Parents usually play a vital role in the success of their children in chess as well as in other sports. Parents can give their children important emotional and mental support. Parents should be the #1 role model for their children. It is such a big plus having loving and supporting parents.
However, a small percentage of parents sometimes do go overboard. I have personally witnessed on a number of occasions where parents clearly crossed the line at various chess events. Some are loud, rude and some even get physical or violent. Some behave worst than their kids. Once that line is crossed, things are no longer “fun” for their children and they lose interest in chess or in other sports.
A few days ago, a case in youth football made the national headlines. After the son of an assistant coach was hit (late) after a play was over, the assistant coach charged the field and assaulted the kid who made the late play on his son. Yes, the other boy clearly made an illegal play. But that is why you have referees / TDs to handle matters like this in sports or in chess. If you feel that the referees / TDs are not doing their jobs, you can file formal complaints against the referees / TDs or the other party.
However, parents should NEVER take matters into their own hands by getting physical or violent, especially against another child.
Here is the video. Be your own judge!
Thanks for posting the link to the video Susan… I am glad that the kid seems to be ok.
Sometimes adults are trying to relive their childhood vicariously through their children – trying to attain a degree of achievement they could not attain when they were a child. I presume those parents don’t even realize that is what is going on.
There is no excuse for that… he (the father) has to take whatever punishment is given, but “felony child abuse” seems draconian to me (the word “felony” rings loud). I am not all that familiar with the US criminal code, but perhaps some other form of “assault” charge might be more appropriate?
Sad situation to be sure…
I recently played a 8 year old and won the match. After it was over I started to go over some things with him. Before I get 10 seconds into the father came over, took a piece out of my hand and start packing up his kids pieces. He then lead his son away saying, “You should have won that!”
Sad.
In general though I think chess parents are better than the average sport parent. Soccer in my experience is the worst.
To tell you the truth, I find myself sympathizing with the parent/coach in the video. Yes, what he did was wrong and some sort of action against him is justified, but consider the circumstances:
– the late hit took place well after the play was over, and was nowhere near the ball carrier. It was a very cheap shot.
– the offender was twice the size of the kid he flattened
– no penalty called by the ref
As a parent, how easy would you find it to stand by if that happened to your kid?
I’ve often thought that Little League would be much improved by banning the parents.
To anonymous, there is no way that parents action was justified, an adult man just cant hit a child. He could have caused a concussion or paralysis from a hit to the back of the head. I agree he should be arrested. Football is a contact sport, and sometimes guys get their andrenaline flowing and use bad judgement and do commit penalties such as this late hit. But in no way was that boy hit viciously or was hurt, and who knows what happened before in the rest of the game. Maybe the boy who knocked down the other player was hearing his trash talk or someone else illegally hit him.
one of the “Anonymous” posters indicated that there was no penalty called by the ref for a late hit…
As someone who spent many years umpiring baseball I can tell you that sometimes the officials cannot see everything (although in football I would hope there are enough additional officials on the field?)
Anyway, the parent’s action was WRONG and in fact a criminal offence; the only arguable point (IMHO) is to what degree.
Reminds me of in searching for bobby when they lock the parents out.