1 Esther Valenzuela

Esther Valenzuela

Jorge Cerna

Humanities Class

23 May 2019

Soccers Concept of Oppurtunity

Soccer is a profitable sport that serves a countless number of purposes for not only our country

but the entire world. Besides its recreational, health significance and competitive atmosphere, it

also holds a history of culture and therapeutic approaches to mental health; this going hand-in-

hand with the issue of poverty.

Soccer is the world's most popular sport. It’s a national sport of most European and Latin

American countries and many other nations. The World Cup is held every four years. “This is

evidenced by the fact that only 13 countries participated in the first-ever World Cup in 1930:

seven from South America, four from Europe and two from North America.” (Evan Kiesow)

Families have a lot of impact around competitive players, together as a community creating an

environment like any other; truly accepting wins and failures. They share the same feelings of

honor or failure and react accordingly. In 2010 a combined television audience of more than 26

billion watched footballs premier tournament, the quadrennial month long World Cup finals.

This displays the importance that most communities take to make this sport a priority.

Hooliganism among soccer fans is a leading cause of violence in the game. Soccer makes

people ecstatic causing rude and insulting comments to be made towards players abrupting the
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game. Showing this type of violence and destructive behavior from spectators at events creates

conflict between teams. People together engaging to follow up with certain teams and further

starts conflict. This is when fans begin to get aggressive and start mistreating the game and the

players, usually making insulting comments that further damage players’ self esteem and

performance at the game. This is something that players have to deal with in order to get to the

pays that they want to be at.

Can sports help young people heal from trauma? Therapeutic and Mental health is a

really big part of sports and one of the reasons why playing a sport improves that player’s mental

state. Physical activity can often help prevent and manage mental health problems. Physical

activity is shown to have a strong impact and positive influence on mental health and sometimes

mental illness. Sports regularly helps increase self esteem and reduces stress and anxiety. Sports

are a form of therapy that can help release some weight off your shoulders. Participation in

sports also helps reduce risk of obesity, when increased in fitness healthy growth of bones and

muscles are produced for a great childhood (The Atlantic). Because the sport of soccer is such a

worldwide sport children usually tend to play this sport to pass the time and create community.

Soccer is one of the most played sports by children. This sport is a form of therapy and when

played it's a time of release when they can destress and release any anxieties they may be holding

on to. Playing sports and going outside are great ways to obtain air and further explore nature.

Physical activity can be used in treatment for depression and be used as a standalone treatment or

as a combination therapy with medication or psychological therapy. Strong evidence exists

showing a 20-30% reduction in depression in adults who participate physical activity daily and

can also be helpful for treating clinical anxiety. Mental health is also often seen in children in
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minority groups such as LGBT groups, children searching for approval from others that will

accept who they are completely. These children are often targeted and vulnerable to verbal abuse

within their household and therefore use sports as a strategy to release past traumas. Professional

athletes tend not to seek support for mental health problems. This is because of stigma and lack

of understanding about this topic and its influence on the performance. There is also a stereotype

that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Players should use a different approach to

understanding the different cultures of this elite sport. This is a great way to teach youth to learn

to cope with anguish.

Moving to the topic of poverty, this a situation that is often seen in multicultural

communities. Many children not having the opportunity to use better equipment for this sport

often play soccer barefoot. This I believe shows that these kids’ desire to play a sport with

endless opportunities within society. Therefore with this open wide sport there is endless

possibilities to better yourself and even become a pro athlete. Creating a different perspective of

what playing a sport as a pro can help families with nothing to accomplish so much more.

Knowing that to these kids this isn't just a spot this is there life, something that takes them to a

better place. It's nothing but a dream. Working together to create a continuity of care for our

youth, seen as a social services to better the opportunities to move forward and together all to

make it to where we want to be and were meant to be.

In conclusion, Soccer has always been a sport that helps others interact with each other and

further building a community to help impact that future of our generations. This is seen very

often within younger generations, the idea that sports are more than just a game. There is a
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deeper, much more important meaning behind it. These are things that make a person who they

are and who they want to be in the future. This game of soccer producing the outcomes of future

pro soccer plays in a healthy state of mind, in which they can enjoy what they do for a living.

The Atlantic/ When Did Competitive Sports Take Over American Childhood?

September 20, 2013, June 03, 2019

The New York Times/How a Soccer Star Is Made. June 02, 2010, June 03, 2019

The New York Times/Soccer, June 03, 2019, June 03, 2019

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Home, June 03, 2019