-

My daughter at six now is well aware of what her interests are and I try to help promote those in any way I can

[Codeine]

18. Sure, but if my boy really wanted to play

If probably let him even though I can't stand the sport.

Luckily he seems to have zero interest in it, preferring soccer.