Lisa Wilson Stricks
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Whatever happened to allowing a kid to be a kid? In Lisa Wilson Stricks essay she explains that hobbies are too competitive. Strick explains “doing things badly has gone out of style” (Strick 206). Many of us are consumed with daily responsibilities and we dont have time to take part in “hobbies”, but when we do engage in “our hobbies” we are expected to be perfect. If you play baseball you are expected to hit home runs every time you play. According to strick “hobbies are just another way of having fun” (strick 206). Nowadays kids get made fun off when they cant hit the ball like the other kids do.
The world of sports has gotten way out of hand. Kids are not allowed to play a sport or pick up a hobby just for the fun of it. Lisa Wilson Strick was correct when she said “we used to do things for fun or simply to relax. Now the competition you face in your hobbies is likely to be worse than anything you run into on the job” (strick 206). Many times our hobbies are more intense than our job responsibilities. When a child is forced to take part in a hobby they really dont get to enjoy it. Of course we should try to excel in everything we come to face with, but we have to realize when its too much and getting out of hand. Teaching our kids to be competitive will give them the wrong idea. According to strick “the first thing aficionados will ask is what you plan to do about shoes. Leather or canvas? What type of soles? What brand?” (strick 206). Not only do our kids want to be the “best” but they also want to have the best gear. This sends the wrong message to our young society.
Lisa Wilson Stricks essay was published in 1984 and I dont think much has changed since then. Many of our children today still want to be perfect at everything they do. When they fail they get very upset and no longer want to continue with the activity. My little cousin is currently on a football team and because he is not as good as the other little kids they make fun of him. My cousin decided that he no longer wants to be on the team. He is not planning to be a pro football player he just enjoys playing football in his free time. Strick states “you didnt have to be good at it; the point was to be fortunate enough to have the leisure time for such pursuits” (strick 206).
Many times the parents are to blame. When kids are pushed into playing the flute or swimming and when they lose of fail at a particular activity their parents get upset and ground them. The only option left for the child is to be perfect. Thats how it all starts. When I was younger my parents were very open to me playing an accordion! I hated it and it was the worst thing ever. Although I was very good at it I never really enjoyed it.
Hobbies are not meant to be something you are great at, just something for you to enjoy. It doesnt