What Do Sports Teach Our Kids?

Sports are more than a game—they can provide role models, instill values, and provide wonder and inspiration. And kids are the prime participants, with a whopping 45 million American children playing in organized sports each year.

But is there a cost to a child watching or playing sports? The NFL concussion scandal, athlete drug abuse, controversies over protesting the national anthem, lack of pay for college athletes, domestic violence, and other issues are forcing adults to navigate some tough conversations with their children.

Drawing from sociology, philosophy, and years of studying, coaching, and playing sports, professor Eric Davis explores their deeper themes. Davis dives into recent sports scandals to understand our relationship to the games we love, and examines the impact, both positive and negative, sports might have on the next generation.

This talk is presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian traveling exhibit “Hometown Teams” touring nine Washington state museums from 2019-2020.

Eric Davis is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Program Chair for the Cultural and Ethnic Studies (CES) Department at Bellevue College. Eric earned a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a Master’s degree from Seattle University.

Funded project of Humanities Washington, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.