8 Responses to “interesting statistics about parents who get out of control around the world…don’t worry the good ol’ u.s.a. is still top of the list…”
OK, it’s not like many of us really needed to see actual statistics but I found this interesting. The problem with this article is that it only outlines the problem of sports parents but really doesn’t even try to identify the CAUSE of these problems so please accept the following challenge:
Read the article and let me know why parents get out of control with coaches and officials. There are no wrong answers here. After all, we’re trying to make the world a better place so please let us know what you think. The best answers will hopefully make it on the air this Saturday 4/10.
Here is the article:
NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – April 7, 2010) – New York, NY- A new Reuters News poll conducted by Ipsos and released today indicates that four in ten (37%) adults surveyed in 22 countries (representing 75% of the worlds GDP) have been to children’s sports events and witnessed parents become verbally or physically abusive towards the coaches or officials. Two thirds (63%) indicate they have not witnessed this kind of abusive behaviour.
The survey of over 23,000 adults-1000+ respondents per country — shows that those residing in the United States (60%) are the most likely to have witnessed abusive behaviour by parents at children’s sporting events followed by those in India (59%), Italy (55%), Argentina (54%), Canada (53%) and Australia (50%).
Those countries where adults have least likely observed this kind of abusive behaviour are in Hungary (16%), Czech Republic (24%), Mexico (25%), Japan (25%) and France (26%).
The following list of findings begin with the countries where citizens are most likely to agree that they have ” been to children’s sports events and witnessed parents become verbally or physically abusive towards the coaches or officials” and ascends to those countries where citizens are least likely to agree with the proposition:
United States – 60% agree/40% disagree
India – 59% agree/41% disagree
Italy – 55% agree/45% disagree
Argentina – 54% agree/46% disagree
Canada – 53% agree/47% disagree
Australia – 50% agree/50% disagree
Spain – 42% agree/58% disagree
Belgium – 39% agree/61% disagree
Great Britain – 37% agree/63% disagree
Sweden – 35% agree/65% disagree
Germany – 35% agree/65% disagree
South Korea – 34% agree/66% disagree
Poland – 32% agree/68% disagree
China – 31% agree/69% disagree
Brazil – 31% agree/69% disagree
Russia – 30% agree/70% disagree
Netherlands – 28% agree/72% disagree
France – 26% agree/74% disagree
Japan – 25% agree/75% disagree
Mexico – 25% agree/75% disagree
Czech Republic – 24% agree/76% disagree
Hungry – 16% agree/84% disagree
Those most likely to indicate they’ve been to children’s sports events and witnessed parents become verbally or physically abusive towards the coaches or officials (37%) are more likely to be male (41%) versus female (33%), those in a higher income bracket (42%) compared to low and middle income (both at 36%) and those who are higher educated (39%) compared with those who are middle (37%) and lower (36%) educated. There is no difference in terms of marital status-38% of those who are married compared with 37% who are of “other” status.
Those least likely to indicate they’ve been to children’s sports events and witnessed parents become verbally or physically abusive towards the coaches or officials (63%) are more likely to be female (67%) than male (59%), lower and middle income (64%) compared to higher income (58%). There is no appreciable difference in age under 35 (62%) compared with those over age of 35 (63%); marital status: married (62%) compared with those who are of “other” marital status (63%); and education: lower (64%) compared with medium (63%) and higher (61%) education.
These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between November 4th, 2009 and January 13th, 2010, on behalf of Thompson Reuters News Service. For this survey an international sample of 23,351 adults aged 18-64 were interviewed in a total of 22 countries representing 75% of the world’s GDP. The countries included Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, and South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Great Britain and the United States. Approximately 1000+ individuals participated on a country by country basis via the Ipsos online panel. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the adult population according to the most recent country Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20 per country of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in that country had been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error. G@6O3_10.
Much of this problem regarding parents and abusive behavior comes from entitlement. Where does the entitlement come from and is it a societal problem of today or has the problem existed forever?
I would argue that it has always existed to some degree, but the issue has become more intensified since the indoctrination or pay-for-play organizations in youth sports. Yes, parents have always had to spend a little money on the fees for Little League or rec. sports, but now parents are shelling out thousands of dollars for their child to play on travel teams in organizations such as AAU basketball, Club Volleyball, travel baseball, etc. The time invested by these parents has also increased dramatically as well.
With the increased time investment comes the increased level of involvement of the parent not only as a fan, but as one who now watches more games. Unfortunately, many who watch dozens of their son’s or daughter’s contests year round feel that since they have watched so many of these contests (many at a perceived “higher level”), their level of expertise changes which will allow them to scrutinize coaches, officials, other players’ performance more vehemently.
Lastly, we now live in a world where blogging online sharing one’s opinion on anything for the entire world to see is common practice. Bloggers receive immediate gratification in the form of threaded responses and reactions to their point of view. Why wouldn’t parents then feel more entitled to offer their opinion at sporting events?
Excellent point, coach. Please let me know if you’ll be calling in to the show on Saturday. I’d like to discuss this with you in more detail on the air.
hello tony, i had one issue when i 1st started coaching at the varsity level 10 years ago with a parent who kept making remarks to the umps and moving his daughter around the field before pitches, from that point on i addressed my team on my policy with that and also let the parents know at a meeting, and it has been my policy ever since and i have not had one incedent..
any parent who says anything negative to anyone or tries to speak to a player during a contest, that player will automaticaly be removed from the contest no matter how important that player is to the team for the remainder of the game…for me this has been very effective..thanx coach dean-o…p.s. these type of people who cannot control themselves do not realize how much the embarress their own kids..
FOR THE EXACT REASON THAT VETERAN COACH STATED, THEY FEEL THEY KNOW MORE THAN THEY DO AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS INVESTED FOR THE WRONG REASONS…AND KEEP IN MIND MOST PARENTS FEEL THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THEY REALLY ARE…MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON TRAVEL SPORTS, PITCHING COACHES AND HITTING COACHES, PRIVATE BASKETBALL COACHES, PERSONAL TRAINERS, TENNIS LESSONS, SOCCER LESSONS AND SO FORTH WHICH IS FINE TO HELP RAISE THE LEVEL OF PLAY, BUT MANY ARE FOOLISH TO THINK THAT EQUATES TO COLLEGE MONEY AND BELIEVE ME 98 PERCENT OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT….NOT MY OPINION THOSE ARE THE FACTS..MY ADVICE TO ANY PARENT,SUPPORT ALL THE ATHLETES, HELP YOUR CHILD WHEN YOU CAN, AND SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE GAMES, BECAUSE SOON ENOUGH IT WILL BE OVER FOR GOOD AT THE END OF HIGH SCHOOL. IF I GAVE YOU A LIST OF ALL THE SOFTBALL PARENTS WHO CAME BACK TO ME AFTER THEIR KID GRADUATED AND TOLD ME THEY STRESSED THEMSELVES OUT FOR NOTHING, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM ON THIS WEBSITE..COACH DEAN-O
Much of this problem regarding parents and abusive behavior comes from entitlement which I agree with Veterancoach. It also comes from parents who never won anything when they were a kid. They don’t realize they are embarrassmen to themselves and to their kids. They think their kids are the best player on the field and they may or may not be they need to control themselves. I do not tolerate parents abusing kids I will either speak to the coach or the league officals and if I have to will remove them from the field or court. I feel these parents are taking the fun out of sports and sports are meant to be fun. You can’t win all the time someone has to lose and it may be your day. Bad calls are made not on purpose and we are only human. Kids are not being paid to play they are playing to have fun and learn how to blay the game.
great to get the official’s point of view. Nothing more frustrating to me than an official who lets the game get out of hand regarding spectators and coaches.
Well said and I hope you call in on Saturday to elaborate on this.
Let Them Play! 
OK, it’s not like many of us really needed to see actual statistics but I found this interesting. The problem with this article is that it only outlines the problem of sports parents but really doesn’t even try to identify the CAUSE of these problems so please accept the following challenge:
Read the article and let me know why parents get out of control with coaches and officials. There are no wrong answers here. After all, we’re trying to make the world a better place so please let us know what you think. The best answers will hopefully make it on the air this Saturday 4/10.
Here is the article:
NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – April 7, 2010) – New York, NY- A new Reuters News poll conducted by Ipsos and released today indicates that four in ten (37%) adults surveyed in 22 countries (representing 75% of the worlds GDP) have been to children’s sports events and witnessed parents become verbally or physically abusive towards the coaches or officials. Two thirds (63%) indicate they have not witnessed this kind of abusive behaviour.
The survey of over 23,000 adults-1000+ respondents per country — shows that those residing in the United States (60%) are the most likely to have witnessed abusive behaviour by parents at children’s sporting events followed by those in India (59%), Italy (55%), Argentina (54%), Canada (53%) and Australia (50%).
Those countries where adults have least likely observed this kind of abusive behaviour are in Hungary (16%), Czech Republic (24%), Mexico (25%), Japan (25%) and France (26%).
The following list of findings begin with the countries where citizens are most likely to agree that they have ” been to children’s sports events and witnessed parents become verbally or physically abusive towards the coaches or officials” and ascends to those countries where citizens are least likely to agree with the proposition:
United States – 60% agree/40% disagree
India – 59% agree/41% disagree
Italy – 55% agree/45% disagree
Argentina – 54% agree/46% disagree
Canada – 53% agree/47% disagree
Australia – 50% agree/50% disagree
Spain – 42% agree/58% disagree
Belgium – 39% agree/61% disagree
Great Britain – 37% agree/63% disagree
Sweden – 35% agree/65% disagree
Germany – 35% agree/65% disagree
South Korea – 34% agree/66% disagree
Poland – 32% agree/68% disagree
China – 31% agree/69% disagree
Brazil – 31% agree/69% disagree
Russia – 30% agree/70% disagree
Netherlands – 28% agree/72% disagree
France – 26% agree/74% disagree
Japan – 25% agree/75% disagree
Mexico – 25% agree/75% disagree
Czech Republic – 24% agree/76% disagree
Hungry – 16% agree/84% disagree
Those most likely to indicate they’ve been to children’s sports events and witnessed parents become verbally or physically abusive towards the coaches or officials (37%) are more likely to be male (41%) versus female (33%), those in a higher income bracket (42%) compared to low and middle income (both at 36%) and those who are higher educated (39%) compared with those who are middle (37%) and lower (36%) educated. There is no difference in terms of marital status-38% of those who are married compared with 37% who are of “other” status.
Those least likely to indicate they’ve been to children’s sports events and witnessed parents become verbally or physically abusive towards the coaches or officials (63%) are more likely to be female (67%) than male (59%), lower and middle income (64%) compared to higher income (58%). There is no appreciable difference in age under 35 (62%) compared with those over age of 35 (63%); marital status: married (62%) compared with those who are of “other” marital status (63%); and education: lower (64%) compared with medium (63%) and higher (61%) education.
These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between November 4th, 2009 and January 13th, 2010, on behalf of Thompson Reuters News Service. For this survey an international sample of 23,351 adults aged 18-64 were interviewed in a total of 22 countries representing 75% of the world’s GDP. The countries included Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, and South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Great Britain and the United States. Approximately 1000+ individuals participated on a country by country basis via the Ipsos online panel. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the adult population according to the most recent country Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20 per country of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in that country had been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error. G@6O3_10.
Much of this problem regarding parents and abusive behavior comes from entitlement. Where does the entitlement come from and is it a societal problem of today or has the problem existed forever?
I would argue that it has always existed to some degree, but the issue has become more intensified since the indoctrination or pay-for-play organizations in youth sports. Yes, parents have always had to spend a little money on the fees for Little League or rec. sports, but now parents are shelling out thousands of dollars for their child to play on travel teams in organizations such as AAU basketball, Club Volleyball, travel baseball, etc. The time invested by these parents has also increased dramatically as well.
With the increased time investment comes the increased level of involvement of the parent not only as a fan, but as one who now watches more games. Unfortunately, many who watch dozens of their son’s or daughter’s contests year round feel that since they have watched so many of these contests (many at a perceived “higher level”), their level of expertise changes which will allow them to scrutinize coaches, officials, other players’ performance more vehemently.
Lastly, we now live in a world where blogging online sharing one’s opinion on anything for the entire world to see is common practice. Bloggers receive immediate gratification in the form of threaded responses and reactions to their point of view. Why wouldn’t parents then feel more entitled to offer their opinion at sporting events?
Excellent point, coach. Please let me know if you’ll be calling in to the show on Saturday. I’d like to discuss this with you in more detail on the air.
T
hello tony, i had one issue when i 1st started coaching at the varsity level 10 years ago with a parent who kept making remarks to the umps and moving his daughter around the field before pitches, from that point on i addressed my team on my policy with that and also let the parents know at a meeting, and it has been my policy ever since and i have not had one incedent..
any parent who says anything negative to anyone or tries to speak to a player during a contest, that player will automaticaly be removed from the contest no matter how important that player is to the team for the remainder of the game…for me this has been very effective..thanx coach dean-o…p.s. these type of people who cannot control themselves do not realize how much the embarress their own kids..
Great post but why do you think this behavior occurs?
FOR THE EXACT REASON THAT VETERAN COACH STATED, THEY FEEL THEY KNOW MORE THAN THEY DO AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS INVESTED FOR THE WRONG REASONS…AND KEEP IN MIND MOST PARENTS FEEL THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THEY REALLY ARE…MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON TRAVEL SPORTS, PITCHING COACHES AND HITTING COACHES, PRIVATE BASKETBALL COACHES, PERSONAL TRAINERS, TENNIS LESSONS, SOCCER LESSONS AND SO FORTH WHICH IS FINE TO HELP RAISE THE LEVEL OF PLAY, BUT MANY ARE FOOLISH TO THINK THAT EQUATES TO COLLEGE MONEY AND BELIEVE ME 98 PERCENT OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT….NOT MY OPINION THOSE ARE THE FACTS..MY ADVICE TO ANY PARENT,SUPPORT ALL THE ATHLETES, HELP YOUR CHILD WHEN YOU CAN, AND SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE GAMES, BECAUSE SOON ENOUGH IT WILL BE OVER FOR GOOD AT THE END OF HIGH SCHOOL. IF I GAVE YOU A LIST OF ALL THE SOFTBALL PARENTS WHO CAME BACK TO ME AFTER THEIR KID GRADUATED AND TOLD ME THEY STRESSED THEMSELVES OUT FOR NOTHING, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM ON THIS WEBSITE..COACH DEAN-O
Much of this problem regarding parents and abusive behavior comes from entitlement which I agree with Veterancoach. It also comes from parents who never won anything when they were a kid. They don’t realize they are embarrassmen to themselves and to their kids. They think their kids are the best player on the field and they may or may not be they need to control themselves. I do not tolerate parents abusing kids I will either speak to the coach or the league officals and if I have to will remove them from the field or court. I feel these parents are taking the fun out of sports and sports are meant to be fun. You can’t win all the time someone has to lose and it may be your day. Bad calls are made not on purpose and we are only human. Kids are not being paid to play they are playing to have fun and learn how to blay the game.
great to get the official’s point of view. Nothing more frustrating to me than an official who lets the game get out of hand regarding spectators and coaches.
Well said and I hope you call in on Saturday to elaborate on this.
T