Tag & Chase games banned in elementary schools??

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061018/ap_on_fe_st/playground_tag_ban

Wow, that's just terrible. Now it will be harder for those kids to find out what creativity and fun is.
Why did I say 'creativity'? Well lets just say, another school bans drawing in the school grounds, and the students are never allowed to draw, even if it's recess, unless if it has anything to do with school work. That's just pretty much the same thing with banning tag & chase games.
And seriously, how can tag be a safety concern? It's not like everyone carries a huge baseball bat to tag other people.

What do you think?

Answer 1

wow, they actually have a recess? our schools did away w/ that when my 15 year old was in 1st grade, they barely have enough time to stand in line and get food much less go outside. little ones should be able to run around and get rid of the pent up energy. I fell off the slide in 2nd grade and broke my arm in 2 places, they did not stop us from sliding, but people are to sue happy these days, so I am on the fence, but I agree w/ what you are saying too.

Answer 2

Two things come to mind: 1) the litigeousness of our society is having a real cost in the education of our children. In this example, how are kids to learn to be competative? How are kids suposed to learn to play by the rules when you're on your own - no adult supervision and no referee? These games are not just physical exercise which, G-- knows, our overweight kids need desperately, but also teach how to get along and manage yourself in a "game" environment. That's what the world is. 2)This is exemplary of how contrary our politically correct society has become. All the hue and cry about equality of the sexes and the need for women to compete and learn the rules of the game, i.e. "the Playing Fields of Eaton". Not every activity is supervised. I note that even playgrounds have been sanitized so that most of the truly phyisical activities are gone like monkey bars, trapeze, etc. Sad. To quote Dean Wormer (Animal House), "Fat, dumb and stupid is no way to go through life, son..." Well that's what we're institutionalizing in our schools if this type of hysterical approach to play takes hold.

Answer 3

At our local school, kids are not allowed to play tag, chase, or football (even on the grass). Then they also made a no running rule and another rule that no more than three kids can hang out together in one group on the play ground. I guess they are afraid of 7 year old gangs! This is crazy! It is hard for little kids when they can't even play with their friends because there are already three of them playing. They do not have gangs! They play house, on the monkey bars, or talk. We live in a good area. I can't belive they are not allowed to run. I do not think it is fair to control them so much that they can not even play or relax! They go to school for 7 hours! By law even adults get breaks at work, what about the kids?

Answer 4

I know that when I signed my daughter up for school, I had to sign a waiver stating that I understood the risk that play puts on children (things do happen) and that every safety measure will be put into place to lessen the likely hood that something could happen to her. They also offered insurance packages in the even that she did get hurt.
What are they going to ban next? Gym class? Can't play basketball, may break an ankle...
It's all too ridiculous....

Answer 5

How are schools supposed to emphasize physical activity for our youth if they take away those activities that are most enjoyable? Do they expect them to do jumping jacks or run around in a circle for an hour? Absolutely anything has the possibility of injury, parents shouldn't be over-protective and take away what the kids love.

Answer 6

I honestly think that the world has gone completely mad. Today in UK, it was announced that homosexual booklets are being distributed in UK schools for young children. Last year we had children who wanted to play 'conkers' had to wear safety glasses. Most school outings have now been stopped for fear of litigation against the teachers. A single teacher cannot put a plaster on a child's cut unless there is another one present. Yes, I certainly do think that the world has gone completely and utterly mad................

Answer 7

It's the people around the country that are suing for ridiculous reasons that are ruining everything for everyone else. People are so eager to make a quick buck they will file suit for anything, even if it's made up. And the lawyers that take these cases are nothing but money hungry scavengers themselves.

Answer 8

What do these people think kids do during recess? They chase each other! They don't get hurt; they get exercise.

Officials should be encouraging this kind of activity, not banning it. It's the same as banning dodgeball for fear of hurting kids' feelings.

Answer 9

I think it is stupid. I think that it is horrible what they are doing to them. Everytime I think about it it makes me sick. I mean they are going to take away tag and chase so kids have nothing to do. I mean why are they going to take away a game that helps kids with the social stuff. I mean you make friends when playing. I mean they are going to take away a childs game that has been here forever!, and they will not take away those sick bulletin boards with naked women and those sick shows and those rap songs talking about Drugs and all that! That is what drives me mad!

Answer 10

I believe this is just another step towards dictatorship. If you don't want your kid to play tag that's fine BUT for some dictator to ban this is just outright stupid.
As far as any kids getting hurt, well anyone can get hurt at any time. It is part of life. Its called growing up.