First Lady Michelle Obama says play, nutrition, and physical activity aren’t available to every child — and that’s a problem. With the annual cost of sports participation around $2,200 per child, these opportunities are increasingly available only to wealthier families.
A report from the Sports and Society Program at the Aspen Institute shows parents have concerns around risk of injury, the quality or behavior of coaches, time commitment, and the emphasis on winning over having fun. What can be done to ensure children are being physically active and learning team skills? Obama discusses accessibility and affordability of sports with her brother and ESPN analyst Craig Robinson. Michael Wilbon, host of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption,” moderates the conversation.
Catch up on previous episodes by visiting the Aspen Ideas Festival website.
Marci Krivonen is the associate editor and producer of public programs at the Aspen Institute.
The “Aspen Ideas to Go” podcast is a weekly show featuring fascinating speakers who have presented at the Aspen Ideas Festival and other public programs offered by the Aspen Institute — including Aspen Words, the Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn Book Series, and various events around the country. For a curated listening experience, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or listen to each episode on the Aspen Ideas website.
