Can't figure out what to buy Little Johnny for the holidays? How about a $149 genetic testing kit that will help determine what sports Johnny should play. I'm all for science, but with so many crazed parents looking for college sports scholarships, this idea simply scares me. Isn't it time for Gen-Xers to start breeding laidback kids by now?This holiday season Atlas Sports Genetics is unveiling a simple saliva test they say will help determine whether your child has the genetic makeup to be an elite athlete. As stated on their website, "Finding any great Olympic champion normally takes years to determine. What if we knew a part of the answer when we were born?" This sounds more like a commercial for an East German Olympic training program to me.
I won't go into great scientific detail on the test, but it basically tests for the ACTN3 gene. This gene has two variants which control the production of a protein called alpha-actinin-3. This protein affects the way muscles react. Depending on a child's combination of these genes the test can determine whether she has a natural predisposition for "endurance sports" (distance running, distance swimming), "endurance and power sports" (soccer/cycling), or "power sports" (football, weight lifting, sprint events). I'm not clear where golf would fall under these sports categories.
I was a good figure skater in my younger years. Actually, I was a really good skater, but I was not an international, national or even regional champion. Too bad a genetic test couldn't have spared my parents all the time and money they spent on skating. I never would have learned self-discipline, good sportsmanship, the value of hard work or how to perform in front of a large crowd. Not to mention the sheer love of sport I had for figure skating.
Growing up I saw many girls pushed to skate even though they hated it. This led to all sorts of problems including anorexia, rebellion, and hyper-competitive behavior. I never saw anyone get hit with a lead pipe, but I did see skaters "hide" other competitors skates or outfits right before a competition.
Both of my children play sports, including golf. They do not golf competitively, but they are pretty good little players. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them decides to try and make the school golf team someday. Interestingly, I've had several parents say to me, "Oh, my child isn't really that athletic, maybe he should try golf." This statement kills me. I agree that one does not need a certain gene variant combination to play golf. Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed by many different shapes and sizes, but to imply it is "easier" or less "athletic" than other sports is simply
I simply refuse to pigeonhole my kids into a sport I deem "best for them." Worse yet, I can't imagine telling them they shouldn't play golf (or any other sport) because their genetic makeup indicates they should be a swimmer. It may sound crazy, but I think they should try a variety of sports and see what they enjoy playing.
My kids will not find the Atlas Sports Genetics kit in their stocking this year. However, they might find a skateboard, a basketball, or other "useless" athletic equipment.
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Yeah, that's about as dumb an idea as I've seen. Kids should play a sport because they enjoy playing that sport. Matching a child's activities with his or her genetic makeup with sounds like something Hitler or the East German Communists would do.
It's funny, I've always been perceived as "very athletic". This because of Physical attributes like strength and endurance. My phys-ed teacher Dad pushed me to do every possible sport...to no avail, because what I don't have is the competitive gene. I always hated competitions (waiting on the starting blocks at swim meets for the gun to go off is among my worst childhood memories)I never felt motivated to be "first" - so I never was. I did OK with gymnastics and I made the field hockey and basketball teams but was never really into the competition...like others seemed to be. Loved cycling by myself... and later rollerblading, scuba diving, rock climbing, snowboarding... outdoor physical activities that were not competative. I just never could get excited by "being the best" or "beating the rest".
I think that's a gene, and that's probably where parents make the mistake. They sense their child's physical ability but don't sense her competitive spirit (or lack there of) and everyone ends up disappointed and frustrated when star athletes aren't spawned from ...all those expensive lessons. They feel the sport was worth doing "just for fun".
Often, at a party or social gathering I'll find myself talking about golf. Some guy will say to me "I wish my wife played golf" and when I say "she should...why don't you buy her lessons so she can get started?" They'll inevitably say. "oh no, that would never work, she's not athletic like you are - she'd never be able to learn." And that's the thing; I think what these guys actually mean is that "she'd never be compelled to be No.1."
So, they just write it off...and their wives do too, because the perception among many is that golf is not worth playing "just for fun". And that's where I'm trying to change some attitudes. I love golf, though I'm not good. I try to improve but I'm not desperate to improve. And I'm really convinced that this philosophy needs to be accepted ...and even embraced...if we really want to grow the game in this difficult economic environment. Because quite frankly, the vast majority of human beings, no matter how athletic they may be, will never be really good at golf.
Anyway, sorry for such a long winded comment.
@Jet Beagle, I couldn't agree more. Let kids play what they enjoy!
@Patricia, It's interesting to hear your story. I thought my "competitive" gene had been put to rest many years ago. When I started golfing, I discovered it was still there. But it's not really about "beating" anyone for me. I love to train and I get such an adrenalin rush from improving. Hitting a drive farther than I ever have before, or chipping over a bunker and making a one putt just makes me giddy. I also get a thrill out of seeing other players make really fun, and often surprising, shots.
I think there is a time and place for competition. Even though I still get crazy nervous, I enjoy challenging myself to play in more competitive events. But I also love our 9-hole events at night that are more social team activities. These events are even more fun when my friend Kathy fills our cooler with beer before we head out on a great summer night. I guess what I'm saying is golf can be whatever people want it to be to them.
One of the cool things about golf is that you can see improvements without comparing yourself to someone else. I couldn't hit a driver for almost a year. It felt so good to finally just be able to get off the tee. Different tees and handicaps allow players of different levels to all enjoy the game together.
One more thing. I think a great incentive to get more women golfing is the clothes. I looked like a golfer long before I could ever get a ball in the air. My advice to men who want their wives/girlfriends to golf is to make sure they have some good equipment (even it's only a few clubs), encourage lessons AND let them buy some great clothes they will feel good in!
This IS an interesting topic. In fact, I just made it into a blog post over on Golf Girl's Diary. What you mention about seeing improvements without comparing yourself to others is probably exactly what I like so much about golf. Because I definitely work on my game...a lot.
And the "9 hole rounds on the summer nights with the cooler full of beer" that's what I think lots of women are missing due to a perception that it's all about being really good. If the fun factor was put out there more, I think this game would grow amazingly. Oh and you're so right...the clothes! Definitely a huge motivator. :o)
I'm totally with you on the fun factor. I have laughed the hardest ever on the the golf course with wonderful friends who I didn't even know before I started golfing. Our course is finally doing a "Nine & Dine" night once a month next season. This is where a couple can play together in a fun format then socialize over cocktails and dinner. I begged them to do this last year and am THRILLED it will be a reality next year. We also need more glow in the dark golf, scrambles with kids, and anything else that will get people out there and golfing.
I think we could do some great brainstorming together Patricia. I'll bring the wine! ;o)
Hi!
This is a 10th site I found via blogcatalog about golf. Sound like I to need to join playing golf now. Nice blog.
See you around.
Amen sister! My mother decided early on, that I had no athletic or artistic talent. Just. Like. That. She just made that decision & then wasted my youth telling me I couldn't do things like everyone else, which always made me feel retarded in some way. When I found that I could ski, I realized what a liar she had been.
I've turned out to be very athletic... much more so than my brother ever was. And, she encouraged him to do every sport.
It always amazes me when scientists come up with that kind of crazy chit. Maybe they just stumbled upon this gene while they were trying to find a cure for cancer. Well, I'd like to THINK that's how they found it. Otherwise, I can't imagine why someone would specifically target such a gene unless they think sports isn't already competitive enough. Whatever.
It's like I said before... when friends & I play *girly golf*, all we do is have fun. They don't care that I'm not as good as they are, because we're only there to have fun & work on our games. It would just be too weird if everyone was really good. Besides, we ladies are not competetive. We're just Girls Who Want To Have Fun!
And, like there aren't already enough wacko parents out there on the sports fields as it is? Gah!
So many comments I'd like to make on this post!
I've always wondered about the existence of the competitive gene Patricia suggests. Though I have less physical talent, relative to men I choose as companions, I compensate with my lust for competition. But it wasn't always so.
Like Snooty Primadonna, my parents steered me away from sports before my teen years. They decided I lacked the physical talent to excel. So I successfully focused my competitive drive on intellectual pursuits.
It turns out it was just poor diet that prevented my muscular development as a youth. After the military took over responsibility for my physical development, I learned I wasn't genetically inferior after all.
Freed from negative parental influences, I've had so much more fun as an adult. Never collected any trophies as a kid, but I've won at golf, tennis, bowling, and basketball as an adult.
I'm glad that I've stumbled upon your blog (thanks to Patricia at Golf Girl's Diary).
My 9 year old daughter has expressed interest in playing golf with me and I hope to be able to encourage her to enjoy the game (and all sports) without an emphasis on winning. There is still room for competitiveness without a focus on winning -- self improvement both physically and mentally are one of the areas that I enjoy in sports.
Looking forward to seeing more of your posts!
Shalom
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