Project 2

Absurdist literature focuses on the conflict between the individual and the irrational systems that create their reality. Franz Kafka was one of the greatest authors of absurdist literature, and he wrote about how characters were trapped in confusing, oppressive situations that they had no control over. Many of Kafka's works reflect themes of helplessness, isolation, and the illogic of authority. By using Kafka's viewpoint to analyze current social issues, we can get a very strong lens to look through. A growing social epidemic is the increase in youth sports injuries. In youth sports, young athletes are constantly pushed to their limits physically with high levels of intensity and pressure coming from coaches, parents, and institutions. It is possible that Franz Kafka would see the increasing number of youth sports injuries as reflective of an oppressive, irrational system in which individuals are subjected to expectations that exceed what is reasonable or rational. Thus, these athletes suffer unnecessarily due to unexplained expectations. 

Throughout all of Kafka's works, he depicts individuals as powerless in the face of overwhelming and unfair systems. In Kafka's novel "The Trial", the main character Josef K. is accused and prosecuted for a crime of which he has never been told. He is thus placed in a position in which he does not know what crimes he has committed, nor the severity of those crimes. This highlights the randomness and confusion inherent to authority. Similarly, in Kafka's short story "The Metamorphosis," the protagonist Gregor Samsa is changed into an insect; however, he continues to be burdened by expectations to provide for his family. Gregor continues to suffer both physically and emotionally; however, he is only valuable because he provides for his family. Both stories illustrate Kafka's contention that individuals are usually trapped in systems in which the only way to survive is to obey its expectations without having access to logical explanation or justice. The feeling of being at the mercy of an authority without any level of understanding is a broader critique of societal structures that place value on structure and compliance rather than on the well-being of humans. 

Many aspects of the contemporary culture of youth sports also mirror some of the oppressive features present in Kafka's writing. Many young athletes are subject to demanding training regimens, early specializations (which limit athletic choices), and intense pressure to achieve success. The focus for coaches, parents, and institutions is usually centered on winning games/competition rather than protecting the athlete's body. Consequently, it is common for young athletes to develop overuse injuries, long-term damage to their bodies, and emotional distress. Athletes who become injured may still be required to compete at a high level to maintain the expectations set upon them by others. Together, these elements create a system in which young athletes have little choice regarding whether or not they participate in their sport and are forced to endure suffering for purposes that may not even positively impact them in the end. 

It would be difficult to imagine how much more absurd and unjust a society could possibly be if it were acceptable for children to be regularly hurt in youth sports. From a Kafkaesque point of view, it appears that there is something profoundly absurd and unjust about accepting such harm as part of a normal process. Kafka would probably argue that this represents a system in which authorities dictate what is required based on their own whims and without any regard for the consequences that follow. Just like Josef K. in "The Trial," young athletes find themselves caught up in a system in which they do not understand why they are experiencing suffering. The fact that athletes expect themselves to perform at high levels even after they become injured illustrates the same type of mindless duty that Kafka writes against. Therefore, youth sports injuries represent both a physical problem, but perhaps even more importantly, they represent symptoms of a much greater system that places importance on demonstrating excellence and conforming rather than on individual health and self-determination. 

The themes of alienation and loss of personal identity used throughout Kafka's work help reinforce this reading. As the systems controlling the characters continue to dictate the actions of these characters; so too do the young athletes begin to view their self-worth strictly based upon how well they perform. The overall tone of Kafka is very bleak and often has an irony to it; therefore, if he were to look at youth sports culture, he would most certainly have framed it as a sad and tragic reflection of society's acceptance of suffering as "normal." In a similar fashion, the absurd nature of Kafka's exaggerated/absurd portrayals of how systems operate; reveal a great deal about our own world and society. Therefore, considering the modern social problems we are experiencing today; Kafka's point-of-view would be one of the best ways to examine the growing trend of injury in youth sports. 

In summary, using Franz Kafka's perspective to evaluate the current state of youth sports injuries clearly shows us the degree to which modern day systems will force damaging expectations on individuals with no justification. Also, Kafka's focus on powerlessness, irrational authority, and meaningless suffering directly correlates to what many young athletes experience today. Viewing this problem from Kafka's absurdist perspective clearly shows that there are far reaching consequences associated with this problem, and those consequences go beyond just causing injury to the athlete; but also reflect a larger systemic problem in how societies create conditions for its members. Using Kafka's perspective to view youth sports injuries, will lead to critical evaluations of the system(s) in place that determine individual experiences, and clearly show why there needs to be change.