My stance—If dodgeball was wiped off the face of the earth I’d be very happy. It wasn’t a game. It was an endurance test.
I didn’t grow up with nerf balls. They were hard basketballs that were thrown as hard as possible at every kid that wasn’t “in”. At least I learned what guys to avoid at all costs. That at least was an education.
And a soft nerf ball doesn’t change the game. The “big guy” vs “ scared nerd” bullying vibe remains very much the same. No more bruises perhaps but it doesn’t teach a darn thing except brawn over brains.
I’m saying that a lot of kids who are abused in school also have abusive parents, or at least parents who won’t write notes for whatever reason. I’m saying that kids should be protected from abuse in schools without their parents having to intervene. I never talked to my parents about being bullied in school, but I was bullied in school, repeatedly, and the teachers should have stepped in but did not. I can’t believe anyone would defend allowing children to be bullied, or blame the victims by saying that they should have known how not to be bullied. (And I still don’t know how a parent should teach a kid not to be bullied.)
But the vast majority of kids are NOT bullied in dodgeball games. You are trying to get payback by taking it out on a game. I hope teachers are better educated about bullying these days- especially since we live in “everybody gets a trophy” land.
I was one of those scrawny kids who got pummeled but then learned to adapt. Truth be told, I liked being one of the last kids faced with a firing squad of balls coming at you.
But I hated losing. So I adapted. Since I didn’t have a strong arm I would run behind enemy lines and knock out the power throwers before they got me! I viewed it as more of a game of finesse. In fact I used to coach all of our players the same way. Better to get knocked out in the middle of the floor than by a ball being fired at you from long range. Dodgeball if taught and coached correctly can be a confidence builder for players of all levels.
" I’m saying that kids should be protected from abuse in schools without their parents having to intervene"
HEAR HEAR!!
It seems that only those who WERE the targets in Dodgeball games seem to understand that it is NOT a “game” that kids should HAVE to play. @privatebanker , not all kids have the kind of parents , or connections, to make that call.
They should NOT have to mention it to mommy or daddy to get out of playing that abusive “game”
The fact that you would make the call is irrelevant, as it does not solve the problems for other kids.
Ok. I understand your position. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It’s not a life or death issue for me, so ok ban the game.
Will you also take away the social media too. That’s much worse as a platform for bullying. And ganging up is very common. Also unrealistic images of lifestyles, body types and all kinds of material that I personally think hurts many more children’s self esteem etc.
Don’t claim to speak for everyone who was one of the targets, @menloparkmom , as I was fine with it even with the big red balls, but I am glad our schools no longer tolerate head shots.
"But the vast majority of kids are NOT bullied in dodgeball games. " @MomofWildChild
do you know this for a FACT? If so how?
or is your statement based solely on your opinion?
your kids have been out of HS/ MS for a long time now.
So how would you know about the “vast majority” of kids these days or at any time for that matter?
@menloparkmom first of all you and several others moved from dodgeball to bullying and bullying trauma as a reason to ban the game for young people. And I’m coming around to your point of view.
So not sure acting as a voluntary thread monitor is really necessary.
Secondly, since you were pretty adamant in your post, I wanted your honest opinion. It’s a simple and short answer.
Do you know that a majority of kids ARE bullied? Has it changed since I was in school or my kids were in school? Maybe it has! I think it is pretty hilarious to claim it only exists as a forum for bullies. I think the logical conclusion is that since this game has been around for many decades, it is enjoyable to most kids. I think parents or faculty would have objected much sooner if it was as big of a problem as some of you seem to think. I guess it is right up there with fraternity hazing!
Because the game is still being played- even in this age of snowflakes. If it was at the level you contend, it would not be being played. It would be buried with the Robert E. Lee statues. That’s how I know. And I bet I’m right.
I asked my husband (he’s in his mid-70s) what dodgeball was like when he was in school and he was shocked when I told him about this article and this thread. Sounds like they didn’t do it in a circle, but had two opposing lines. He doesn’t recall there ever being a problem with it.
My point is that it’s a dangerous world, and it’s good for kids to learn from an early age there are people out there who will harm them, not to trust others, and to avoid potentially risky situations. Those are all valuable life lessons, which can protect you in the future. They need to be prepared to navigate the world we live in, not live in some fantasy world where they can trust everyone. Naive people, whether adults or kids, who want to trust everyone are more likely to find themselves in a bad situation, where the stakes are a lot higher than getting hit with a rubber ball.
I was NOT the one to contend it was being played at ANY level.
YOU were. reread you post.
this is what I said.
“It seems that only those who WERE the targets in Dodgeball games seem to understand that it is NOT a “game” that kids should HAVE to play.”
i.e. if kids dont WANT to play it, they shouldn’t HAVE to play it.
For the record, the lead researcher, Joy Butler, is not some liberal snowflake out to create a generation of wimps — she’s a former PE teacher. And actually dodgeball HAS been banned in many schools, partly for liability reasons, and there are several comments on the article by school staff stating it is not allowed in their schools and they don’t think it should be a mandatory part of PE in any school.
The argument that “if it still exists, it can’t really be bad,” is absurd.
The fact that the people who don’t get their faces smashed in enjoy dodgeball doesn’t mean the concerns of the people who hate it — but are still forced to play it — are irrelevant.
Some of the posts on this thread make me seriously question people’s reading comprehension. The fact that dodgeball wasn’t a problem for you doesn’t lessen the negative impact it had on children in the past or on children who are forced to endure it now.
Students don’t have a choice about whether or not to play.
The stronger, faster students target weaker, slower students, not with the intent to get them out, but to hurt them.
The more powerful students aim for the head even though it’s off limits.
Coaches ignore penalties. If a student hits another kid in the head they just claim it was a mistake and carry on.
The worst coaches laugh and encourage the abuse.
I have to seriously question the sense and compassion of any adult who thinks any of this is okay. It’s too bad your offices don’t offer sensitivity and diversity training. Some of you could really use it.
Dodgeball was tough. But ya know what, ART was harder. I couldn’t, and still can’t, draw a straight line while using a ruler. Nope, no talent, none, zip. I would have panic attacks on the third Friday of every month when the afternoon art project was our reward and time off from academic pursuits. Oh yeah…later I was diagnosed as being red/green/grey/blue color blind. Talk about abuse…those 64 colors of Crayolas were mental abuse.
We need to ban art. I suck at it…it was horrifying and humiliating and dehumanizing. Kids should be able to sit out art. Oh wait…there were some real math challenged individuals…they should be able to sit out math. That whole Tonet thing in 6th grade - which was supposed to instill musical education and understanding -was embarrassing for those who were tone deaf (that would be my daughter).
Now let’s review all PE activities…I cant run well (a bit knock needed), forget any kind of ball throwing (who knows what genetic code went bumble), tumbling (arms and legs way to long), kickball (missing hand to eye coordination), and after 5 decades of attempts - still no way I can o a push up. NO talent. DD got the same restricted talents.
Why humiliate my family with any kind of PE requirement?
Our kids are being abused all day, every day. We should keep them at home and school them ourselves.