SUMMER2014
19
"In today's society what parents do is say, 'You know
what? I'm not going to make my kids do anything
around the house. They don't have time. They need
to be studying.' Well, that's great. We've made them
proficient at test taking."
Some parents of teenagers, who want to work,
do not allow their kids to get jobs because parents
fear the job will affect academic performance.
Some parents compensate their children for doing
homework and earning good grades, which, Jeff
believes, takes away an opportunity for the teenager
to gain confidence.
If she would have gotten a job, she would have
mastered simple tasks like mopping a floor or making
sandwiches or working a cash register. Then, after
some time, the kid may be promoted. She may even
get to train a new hire. Mastering these tasks, moving
up in the workplace, even if it's fast food, gives kids
confidence. When they get their first paycheck, they
learn even more, like the difference between net and
gross and what the tax rate is. These are not lessons
they can learn in school. "They understand a work
ethic–they have to perform, or they can't keep their
job. You can fail as a student and stay a student.
There's no serious repercussion in the immediate;
it's all long-term."
Because the child has structure and discipline and is
an important part of something bigger than himself,
because the child is competent to perform certain
tasks and, therefore, has confidence. The child
experiences self-worth and feels valuable. Coaches–of
flag football, baseball, softball, soccer, or an other
sport–have the opportunity to build children's self-
esteem in these three ways.
Jeff is the Director of Strategic Development for Parisi
Speed School and Executive Director of the American
Instructional Football League.
