12/22/24
January 28, 2003
This is a stellar article: in my opinion. It's one man's eloquent defense of the Marinoviching of his son, and how he believes he made them into better people. Along the way he asks some pretty good questions, like is pushing your kid to be a baseball stud any worse than pushing them to be a biology stud or professional cellist? n.y. times magazine, registration required
That chap seems a bit driven to me, even though he acknowledges he made mistakes. He seems to have wanted to live vicariously through the perceived success of his nippers. A grown man breaking his bat because his son doesn't want to play??? A sulky brat at best, a dangereous freak at worst. I am glad he ain't my old man. Biology stud??? roflmbo. All kids should be free to enjoy their childhood, they only have one. Apart from ensuring they are safe, fed and loved, parents should mind their own business.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:00 PM on January 28, 2003
Putting incredbile pressure on kids to become doctors or lawyers is just as wrong as putting the same pressure on them to become pro athletes. Nice argument!
posted by 86 at 04:26 PM on January 28, 2003
Having a father who was a football and basketball coach, the expectations on me to become a sports star in high school were high. Luckily my father was nothing like this man and the only expectations I had to live up to were my own.
posted by jasonspaceman at 06:47 AM on January 29, 2003
I'm surprised that his KIDS didn't break the baseball bat over HIS head.
posted by PeteyStock at 05:40 PM on January 29, 2003
Would love to hear about people's experiences either growing up or raising their own children, and the expectations for athletic excellence that might have been part of that. This dad comes across to me as eminently reasonable at times, but the epitome of the worst kind of little league dad at others. For me, my dad always encouraged me to play any sport or pursue any healthy activity I wanted. He never pressured me to pick one above others and always facilitated my endeavors, whether financially or carpooling or whatever. And growing up always playing sports taught me how to bounce back from failure.