Will you let your kid play football?

Question

I just read this article about kids who play American football from a young age. Quick excerpt...
"Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that former National Football League (NFL) players who participated in tackle football before the age of 12 are more likely to have memory and thinking problems as adults. The study contradicts conventional wisdom that children’s more plastic brains might recover from injury better than those of adults, and suggests that they may actually be more vulnerable to repeated head impacts, especially if injuries occur during a critical period of growth and development."
http://www.futurity.org/nfl-youth-football-847382/

So, will you allow your child to play tackle football if he/she wants? (For the non-U.S. ladies, consider another tackle sport, like rugby, to answer this.)

Answer

I would probably discourage football and cheerleading due to the concussion risk, but not outright disallow it.

Answer

This is a hard question for me, I come from an athletically gifted family but because of my mom's religion we were not allowed to play organized sports. I wouldn't want to deny my son the opportunity if he was really interested. I do understand the brain damage implications, so maybe I would make him research and report to me on what happens to pro-football players later in life and once he was fully informed I'd let him make the decision.

Answer

I don't have children but I feel like when I do I'm going to be that crazy mom thats overly protective :p I would love it if they were to play chess for their sports... but you have to let kids be kids and let them try whatever sports tbey want to. You cant keep your kid safe from everything.

Answer

I love football, but honestly, I'd rather my child play almost any other sport.  I'd be okay with flag football, but I think tackle has way too high of a concussion risk.

Answer

Are yous talking about American football? I can't stand that game, too much force and just no. If you mean Soccer then yes.

Answer

If my children wish to play these types of sports, I will encourage them too. Of course I would be worried the whole time, but it's what they want to do. They willbe told the risk. And if they still choose to play, awesome.

Answer

My grandpa played professional football and ended up passing away kind of young with complications from Alzheimer's. My dad played football through high school and college, he is worried he will have the same fate. Maybe it's genetic, but for my family we feel the constant blows to the head weren't helpful. None of my nephews are allowed to play football and if I'm ever blessed with a son he won't either. That being said, we are a football family so we do still enjoy watching, just turns my stomach watching some of those hits.

Answer

My boyfriend is a football coach. I already accepted that my baby is going to come out with a football in hand.

Answer

Football really isn't that big in Canada. The sports kids play here are Lacrosse and obviously hockey. Kids start playing hockey at around 5, right when they learn how to skate. I don't think they start to check until about age 12 though.

Answer

Weird I just typed this out. But in short form.. I will stick my kids in organized little kid sports (Unless they dont want to). Later on I won't encourage it because I want them to focus on school and college. But I won't hold them back of they are determined to do it.

Will you let your kid play football?

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