Youth Football Participation in Decline

No doubt there are several factors involved in the decline in youth participation, the concussion issue certainly doesn't help and the more we know the more impact it's going to have in the long run.

Not sure bad parenting is to blame though, Pop Warner partipcation only started falling off in the last couple years per the article.

Sorry Matt I was referring to the comment of increased use of technology in the house. That has lead to an outlet that wasn't present when we were kids. It may be more prevelant in declines in participation in sports as a whole. But the article does say it is a recent trend (since 2011) suggesting a current event.

Also, with school budget cuts you might see lack of participation in Jr High or HS football. Some districts are pay to play.

im just guessin here but i dont think the decline of pop warner football has as much to do with concussions as it seems.

youth baseball has been on the decline as well.

i think it is because of playstations and xboxs and all these other activities kids can do to take up their time. when i was a kid youd find a stick that looked like a gun and run off into the woods with your buddies until mom called dinner.

its just a different youth culture now. i think most parents dont really care what their kids are doing as long as they arent bothering them. its easier to let your kid rot in a dark room with the tv on than to get involved, spend money and drive your kid to practice and games 6 days a week.

as a side note - i read a good article on how church/religious attendance is way down. peope thought it was bc of the church looking intolerant and exclusive but the article argued that it is bc there isnt a social stigma anymore for not attending church. in the 40's 50's 60's and 70s, if a family didnt attend church the town talked. now it doesnt matter, there is no social pressure to join. thats why in the 40s 50s 60s people were called "fake christians". well nowadays people dont have to fake it, they just dont go.

I agree for the most part, but my nephews play COD, but are heavy into sports still. They tend to play soccer and basketball. I can see football being phased out in another 2-3 generations to be honest. Once the education bubble pops in terms of higher ed, the money is going to run dry for the NCAA, as no kids will be able to afford college.

I wonder if in 50 years football will at the same point horse racing and boxing are today.

The video game consoles, the school budget crunch, the injuries and deaths sustained, the higher ed bubble, all are going to be factors in bringing down football. Also, I don't think our leaders want any form of aggression to be taught or instilled in kids at all.

The video game consoles, the school budget crunch, the injuries and deaths sustained, the higher ed bubble, all are going to be factors in bringing down football. Also, I don't think our leaders want any form of aggression to be taught or instilled in kids at all.

Plenty of aggression in politics, video games, and the news.

Plenty of aggression in politics, video games, and the news.

I agree, its not about too much aggression, its about too many head shots turns a kid's brain to mush by the tme he's 35.