U.S. Parents Are Spending More Money On Youth Sports Than Ever Before

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“Our findings suggest that recent changes in youth sport and parenting cultures have prompted parents to invest more time and money in their children’s athletic activities,” he said.

“Since the 1980s, supporting a child’s athletic development has appeared to have required levels – or at least felt pressures – of involvement not demanded of parents in previous generations.”

"Most participants throughout the generations said their parents only spent 'a little bit' of money for them to play sports in a typical year. But the youngest generations, especially those from families of higher socioeconomic (SES) status, were more likely to say their families spent 'some' on sports for them. Respondents who were highly immersed in sports culture reported that their parents spent 'quite a bit,' in a typical year," the study revealed.

“Parents see this as a way to enhance their kids’ resumes as they are applying for college or trying to get a job,” Knoester said.

“It has been this convergence of an increased emphasis on intensive parenting, reduced public support for sports participation and a stark rise in a mostly privatized youth sports industry. It has all led to higher levels of parents’ involvement in their children’s sports participation, especially among higher SES families.”

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