Why do so many men act like little boys when on the football field?

Question

Protesting their innocence with wide eyes when they *know* that they have done something wrong,pushing and shoving even after they have been stopped to be spoken to and then sulking when they are punished with a red or yellow card.
Do you think that this is due to their particular upbringing (being marked out as "special" at a young age) or is it something that we just have to accept and can only try our best to prevent our own children turning out like that.
My boys aren't professional footballers but I was able to put a stop to that sort of behaviour when they were boys - but how do you stop them reverting to it once they are adults - or is that not possible?
I haven't seen my boys act like that as adults but would they if they were to get onto a professional football team?

Answer 1

they all do it my Hubby is a football manager and they are all bloody Kids just let them get on with it.... I do x

Answer 2

That is a normal behavior with soccer/football. We lived in Europe and the English (well, actually all of the countries) acted like that. It is a known thing, but two years ago, Europe started to crack down on the 'false, I am hurt' behavior. Referees have even given red tags when it is overdone. And taking off their t-shirt or throwing it over their head is also being condemned, now. Thank goodness.
Why do they do it? One person did it, another wanted to be like that person and peer pressure started the stupidity. Boys will be boys will be boys, forever. I've only seen professional football games, so didn't realize it went on anywhere else.
Yes, if you watch a game, pretend these 30 yr olds are 14; looks ridiculous, doesn't it? But who has the money, or had it in the last 100 years...men. Sports is a masculine event, even though women are getting involved now. And anything masculine will have the 'good old boy' behaviors. And don't dare condemn it, because there are too many of them and not enough of us willing to laugh and say how childlike they are. The groupies who follow these types of man-babies make them think they are so wonderful. So, don't accept it but look at it as just a part of the sport. Stupid, but aren't most of the sports?

Answer 3

Men at play ARE boys, by definition. If they were going to let their learned social graces take over, they wouldn't be playing in the first place. You are missing the point of the play activity altogether. The only other way that activity ruled by a different part of our triumvirate brain expresses itself is through aggression.

So don't worry about how your kids are growing up, this is not a lack of learned manners. This is a casting off of the manners and a regression while at play, on the field. In a stretched sense, your question is like asking why boys will fart and burp and scratch in a locker room.

Answer 4

I've let go of the general idea that masculine values (work outside the home, 'be someone') are better than the feminine values (nurturing/caring) and I've been a lot happier and less stressed since. It took me a while, I felt really guilty about it at first, I struggled with it and did a lot of research on gender. People think it's such a waste that a 'clever girl like me' wouldn't want a career. That I'm throwing my life away. When in fact, I'm much happier this way. It suits me better. It IS unfortunate for women that society now expects them to frown upon homemaking and such, because I really believe that women are more susceptible to societal pressure. Women have been getting unhappier (decline of female happiness research) since the seventies. probably because of this. Simone de Beauvoir is the typical example. She said women shouldn't be allowed the choice to remain homemakers, because if they were, too many of them would choose for it. So she actually admitted to speaking only on behalf of herself and her fellow feminists, not all women. She also went to great lengths to convince women that homemaking is drudgery. When in fact, I personally find cleaning a very 'zen' like, meditative experience. So I agree with you (at least I think I do, your questions seem to imply that you have the same views as I do) and I commend you for speaking up about it. It might give other women who read it the idea that it's okay to follow their hearts. I know I used to feel like I needed people to approve of it, to allow me to do choose the traditional path...

Answer 5

I've not the slightest interest in football (and I'm a male too), and I don't disagree with the point your asking about. But, it seems the same sort of question can be levelled at girls when they get together.

For 'Boys' (of all ages), the reasons they get to 'regress' is generally visible (it's out there on the field for all to see). But when its the Girls who regress and turn all 'girlie,' the evidence is likely invisible to any onlookers.....!

As I get older, the noise both create and their childish 'antics' are for me, as bad as each others ~ and bloody awful too.

My reply doesn't help you, but at least I feel as if my cry in dark has found a place to nest.

Sash.

Answer 6

Hi Joan,

Boys will be men, and then men will revert to boys playing games.

I personally could not give a stuff when it comes to grown boys kicking a bladder around a feild.

However, at the tender age of 52, I have developed a world-beating conker.
I shall not reveal the full secrets, but it is to do with beetroot pickling and baking.

So far, it has smashed the Dickens out of my sons' conkers, and their mates ones.

Now that is childish of me, but I love it !

Hey Ho

Bob

Answer 7

I play football, so the answer to that is easy. When on the football field the feeling is indescribable. Nothing in regular life compares. Adrenaline plus all the emotion makes one act extremely differnt than in his day to day life. It doesn't, for most of us, carry over into regualr life, so no worries there

Answer 8

Obviously you do not play football, nor are you very familiar with the protocol of the game. it is nothing to do with manners. Professional games are serious business and hard work. don't worry about what happens on the field. if you don't like it don't watch it. your questions reads like you think you and your sons are much better than the players, this simply is not true.

Answer 9

It all starts at home. If your boys are playing sports... ensure you set the foundation, their coaches see things from your point of view, and that they know that it is just a game and they should have fun. But, always remember that if they are not proud of the name of the team they are playing for that there is a name on the back of their jersey that is most important.

Answer 10

When else are men allowed to be boys again? I understand there are regulations and rules but honestly, I bet it's just getting caught up in the moment. Also, competitiveness between men is intense!

Answer 11

On the field? you should see them in the stands. What parents do at little league games when they think their kid is "wrongged" is a terrible example for those very children.

Humans have always competed for stuff. Mates, food, territory. If instinct becomes stronger than reason, then you get the bad behavior.