Dr. Kamm’s response to the New York Times article (11-21-07) on “Child Bull-fighters in Mexico”
Eleven years ago when Jessica Dubroff, aged 7, attempted to become the youngest person to pilot a plane across the country, people were in awe, and the media excitedly chronicled her every stopover. How precocious, how brave!
It was only after Jessica crashed and died that people came to their senses and asked, “What was a 7 year old doing flying an airplane? How could her parents (her father died in the crash as well) have allowed this?”
These questions will be asked again in Mexico when the first underage bull-fighter dies. (Child Matadors, Draw Oles in Mexico’s Bullrings, A-1, 11/19/07). As parents, our prime responsibility is to guide and protect our children. A child under 17 lacks the capacity for truly informed consent, the capacity to fully understand the danger inherent in an enterprise as risky as bull-fighting.
Unlike child participants in violent and extreme sports in this country, the young matadors mentioned in the article wear no protective equipment, and there are no referees to control and modulate the violence. In addition, the force that the Mexican children face is unpredictable and hell-bent on injuring them. By contrast, in a sport such as extreme skateboarding, the force a child is facing – gravity – is a benign and predictable one.
I am concerned that this is yet another example of Achievement by Proxy Disorder, a term coined by Ian Tolfer, characterized by parents who view their children as objects and subject them to risky sacrifice in order to fulfill their own unconscious needs.
A parent should not allow their son or daughter, even if the child loves it, to put themselves fatally at risk just because “this is what he wants to do”.
Coaches Job Safe Despite Charges of Abuse
excerpted from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Stephanie Busi, 17, planned on playing on the varsity basketball team
through her senior year at North Allegheny High School. But, toward the end of her junior year, after coach Paul Seneca allegedly screamed at her during halftime and called her "useless," she abruptly quit.
read more
Julie Krone's Race Against Depression
excerpted from the New York Times
At a national symposium led by Dr. Kamm, Julie Krone speaks of her
experience with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and how psychiatric
medication helped her read more
Sports World Sometimes Needs a Shrink
excerpted from the New York Times
Describes a recent national symposium, led by Dr. Kamm, in which high level
athletes (Julie Krone, Pete Harnisch, Jack Farrell) speak of their therapy,
and where the role of Sport Psychiatry in athletics is discussed.
read more
Sports Violence Is Out of Hand
Lately, it seems that almost every day there's news about some well-known athlete in trouble with the law for
allegedly raping, shooting, stabbing or beating someone to a bloody pulp in a bar fight. read more
Kids Shouldn't Be Participants in Athletic Hazing Games
Why are we hearing more about violent hazing incidents, and what can be done to stem the tide?
read more
Violence in Sports a Bad Influence
Why are sports and athletes becoming more violent, and what can be done about it?
read more
Psychiatric Medication Is Moving Into The Lineup
Elite athletes are subject to the same emotional disorders as everyone else,
but they are more reluctant to seek treatment or take medication.
Fortunately, some great athletes are breaking the barrier,
and speaking about it.
read more
Playing Fair
Isn't it time for parents and coaches to remember what
youth sports are really all about - having fun? read more
The Dark Side of Sports
How great athletes have coped with emotional disorders read more
A Walk on the Balance Beam of Life
If one of your children is a star athlete, how do you give your other kids "equal" attention?
read more
Brain Game
What qualities separate the best coaches from the rest? read more
Helping Children Love, Not Loathe, Sports
New York, May 29 (Reuters) - Children's team sports are meant to boost
confidence and foster good sportsmanship, but all too often youngsters end a
season stressed out and in tears because of bad coaching, bad parenting - or
both. read more
Out of Williamsport, Into the Parent Trap
Details how parents, through checklists and discussion, can guide
their children to a positive youth sports experience. read more
Tips For Coaching A Child With
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
What ADHD Gymnasts look like, and how to manage them.
A guide for coaches and parents. read more
Sports Psychiatrist Supports Tyson Return
VALHALLA - Yesterday's reports that Mike Tyson is on the verge of returning
to the ring against Francois Botha in January, met with unwavering approval
from a leading sports psychiatrist who spoke last night at Westchester
Community College. read more
Can Mike Tyson Overcome His Personal Demons, from Ring Magazine
Was it really safe to be in the ring with Mike Tyson after the
Nevada State Athletic cleared him in October 1998? Dr.
Kamm and other experts comment. read more
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© 2000 Mind Body and Sports
Ronald L. Kamm, M.D.
Ph.: 732-517-0595
Fax: 732-517-8585
257 Monmouth Road, A-5
Oakhurst, New Jersey 07755
E-mail: rlkamm@mindbodyandsports.com