Marty Ewing

In the following viewpoint, Marty Ewing argues that sports can help children develop morally and socially. Ewing asserts that participation in sports improves self-esteem and teaches children about fair play and the difference between right and wrong. However, Ewing contends, children can benefit from sports only if their parents and coaches offer encouragement, constructive criticism, and moral instruction. Ewing is an associate professor of kinesiology at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, and a staff member of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, a special unit at Michigan State University that researches the effects of participation in youth sports.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Ewing, how is self-esteem developed?
2. What makes coaches’ feedback effective in helping athletes develop skills, according to the author?
3. In Ewing’s view, at what point...