?Skateboarding – Really as bad as it seems?

Skateboarding has always suffered from the generally bad image the public gives
them. Many people categorise skateboarders in the same breath as illegal
graffiti artists, vandals and mainly juvenile crowds with nothing to make out
of their life.

Well, maybe not all are that bad these days but people still view skateboarding
that way. This is probably due to the fact that it gained popularity during the
same era punk music kicked off and considering much of the public was not that
fond of that genre those days, it is no surprise that this is causing people to
wrongly assume skateboarders as a negative part of the society. This is a huge
misconception towards skateboarders and the truth is, skateboarding is only
bad, just like any other activity can turn dark, if it is let to develop itself
into a form of bad influence.

As a matter of fact, the society of skateboarding has produced a number of
individuals who deserve a whole lot of admiration and respect for their social
position and contributions to the society. The world’s greatest skateboarder and only one known to pull the 900 is an excellent
family man who contributes much of his money to charity. Kickflip inventor
Rodney Mullen has a Masters degree and is known to be an exceptionally friendly
and humble person. Bob Burnquist uses his celebrity status to promote
environmental-friendliness and inspires people with his life story about the
time he overcame asthma to skateboard. Jereme Rogers, being the heavily
tattooed man he is may be the type of individual people think of when
negatively perceiving skateboarders but a closer look at his tattoos shows you
an image full of devotion to love and religion as he is outspoken for the fact
that he believes that God is the reason behind his capabilities on a skateboard
and the success he has achieved from his talent.

These people are actual role models not only to children, but people on the
streets looking to make something out of their lives. Parents who look into
skateboarding in a negative manner should pay closer attention to the existence
of these people and their influences in the skateboarding society. When they
do, I doubt anyone would still go against it full heartedly.

Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that there are bad influences from more
negative characters in skateboarding but don’t all sports and games have their same share of this group of people? Athletes
are known to take drugs and sports officials do get involved in bribery; that
is to name a few. The only reason why the society is tougher is simply because
of how they look and how their attitude is generally known to be really rough

There should not be any concerns of kids getting interested in skateboarding
but if any issue still bugs you, licensed skateboarding clubs and organisations
exist. There are even churches which accommodate and approve youngsters’need for skateboarding these days. Parents should just take it purely as an
essence of growing up; having fun. Doubts and worries only introduce more
trouble and who knows, mothers and fathers could be seen giving their shot at
skateparks if they stopped worrying so much about their child’s desire to skateboard. After all, it isn’t really bad.