WHAT THE DATA SAY: 58% of parents with children playing sports say it's a financial strain

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

YOUTH SPORTS ARE BREAKING PARENTS’ BANKS

The annual cost of youth sports has reached $2,000, making it unattainable for many families, according to our Harris Poll research with Good Sports.

• 95% of parents say children benefit from playing sports.
• Yet 3 in 4 have considered pulling their children out of sports, with 21% citing the cost of participating as the reason.
• 58% say paying for the required equipment has become a financial stress for their family.
• 18% say they’ve gone into debt to afford kids’ sports.
• 56% worry they won’t be able to enroll their children in sports next year due to rising participation costs.

AMERICANS’ MOOD STAYS MIXED

Americans’ views about the country and economy remain flat – yet healthcare concerns are rising, according to our February Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll.

• 38% say the country is on the right track – level with last month and down from 39% in December.
• 38% say the economy is on the right track – level with last month and up from 36% in December.
• 36% say their financial situation is improving – up 1 point from last month and up 2 points from December.
• Inflation (34%), the economy (28%) and immigration (27%) continue to be the nation’s top issues, with healthcare concerns (27%) rising to the top and increasing 3 points from last month.

HEALTHCARE ACCESS IS DOCTORS’ WORRY, TOO

Despite financial and technological worries, healthcare access remains physicians’ top concern today, according to Harris Poll’s fifth annual Physician Sentiment Survey with athenaInstitute.

• 51% of Americans say they have access to and can afford quality healthcare.
• Yet 52% of physicians say healthcare access is their top concern – up from 38% in 2024.
• Rural healthcare workers (67%) are more likely than urban/suburban (52%) ones to feel constantly burned out and consider leaving medicine (69% for rural doctors versus 51% for urban/suburban).
• 77% hope new technology can improve patient care.
• 48% are considering major operational changes to offset financial burdens.
• 63% say AI is helping to reduce administrative burdens.

YOUTH BETTING EPIDEMIC

With a federal ban for sports betting lifted, young adults are placing bets before the legal age, according to our Harris Poll research with ESPN.

• 33% of 21- to 44-year-olds have placed a sports bet before the legal age.
• Accessibility seems to be a factor, with 90% of sports bets being placed on mobile phones.
• 65% have participated in other gambling before age 21.
• 66% of Americans are concerned about the impact of gambling on young people.

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