I am having a lot of trouble with my enthymeme and paper topic. I decided that writing about the implementation of the Wii in rehab facilities was more informative than argumentative, so I have to come up with a new topic. I ended up finding some research on the sports overtraining of children. Now that there is an increase in the number of adolescents participating in organized sports, there has also been an increase in the amount of injuries that are happening in the younger age groups.

Possible Subject:

Watco: parents not allowing their children to specialize or play in all year around sports until the child reaches the age of fourteen.

Enthymeme: Parent limitation of their child's participation in organized sports and specialization will preserve the physical and mental health of the child because it will make them less susceptible to injuries associated with overuse, and inappropriate levels of stress.

I will define in the body of the paper what the proper level of limitation would be (as defined by various health experts). The enthymeme itself does not seem to be very argumentative, but it would be in consideration of the audience.

Audience: Parents with talented children (believe that there are olympic/pro/college possibilities). Parents that are trying to accomplish their own hopes through the child.

pro
-children are still developing, and can't always recognize the signs of overuse.
-growth plates, delays the onset of puberty (especially in over trained young girls).
-Possibly causes burn out if kid already has a specialty at age nine.
-Health of child is more important than athletic achievement
-Intense sports training=harm to child with only small chance of him/her ever making it pro, olympic, or college level.
-Parents pushing children to do more (which is often the case--especially when child has intense goals at such a young age...like nine years old) creates unhealthy relationship with parents.
-child does not get to experience a wide range of activities, already committed full time to specialization.

Con
-parent and child decision
-specialization and intensive training= only opportunity for child to make it to high level, or be noticed by scout.
-Generally kids are working with very qualified coaches that can help them to prevent injury-train the correctly.
-this is the healthier alternative when considering the current rise in child obesity.
-an experience that can bond parent and child-working towards common goal.
-good social opportunities
-kids enjoy the sports that they choose to specialize in

Ok, that is what I have so far. I have found a lot of info about the type of injuries that overtrained kids are prone to getting. I also found lots of doctor recommendations, and stats.

Ok, what do you think?