Today's sports parents are not nearly as effective in supporting their kids, coaches, and sports programs as they should be. All too often, parental involvement consists of writing a check to a booster club or providing transportation, snacks and banners.

At the other end of the spectrum are overly intrusive parents. In recent years, as adult violence has become commonplace at youth sports venues, the main offenders typically have been out-of-control parents attacking coaches, officials, or other spectators. In addition to abusive behavior, there have been incidents of parents falsifying birth certificates to gain a competitive advantage and filing million-dollar lawsuits against school districts over a child being cut from a team.

Clearly, parents are part of the problem in youth sports. To effect positive change, they must become the main instrument of the solution. Parents have the most at stake in strengthening their families, schools and communities through sports. They also have the greatest opportunity to make an impact and ensure that sports participation is a positive influence in their child's life. They can--and should--be the primary vehicle to reach their children and help change society for the better.