On the Philosophical Implications of the Tag Ban
Retired Geezer sent me this article on the abolition of tag from a Colorado Springs school's playground.
An elementary school has banned tag on its playground after some children complained they were harassed or chased against their will.Here's my issue, beyond the obvious one of "What is the world coming to?":
...
In 2005, two elementary schools in the nearby Falcon School District did away with tag and similar games in favor of alternatives with less physical contact. School officials said the move encouraged more students to play games and helped reduce playground squabbles.
If these teachers and administrators can't control a game of tag, if they can't resolve these conflicts, if they can't teach kids to play nicely, . . . then how can they claim any competence in educating my child? I thought the whole selling point by the NEA was that these were trained professionals, far better equipped to handle these sorts of issues than mere parents. But I don't know any competent parents who would be the least bit intimidated by the prospect of laying down some law on the playground so that kids could get along. Saying "Hey kids! Johnny doesn't want to play, so knock that crap off!" takes only a moment, and makes everybody happy.
It would have to be said in a spirit of nurturing holistic goodness, of course, to meet NEA standards.
OK, I guess I lied about only having one issue. My second issue is the way this was handled. What does it teach kids about life and conflict resolution if their complaints are addressed by immediately removal of the source of the problem? I think it teaches them to complain more often and more loudly, and to expect that the world will kowtow to their whims. It teaches them that compromise isn't necessary - if they want something changed, it should be changed without regard for the desires of the majority. It also teaches them that if they feel threatened, legislatively banning the threat is far easier and more effective than coming to a personal accommodation with the threat.
Hmmm. Kind of reminds me of the practitioners of a certain political philosophy.