| Enrolling children in youth sport is an American tradition to keep children active while learning life lessons such as teamwork, commitment, and work ethic. However, youth sport is becoming extremely expensive and demanding, resulting in high parental involvement. Research shows over-involved parents cause stress, anxiety, and even burnout. The overall purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of NCAA Division II student athletes' perceptions of their parents' level of involvement and support through childhood. Through the lens of the Family Systems Theory, a qualitative single case study examined 11 Ferris State student athletes' perception of their parents' involvement and their opinion of what they would consider the optimal level of parental involvement. Athletes' preferences of parental involvement should serve as recommendations for parents wanting to support youth participants who would like to complete at the collegiate level. |
