Redefining Identity: Life After Sports for Young Athletes
by Jillian Amodio, LMSW
From practices and gym sessions to the long commutes to games, athletes spend a lot of time with their teammates and connected families. For many children and their parents, athletic involvement requires much social interaction and fosters pivotal friendships, therefore becoming a large part of their identity. While the countless sports-centric hours can be of great benefit, creating strong social connections, and offering health benefits, it can also become a shaky or fragile foundation when circumstances shift. There are many reasons why an athlete’s involvement with sports may change, or end altogether. These reasons may include lack of enjoyment, overwhelming pressure, bullying, conflicting schedules and interests, illness, injury, mental health struggles, financial concerns, and other life changes, such as graduating high school. Regardless of the circumstance, a shift of this magnitude can come with strong emotions for both the athlete and their family. If something was a major part of your life for so long, its absence will likely be felt.
As a therapist, I’ve had many patients seek help processing the end of athletics in their lives. For many, it’s not just a game or activity, but a way of life and a core part of who they are. If an athlete’s involvement with sports changes, there are several factors to consider. As parents and coaches, we should honor the athlete’s sense of autonomy as much as possible. Contributing factors should still be discussed to ensure that the choice is not being made rashly, but ultimately, the choice should be theirs. Nothing good ever comes from forcing something on someone. If ending athletic involvement is involuntary, it is very important to assess the athlete’s emotional response, validate their feelings, and support them as they process the situation. When contending with a pivotal loss, it is important to acknowledge the grief that accompanies it. Understanding the stages of grief and how to support the grieving individual is absolutely essential in helping them to move forward.
FALL 2024 | 97
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