Gambling Naturally Follows Competitive Sports Culture, Say Youths
A recent conversation between high school kids talking under cover of anonymity revealed much about the truth of gambling in the United States. Youth Radio, which features shows hosted by teenagers, discussed sports, gambling, and the atmosphere encountered by adolescents.
The national fixation with sports was addressed by one caller, He asserted that sports had been a dominating force in his life, to the point that he learned simple mathematics in the second grade by using his knowledge and affinity for sports scores. "I was best at multiples of seven because of all the football I watched."
The aura of competition penetrates all aspects of growing up. Grades are sought on a competitive basis, sports heroes are worshipped, and gambling becomes just another expression of competitiveness.
Kids calling in remembered gambling for one dollar. They were too young to have any more money, and a dollar still seemed significant. Besides, it was as much about victory as the amount won. Sports gambling combined competition with the hobby they followed voraciously.
One young adult called in to discuss his teenage gambling. He said he enjoyed himself, until he lost several games in a row, overextending himself. He learned a lesson, and was careful not to repeat the experience.
Like a child who shocks himself on an electrical outlet, or a young adult who maxes out his first credit card, this was a learning experience. Yet, there are no advocates proposing that electricity or credit cards be banned. Problem gambling and compulsive gambling can be viewed the same way.
Those who continue to shock themselves after the first result obviously have a mental difficulty, and the electricity is not blamed. The students involved did not seem to blame gambling, but rather regarded the incidents as learning boundaries.
Ben Simrin, host of the radio show and a student at Berkeley High School, closed by saying, "The problem is that gambling is an extension of America's competitive nature.Whether it is comparing salaries with friends or sporting the newest Lexus model, Americans have always enjoyed competition. From my perspective it seems like a mixed message: to discourage teenagers from college sports gambling after we've been raised to believe that a little competition is a good thing."
