Parents’ Athletic Background and its Impact on Athletes

In the realm of sports, families like the Williams, Mannings, Sutters, Currys, and Griffeys are well-known examples of dynasties rich in athletic talent. However, beyond these high-profile cases, many local communities also have families that dominate the sports scene. While genetics often receive credit when multiple family members achieve success in sports, the influence of parents extends beyond genes.

Parents play a crucial role in their child’s athletic development, as any individual involved in children’s and youth sports can attest. From being their chauffeur to serving as their cheerleader, parents can shape a child’s love for the game. But how significant is a parent’s athletic background in determining the athletic success of their offspring? Does understanding the game and its culture make it easier for parents to support their children through the physical and emotional challenges of progressing through various levels of competition? Or does having athletic parents place extra pressure on children to do more than simply have fun?

To shed light on the influence of parents in the making of elite athletes, Stuart Wilson, a PhD candidate at the University of Ottawa, examined data from a previous study conducted by Melissa Wilson of New Zealand. The study involved 229 athletes from Canada and Australia, categorized into three groups based on their performance levels: elite (competed internationally), pre-elite (junior international or senior national team status), and non-elite (lower levels of competition). The athletes’ parents’ sports participation (recreational or competitive) and achievement were compared.

Unsurprisingly, elite athletes were three times more likely than pre-elite athletes to have parents who engaged in competitive sports and twice as likely as non-elite athletes to have parents involved in recreational sports. Moreover, elite athletes were more likely to have parents who were also elite athletes and shared the same sport. This pattern persisted regardless of whether it was the mother or father who had an athletic background, although there were more athletic fathers among the surveyed athletes than athletic mothers.

Wilson suggests that parents’ experience in sports enhances their ability to support their child’s athletic journey. This often begins with enrolling young athletes in the sport in which the parent excelled. Familiarity with the sport allows parents to expose their children to more opportunities and guide them more effectively toward success compared to parents who may lack understanding of the sport’s culture. It’s worth noting that parents with higher levels of athletic achievement are better equipped to provide emotional and directive advice to their young athletes.

It’s important to recognize that parental support for young athletes extends beyond verbal guidance. A significant amount of influence is likely transferred through example rather than lectures. When children observe their parents being active and participating in sports, they are more likely to follow suit.

These findings align with the observations of families dominating local sports scenes. Often, one or more parents in these families have a background in sports or maintain an active lifestyle. Moreover, their involvement in sports tends to reach competitive levels.

While there is often talk about how parents can place pressure on their children, this study takes a more positive perspective on the role parents play in their child’s athletic success.