Safe Kids vs Fat KIds, What's Better?

sarena kopciel · 08-15-2008, 05:48 AM

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1218...comment aries

Allen Yeh · 08-15-2008, 05:55 AM

Quote:

There's only one solution. Someone on behalf of society must be authorized to make these choices. Courts must honor those decisions. Otherwise, the pious accusations of safety fanatics, empowered by the nearly universal fear of being sued, will guarantee a cultural spiral downwards toward the lowest common denominator.

Sigh.

Chad Cilli · 08-15-2008, 06:23 AM

"Some schools have banned tag. Broward County, Fla., banned running at recess."

Well thank God for that. I'm so glad to see that so many healthy, weight conscious adults are around to make sure that kids don't run. I mean, who cares if they're gasping for air every time they go up a flight of stairs, as long as their not running the system must be working.

Mike ODonnell · 08-15-2008, 09:10 AM

It's the flaw thinking we need to save everyone from everything....life is full of ups and downs....scrapes and breaks....but yet the human race moves on....the earth still turns....the universe does not implode. We're doing this to ourselves. Let the kids play and get hurt...at least they may have a shot to make it past 30 without heart disease or diabetes.

Derek Weaver · 08-15-2008, 11:14 AM

Wow. Anyone here lose count of how many times they had a finger splinted, an arm in a cast or were on crutches growing up? I used to go to the emergency room several times per semester... concussion, stitches, broken bones, you name it. And the crazy thing is, I'm probably healthier for it.

Now I enjoy banging weights around seeing how fast I can run at 25 compared to 13 (a lot slower it seems), all sorts of water sports and can be the "cool uncle" for the little ones in the family cause I can lift them up, throw 'em high (and catch them) and be a bigger kid.

But, being fat yet very very safe works too I guess. Just sounds boring to me.

Craig Brown · 08-15-2008, 11:48 AM

I was once part of a pretty unique social group, that as it grew began the dumbing down to the least common denominator that is now the nature of life here in the U.S.A. My parting letter included a note that I felt that one of our goals should have been to develop tougher feet, not demanding that everyone wear steel toed boots.

I broke several bones in elementary school. I clearly remember spitting large amounts of blood from split lips, borderline broken noses, loose teeth, tackle soccer (and basketball!), and really amazing walnut wars (with siege engines made out of shopping carts and giant slingshots made from innertubes).

Life hurts. It was designed that way. There is joy at the moment of impact.

I grow more and more disgusted with this 'culture' every day.

Mike ODonnell · 08-15-2008, 01:31 PM

sarena kopciel · 08-15-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike ODonnell

AWESOME!!!

Allen Yeh · 08-15-2008, 08:37 PM

Lawsuit frivolity galore.

Scott Kustes · 08-16-2008, 07:47 AM

It's similar to the push for anti-bacterial this and anti-microbial that. Studies have shown that kids in overly sanitized environments have weaker immune systems. Let the kids take some bumps...they'll learn. When I was a toddler, I always wanted to put my hand on the stove when mom was cooking. After about five times telling me "no," she finally let me go for it. She said that was the last time I tried to put my hand up there while she was cooking. Course, she got to deal with me screaming bloody murder for awhile, but hey, I learned my lesson.

How many of us continue playing around and through injuries? I had a girl last weekend tell me I was a "mental giant" because I didn't stop playing basketball and volleyball and damn near every other sport that could be injuriuos to my shoulder after having surgery. I'm thinking "I can sit on my ass and protect my shoulder against anything or I can be smart about what I play and how I play to minimize the risk. But the risk is still there." Why are people so damn afraid of a little pain?