Comments
4 CommentsIt seems to me that for a lot of guys in the States (this goes for UK football culture too) it is imperative to belong to some sort of sports team during your high school years (and then be a team supporter later on - baseball caps, t-shirts, posters, car stickers, mugs etc etc).
From the point of view of someone who often fantasized about emigrating to the States as a teenager and subverting high school life by being completely anti-sport, just for the hell of it (hey, I was a teenager!) what has your experience been growing up with or without a sporting background?
Non-sportsters: were you at all marginalised for not being part of the 'team'?
Teamsters: did you take the proverbial piss out of non-sportsters for not being part of the team?
And anyone in between, what was your experience?
Alday
Written Dec. 15, 2006 / Report /
In some parts of the US high schools Football is everything (I'm looking at you Texas) but overall no one cares. Of course I graduated 11 years ago so it might be different now, but when I was in school the "jocks" were almost universally derided as neanderthals. Sure the jocks get the pretty/easy chicks but the really hot women are always the mousey ones, like in that Freddie Prinze Jr. movie.
RightOn
Written Dec. 15, 2006 / Report /
When you're IN High School, EVERYONE cares... when you're not they don't.
I was an artist/band nerd/choir nerd so I can tell you I was NOT a sports person and still am not much of one.
I DO enjoy a little live hockey from time to time but overall I'd prefer to blog over watch/care about sports.
I was never really teased for being what I was by anyone outside my organizations.
Nicole
Written Dec. 15, 2006 / Report /
I went to a school small enough that there weren't really cliques. Most kids participated in sports because otherwise there weren't enough people to front a team.
I played (and still play) sports and loved it. Playing organized sports is the only thing I miss about high school.
paularms
Written Dec. 16, 2006 / Report /
In High School I was a mix between geek and jock. I was in Cross Country and Track, quite above average for the sports, but I also played violin for the Fall Musical's in the pit orchestra and was in a one-act play, did very well in classes and still had plenty of spare time.
But then again, our football team sucked.