And that sucks but parents do it all the time for other things also and isn't exclusively associated with sports. And just because a parent thinks that their kid can go pro doesn't mean that is all that they care about or stress to their children.
I'd agree. Sports is an easy target, but what about music/art? I wonder if parents in that area are just as unrealistic. I'd say perhaps not, given that music/art tends to be more of a middle and upper class pursuit, but I'd still wager that there is an unrealistic expectation of success -- just not as pervasive.