Verbal abuse in youth hockey a 'serious issue' for many, study finds
Most Canadians have seen parents behaving badly at a children's hockey game according to a new study, and almost all respondents say verbal abuse aimed at players and referees is "a serious issue" for the sport.
Angus Reid questioned almost 700 adults who have attended a minor hockey game in the past two years and found 49 per cent had seen angry parents berate the players, while 59 per cent witnessed verbal abuse of refs.
Almost half of all respondents said this sort of behaviour is "hurting the game."
So why do parents keep doing it?
Psychologist Dr. Doug Saunder says many parents feel they know more about the game.
"Parents feel a lot more license because they feel like they know better than these folks, so they start to instruct them and get angry when they don't follow their instructions."
The kids, says Saunder, are often embarrassed by their parents' behaviour. "And then they don't want to play anymore."
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From a report by Trevor Dunn