ABSTRACT
The focus on results from teams, coaches, and parents has become the principal message that young athletes receive in their sports participation. Yet, parents may lack the knowledge and tools to express their love, support, and good intentions to effectively facilitate their children’s healthy athletic development. A family systems perspective may aid in clarifying how parents impact young athletes’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in athletic contexts. J. C. Hellstedt originally described parental involvement on a continuum, ranging from under-involvement to over-involvement. The youth-sport culture has led parents to believe that early specialization is a competitive advantage and a requirement for later success in a sport. In addition, consultants can help parents understand the divergent influence that healthy and unhealthy values have on their children in terms of their motivation, enjoyment, and performance, and guide parents in adopting those that are positive and affirming of their children’s sports participation.
