Parent-child relationship in sports

"I'm your biggest fan!"

Abstract

Sport constitutes a space for social and emotional development, where parents play a crucial role in the well-being and motivation of young athletes. This article analyzes the effects of parental behavior in the sporting context, presenting the Communication Effectiveness Model as a framework for understanding and promoting effective interactions between parents and child-athletes. This model proposes that positive communication profiles enhance confidence and enjoyment of sports practice, while negative communication profiles generate anxiety and withdrawal. The article also proposes practical guidelines for balanced parental communication, centered on understanding, active listening, and reinforcing effort. It concludes that the quality of parental communication is crucial to transforming sport into a space for mutual growth, where parents and children learn, through experience, the true meaning of growing together.