To quote my cousin from Canada who occasionally drunk dials me, “Fuckin’ yanks.”
An elementary school in Massachusetts has decided to ban chase games, like tag or touch football, because they are worried about parents holding the school liable for the injuries their children might sustain while taking part in these devil worshipping activities.
As if children in this country aren’t outrageously obese already, now they’re overweight parents want them to be fat little pussies as well.
Make no mistake about it; this is just as wrong as banning books that contain mildly abusive language or the occasional sex scene. The only reason parents approve things like this is because they are too busy or outrageously lazy and don’t want to deal with anything going on in their child’s lives.
With books, it was the horrifying thought of their children running around calling each other bitches and having wild orgies that got to them. You know, if you eliminate the source of these thoughts, then maybe daddy can enjoy his beer and watch Dog the Bounty Hunter without having to bother telling his kid that that it’s wrong to swear or have sex until they’re grown up.
Now, parents are essentially ridding themselves of unnecessary first aid work. Eliminating play time injuries in school means that any injury a kid does come home with will result in a nice new Lexus for mommy.
It’s simply preposterous.
I’m all for the playground being pro-choice. If the girls want to play jump rope or a fat little pussy wants to be a fat little pussy, let them.
But let’s not a whole generation of children spend their lives on the sidelines. Who will we watch on television?
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
At least they didn't ban Poon Tag, the game where boys run up to girls and ... well, you see where this is going.
2 - gonzo marx
i have to Agree that this is just fucking pathetic...
i mean, puh-leeEEeeeEEEeezZZzzzeee!
not letting kids play tag?
bad, bad Decision...
kids need more physical play time, not less.. hell, all of U.S. could use some more physical play time, no matter how olde...
physical Education needs to be held in the same Priority as "readin',writin' and 'rithmetic"
aAAaaaAAaaAAarRRRrrRRRrrgGGggGGgg!!
:::transmission interrupted due to the explosion of head:::
Excelsior?
3 - RedTard
I'm glad this is finally getting picked up by the media. I was really pissed when our local school stopped allowing elementary kids to play any games which require teams or equipment.
This is only one small symptom of a deeper problem. The really frustrating thing to me is that it's hard exactly to pin down or define the problem. Lot's of people feel it. Liberals blame it on uptight conservatives and vice versa. I've heard it described as wussification, or my favorite 'control freakism'.
It's not one little issue. Not playing tag isn't the end of the world, neither is not having monkey bars or soda machines. It's not about having to wear a seatbelt or not being able to drink an alcoholic beverage in the passenger seat of a car. It's not having to keep the grass in my yard under 8 inches tall or submitting to a drug test at work. It's not about wanting to make a poor choice, it's about the system making the choices for you.
It seems we always defer a bit of freedom and self determination for some perceived safety whether it be physical or emotional, but at what cost? Freedom to do only the 'right' (or safe) things isn't really freedom at all.
4 - Donnie Marler
It's ridiculous not to let kids be kids. Where do they think all the repressed feelings come from in our youth anyway? Stuff like this.
5 - MJL
This news about schools banning tag one of the most stupid things I have ever read. I'm now 20 years old and I have many fond memories of playing tag at recess in my younger years. Yes, sometimes kids got hurt. THAT'S LIFE. The point of these games is to develop social skills, and for exercise. Next they'll ban basketball, soccer, and baseball. What if a baseball hits someone?
As I've been getting older, I've watched as more and more kids are being put into bubbles where they are 100% safe from all harm. But the costs far outweigh the benefits. The pro-bubble movement's long-term goal, I'm sure, is to keep kids indoors all the time, so that they never get hurt, or face the risk of abduction or sexual predators.
All these measures are well-intended, but they don't get at the root of any problems. If we put our kids in bubbles, they won't learn social skills, they won't get the exercise they need (which earlier generations did get), and there will be no need to get predators off the streets.
Oh, but don't forget about dangers in the home. One day, kids will be strapped to portable beds all day.
6 - Donnie Marler
You'd be surprised at some of the activities banned at many schools. Any activity with a 'winner' and 'loser?' Out. Someone's self-worth could be damaged.
No kickball, no tag, no way on dodgeball! That's violent, don't you know? Good God, I really do worry about our kids in this sort of environment.
Political correctness run amock.
7 - RinkRat
Isn't this inevitable. How could it be any other way. Our litigious society has taken the joy out of many activities that have so many beneficial aspects.
Crack The Wip and Pom Pom Pull Away have been illegal on ice rinks in the Twin Cities for 20 some years. The results are that you never ever see anyone skating at the rinks any more.
I remember Saturday Night games of Pom Pom Pull Away. We all did it as a kid and somehow going skating started as something different to do. It just kind of grew. There could be 100 kids skating some nights. And these were high school kids. It was a free flowing competitive romp on the rink that would go on for hours. There were nights where skating took precedence over parties because it was more fun.
It would also be illegal today. I can't imagine growing up not able to do some of these things. These are games you start playing at 6 or 7 and really don't outgrow into adulthood. Were there accidents, sure. Someone might have hit the ice and get a concussion or sprain an ankle. But those are part of life and always will be. You recover. I feel sorry for today's overprotected youth.
8 - Silas Kain
What's next? Simon Says??????
9 - John Guilfoil
I'm sure they'll connect Simon Says to North Korea somehow and ban it in all 50 states by federal legislation.
10 - Katie
I fucking hate adults with their obnoxious, self righteous and supposedly intelligent behavior. They're always complaining about every single detail in the world with a fucking fat frown permanently stuck there. Banning all the fun that kids want like buying Christmas crackers only at age 16. I wonder what we'll do when they're too weak to wipe their backsides?
Sorry for being so angry but I was looking at this hateful site full of the most antisocial bunch of 'adults' I have ever heard of. Uncaring and don't understand why they have to look after their child and teach them common ettiquete.
11 - 11 year old
omg no tag! wtf is up with them. banning all fun whats next putting us in a cage!!!!!!
12 - ihatepolitics
at my school last year when i was 13 dodgeball was band and i got 6 detentions for playing it when they said we couldnt. but me and my friends kept playing it.
soon they'll band internet use from children