High impact: Are some sports too violent for children?

Are some sports too violent for children? Kids and teens who play full- or high-contact sports like rugby, American football and mixed martial arts have higher rates of concussions, which can lead to traumatic brain injuries. On the flip side, there are also huge benefits to playing sports when you’re young, including community and confidence.  Dr. Bennet Omalu, a pioneer in understanding chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), says that children should not be allowed to play certain sports, and argues instead that we should invent new, safer sports for kids. Babalwa Latsha, Africa’s first female professional rugby player, contends that existing sports can and should be modified to be safer for children, and holds that participating in sports is a great way to learn valuable life skills. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as they discuss the different possibilities for children and sports.  Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Karen Given. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

Om Podcasten

A biweekly debate show that bridges the divide across contentious issues. Every two weeks, Doha Debates and FP Studios bring you an important and topical debate on the world’s most pressing issues. The show brings together people with starkly different opinions for an in-depth, human conversation that looks for common ground. Each show also includes young guest voices, often participants of the Doha Debates Ambassador Program, who ask insightful questions of the guests. Show hosts include Karen Given, Afia Pokua, Mariya Karimjee, Joshua Johnson and others.