Hundreds of over-zealous schools are preventing students from playing games enjoyed by generations of children amid fears they will be sued if something goes wrong. I work in the field of law and understand that insurance companies are dealing with an ever-increasing mountain of lawsuits. However, we have to let kids be kids. We can't roll them up in bubble wrap and send them off to school. There will always be bumps, bruises and scrapes. That's part of being a kid.
If you don't think that playgrounds are under attack, think again! In 2011, a New York mother sued her child's preschool because she said that they allow too much play and she was concerned that all of the play would ruin her child's chances of getting into an Ivy League college. At one elementary, a child jumped off of a swing set and broke his arm. His parents sued, prompting a plan to remove all swing sets from the county's schools. There are countless other lawsuit stories, and unfortunately many such legal cases result in paranoia of school administrators and the banning of certain playground activities.
I'm 51 years old and recall enjoying time on the playground in the 1970's. I'm not quite sure how in the world I survived since I played many playground games that are now banned by some schools, including dodgeball, red rover, tag, and kickball.
If you think that school bans apply only to playgrounds, think again! You may not believe it, but there are schools in America that have banned various items and activities -- usually due to one isolated incident that causes unreasonable concern with teachers and/or administrators. Things that have been banned in some schools include: bake sales; Ugg boots; Silly Bandz; Hugs; bicycling to school; Christmas trees; and, the use of the colors red and green during the Christmas season.
Relax a little school teachers and administrators! LET KIDS BE KIDS!
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
