Some of Sommers earlier work, like the thing about boys, has some merit. But I think she makes the mistake of going to the opposite extreme of whatever stance she's criticizing at the time.
Well, a lot of schools are eliminating recess. And who ever played tag in gym? So there you go.
This is the most ridiculous philosophy. Our kids are getting fatter and more sedentary, and we're treating how many for ADD and ADHD, but let's stop sending them outside to blow off some steam for 20 minutes a day.
I too laughed and cried at the CNN talking heads and gay marriage. I think Jon may have been chastened enough by that story to go after Hoff Sommers.
I'm not sure how tag could be eliminated from public schools. In gym class, sure, but at recess? It's ridiculously impractical.
Yes, exactly, this is what I said. I also said that the rule whereby you eliminate tag because, presumably, it ostracizes some children would have to be applied to ALL sports-- any game where kids lose, or can be less competent than other children, or can trip or be pushed. Bob thought that expecting this kind of consistency would be ridiculous.
But, really, I don't know what dodgeball was like in its original incarnation, and I'm perfectly happy to give original dodgeball a pass -- but by the mid to late 70s dodgeball was a way for popular kids to fuck with unpopular ones with the teacher's permission.
DX, I think JZ just called you old.
let's stop sending them outside to blow off some steam for 20 minutes a day.
Running around getting exercise is no way to meet No Child Left Behind standards. Therefore it's counterproductive.
stupid extremists on everything.
This is where I come out.
I can see the argument for eliminating dodgeball. The whole point of the game is to throw the ball at other kids. An awful lot of potential for injuries there. Especially since kids can be pretty sadistic.
Also, shouldn't one purpose of gym class be to encourage kids to be physically active? A diet of nothing but "one winner many losers" games is only going to discourage those who aren't natural athletes. Even a steady diet of two-team games, where half the class is going to be on the winning team on any given day, is better.
But it's also appropriate to make physical activity fun. And it helps to have a certain amount of no-particular-winner activities.
The self-esteem movement doesn't deserve the scorn it's often given. In the gym class context, I think it's appropriate to give a few words of praise to the uncoordinated kid who shows improvement, even if the kid is still well behind everyone else. Trophy for everyone? Not necessarily. Praise improvement? Definitely.
I'm probably the most extremely-to-the-right buffista in terms of the abortion issue, and even I'm horrified hearing about what people are doing to that poor girl. Quite apart from the moral judgements and psychological trauma issues, aren't there grave health risks to both mother and child when the mother is that young? I'd think a 13 year-old would be too physically immature to safely carry a baby to full term.
Running around getting exercise is no way to meet No Child Left Behind standards. Therefore it's counterproductive.
Actually, even with whatever standards, if a kid doesn't get out to run around for spell, he's not going to be able to learn anything, because the adrenaline floods his brain, and a brain drowning in adrenaline is dumb. SCIENCE FACT (or possibly my asspull opinion, but let's go with SCIENCE FACT).
On the 22nd of December 2004, Kyle Van Horn taped a disposable camera to a piece of black foamcore and inscribed upon it the following message: "ATTENTION POSTAL WORKERS! Please help us with our project. As this camera travels across the country we want photos of all whom it encounters. Please take a photo before you pass it along. Thank you!"
That IS cool! Except many of the photographers seemed to ignore the flash button, which is unfortunate.
DX, I think JZ just called you old.
Dude! Stop putting words in my fingertips! A man who's willing to quote
The Producers
at the drop of a hat is forever young in my book.
