Quiz for Parents: Are You a Bad Sport?

How important is it to you that your child’s team win any particular game?
A. Very important
B. Not important
How important is it to you that your child avoid playing poorly?
A. Very important
B. Not important
Say you have invested a significant amount of time and money into your child’s sport – how likely are you to make sure he plays regardless of disappointing you with poor behavior off the field, such as failing grades, disrespectful attitudes, etc.?
A. Likely
B. Not likely
Are you likely to insist that your child play even if he complains on several (more than a few) occasions of injury, tiredness or not having fun?
A. Likely
B. Not likely
At a typical game or practice, how likely is it that you will find yourself talking angrily or getting upset at coaches, parents or players?
A. Likely
B. Not likely
At a typical game, do you find yourself frequently disliking the coaches, players or parents of the other team?
A. Likely
B. Not likely
Are you more likely to root for your child when he wins, as opposed to expending a high level of effort?
A. Likely
B. Not likely
How likely are you to blame your child when his team loses?
A. Likely
B. Not likely
Do you find yourself frequently “sticking up” for your child for play that occurred on the field by taking these incidents up with other parents, coaches or players?
A. Frequently
B. Not frequently
How likely are you to be upset if your child plays horribly, while having a good time?
A. Frequently
B. Not frequently

From Dan Wann, co-author of Sports Fans: the Psychiatry and Social Impact of Spectators