First of all, let me tell you that my middle son's youth football team has made it to the Superbowl!!! Yahoo! We are so excited! We are making decorations! We are planning parties! We are inviting family!
Hold on...there is one small order of business I need to mention. Here is a portion of an email I received from a team mom following our playoff win:
"Middle Gold families are asked to bring 1-2 dozen cookies to share, and the Big Gold team families will bring snacks. The night should be a fun and exciting time to get the boys pumped up for the big game, including a burn in effigy. Anyone want to lend a hand on that piece, please let me know!"
An effigy is a representation of a person, especially in the form of sculpture or some other three-dimensional form. (Wikipedia)
An Effigy burn would have looked like this:
Our sons on this team are 9-10 years old.
It's Feedback Friday and I have to know:
Is a "burn in effigy" common for sports teams with children of this age?
Do you think this activity is appropriate?
Do you think this activity is appropriate?
.
I struggle with this concept at all. It looks like someone burning at the stake and it totally turns me off.
ReplyDeleteTotally Hate that idea...especially for children that age. I can only guess that was most likely an idea that came from a father...seems like a very macho thing.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to good sportsmanship?
From Merriam/Webster Dictionary
Definition of EFFIGY
: an image or representation especially of a person; especially : a crude figure representing a hated
person
So we are teaching our children to hate...Really?????
Janet xox
I guess I should have said I 'dislike' the idea ;-)
ReplyDeleteHate using the word hate....Oops..did it again..sorry ;-)
Janet xox
I am not a big fan of it either. I think it is a bit much and I just don't think that it is appropriate, regardless of the age. On a lighter note, I hope that your son's team wins:)
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to a simple bonfire? Sports parents have to be the toughest to deal with sometimes. I have been in education for over 30 years and you would die if I told you some comments I have heard at games....and how many parents have been escorted out of sporting events due to behavior! I would certainly speak to the director of this program ASAP...children do not need to be a part of this activity and need to be reminded of good sportsmanship
ReplyDeleteI agree with Patty...talk to someone!
ReplyDeleteJanet xox
Believe it or not, when this came up last week I was the only one who said something about it! My son didn’t even want to do it and begged me to change their mind (bad mojo for bad sportsmanship he said – I was so proud!) So, I called the woman who sent the email and told her we weren’t into it and wanted to do something positive instead…sooooo…I spent this week making 48 “Terrible Towels” (a Pittsburgh sports custom) for the families.
ReplyDeleteThe mom decided to ask the coach and let him decide. Drum roll please…..HE SAID NO WAY! Yahoo! One for good sportsmanship and teaching kids to win through hard work not superstition and negative energy!
I asked around to other families this week why no one else objected and everyone’s answer was either that they never read the email carefully or didn’t know what an “effigy” was. I’m so glad I spoke up.
Jennifer Juniper
Again I will proclaim you to be a 'Wonderful and informed Mom"!!!!
ReplyDeleteAgain I proclaim that you remind me of ME!!! He..he...
Janet xox
;-)
Way to go Jennifer! Just another example of mindless parenting! I have never heard of such a thing....really that's super creepy! Glad you stood up!!!
ReplyDeleteUmmm, WHAT? No Way!
ReplyDeleteSuper Mom to the rescue once again!!! 48 terrible towels, speaking your objection and confronting other parents ~ YAY YOU!!!!
As you know...we were part of the league for more than 3 years. NEVER did we ever burn an effigy to "pump the kids up". We always had our own version of a pep-rally where the little cheerleaders cheered for the boys and had a pizza party. I find burning a player in effigy is disturbing for youth football and I don't think I would attend...
ReplyDeleteGive the boys a hug for me? I heard the "bro" is on his way out. Hope you have a great visit!!
I'm SO glad they are not doing it...that is just plain disturbing! Good for you for speaking out...and good for the coach too.
ReplyDeleteWow, way to be a good reader -- I definitely would have said something too. I struggle with the attitude and sportsmanship that I see on *some* kids teams anyway... an effigy?? I'd be like, "son, let's talk piano lessons!"
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Jen!! And way to follow through with the 48 terrible towels! Hope they win!! Please post and let us know how it goes :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Jen!! And way to follow through with the 48 terrible towels! Hope they win!! Please post and let us know how it goes :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! That image totally freaked me out. I couldn't imagine my son seeing that at a "fun" party and I think it sends the wrong message. Sports teams and parents can get way too into things and we have to remember that they are just children. Growing up in a time when society is pushing them to grow up and view things way to old for them. Good luck on the game and again, good job for doing right by your son and his team!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! So glad you spoke up. The idea is seriously disturbing to me at any age especially so young. That it was even presented is troubling. I'm sure the kids with have great time with their terrible towels, that is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLet me just add a few thoughts to this.
ReplyDelete1) Way to go Jen AND Son for standing up for what is right.
2) Pat on the back to the coach for vetoing the idea.
3) WTH was this parent thinking?? I have heard some comments made by parents at sporting events and you would think these little boys are destined for either the NFL tomorrow or jail.
I would not condone this kind of thing for any reason...kids or no kids!
I'm from Texas where we live and breathe football and I have NEVER seen anything like that. That is just crazy. I'm glad you spoke up and they changed their minds.
ReplyDeleteLike Jennifer above me, I am from Texas too (where we live and breathe football) and have NEVER seen anything like this either. Like WTF?! I don't understand what it would represent and a the fact that it looks like a person is very disturbing.
ReplyDeleteSee......we're so not crazy!!! Everyone agrees!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I love pep rallies, gatherings, bonfires and all that - but even I would say that this is too much. It looks like someone being burned at the stake. They're too young to see that at 9.
ReplyDelete