Abstract
We live in the age of the performance ethic. Youth sport, a highly visible and valued activity in communities across the nation, is a proving ground for children and parents alike. Fun sometimes equates to being a better athlete. The sport experience is assessed in terms of enhanced technical skill development and competitive ranking (CitationCoakley, 2009). Athletes are challenged to show their potential early because opportunities to gain access to the “pipeline” become more elusive with time. Parents are called to prove their worth because “good parents” invest to guarantee their children's future. Sure enough, sooner or later, the coach comes face to face with the question, Should my child specialize?