Required?

[jubaji]

Required?



The idea of Phys Ed in school is nice, but is almost never applied in any serious way such that the principle of strong body/strong mind can be exercised.

Therefore, do y'all think that parents have a kind of moral obligation to make sure their kids participate in sport of some kind for 'X' number of years at least while they are young?

Further, should this be some kind of organized team sport in order to teach the important lessons that context presents?

Further, should parents keep their kids in just one or a few sports for several years rather than jumping from this to that?

Just wondering what you folks think.

[blitz]

I never liked P.E at my school because we only have sports like soccer/basketball (which I hate), so I choose not to participate. If P.E at a school can provide all the sports then parents should push their children to participate, otherwise they shouldn't unless they like the sports that are available.

[jubaji]

Well, I don't mean P.E. class, but an organized after school sports team of some sort.

[kingoftheforest]

At the very least team sports build social skills. Teach children the experience of team work, and overall if properly supervised build character.

Some coaches and parents take it too far sometimes but if that can be curtailed I believe it could be a useful and educational experience for both parents and children.

[jubaji]

That's true, some parents just go ape-shit for some reason. Maybe because they never learned what they needed to when they were young?


Or maybe some people are just crazy as hell.

[kingoftheforest]

Sometimes you have to wonder if parents have their own dreams of what winning would be like for their kids, so wrapped up in it they forget who the game is really for.






Then again there is OCD too.

[jubaji]

Definately trying to validate themselves through their kids, or vicariously make up for their own past failings. Poor kids are likely to end up the same way when they get older if they don't learn the right things.

[bigred389]

Required?



The idea of Phys Ed in school is nice, but is almost never applied in any serious way such that the principle of strong body/strong mind can be exercised.

Therefore, do y'all think that parents have a kind of moral obligation to make sure their kids participate in sport of some kind for 'X' number of years at least while they are young?

Further, should this be some kind of organized team sport in order to teach the important lessons that context presents?

Further, should parents keep their kids in just one or a few sports for several years rather than jumping from this to that?

Just wondering what you folks think.

Yes, would be nice but not necessarily, and should be up to the kid to find something he/she likes and stick with it.

[kingoftheforest]

Amen to that.

[jubaji]

Yes, would be nice but not necessarily, and should be up to the kid to find something he/she likes and stick with it.

Sure, but kids need some guidance and encouragement in this, especially when younger.

[bigred389]

Sure, but kids need some guidance and encouragement in this, especially when younger.

I agree with that, but it's also a fine line between motivating/guiding the child, and forcing them to do something that they simply hate...especially if it's for the wrong reasons.

[jubaji]

I agree with that, but it's also a fine line between motivating/guiding the child, and forcing them to do something that they simply hate...especially if it's for the wrong reasons.

So, where is that line and how should it be navigated?

[cakegirl]

Well, assuming they're not born with any debilitating disabilities, my child's (I'm pregnant now) going to be doing karate at my karate school, which has a great kids program, and learning piano at a school where my friend teaches. Other than that, I'll see where the child's talents and interests take him/her. I'm a fierce believer in sport and music for kids, so if the little tyke turns out really athletic, I'll enrol him/her in whaterver takes his/her fancy - dancing, swimming, soccer, other martial arts, whatever. If they're more interested in the musical side of life, then maybe it'll be piano, flute, violin, drums, whatever!

[bigred389]

So, where is that line and how should it be navigated?

I'm not touching that one with a ten foot pole.

In all seriousness...that seems to be a bit of a "judgment call."

[jubaji]

I'm not touching that one with a ten foot pole.

In all seriousness...that seems to be a bit of a "judgment call."

LOL. Does seem a bit tricky.