Equality in everything?????

The news lately has been full of reports about the fact that competition is being taken out of schools and sports in schools...the new theory is that all children are created equally and that by putting children in different academic groups or on teams of different levels is damaging to them.....



Is anyone else here bothered by this? Have we taken self-esteem too far? How will children learn to challenge themselves and become the best that they can be if they aren't recognized for their talents and encouraged..whether the child's talent is academic, artistic or in sports, these abilities should be recognized and encouraged....



It's one thing to encourage self-esteem....but self-esteem has to be backed up by ability.....





Kris
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be."
Douglas Adams

[DCJenn]

Kris-



Many find me to be practically blaspheming here- but it is for precisely that reason that I HATE Special Olympics. hate it hate it hate it.



30 years ago there was a place for it but now, I think it's thoroughly distasteful. I might as well just put a big neon sign over their heads that says "RETARD". They need to be participating in integrated sports where the level of competition is such that they learn to be better players and better sportmen/people? It creates such a false environment. Life isn't fair and we don't all always get a prize just for finishing. It's a load of c##p in my opinion.



So, as you can probably tell, I can't stand that idea. Everyone is not equal- I'm better at budgets, my co-worker is better with personnel. My brother is the better athlete, I was a better student. Why set people up like that?



Jenn
Edited by: jloreine at: 6/21/02 10:10:56 am

It is just ridiculous to me, Jenn, but I'm afraid to say anything because right now it just seem so un-PC. I absolutely STUNK at art (I nearly failed despite my best attempts..I DID really try) and I knew it...everyone knew it...my self-portraits looked like portraits of a tele-tubby or something (see, I was just ahead of my time) but no one sugar-coated it...and if they had, I wouldn't have believed them anyway...I could compare my drawings to those of my very talented neighbor and see that I stunk!



I also was never very talented in political science or economics....actually, I nearly failed economics in high school because I couldn't balance my checkbook .....at the same time, I was making A's in advanced mathematics courses (figure that one out!).....I played on the worst soccer team in the high school league...we didn't win a game all year....It was hard to be that bad but it taught me about trying harder and becoming the best that I could be....about the value of hard work....(I did finally score a goal my very last game)....Sometimes losing can be a good thing because it makes us take a hard look at ourselves and work harder!







Kris
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be."
Douglas Adams
Edited by: kmmath  at: 6/21/02 3:45:48 pm

This is a tough one, especially related to schools. The problem is that excelling in sports IS more recognized and praised than excelling in art, for example!! So, even if you are a budding Monet, it basically doesn't mean diddley except in the very small circle of your family, close friends, and art teacher. But if you are the soccer superstar, you are carried on the shoulders of your school, are (usually) very popular, and worshipped by even the principal. You know? So, maybe they shouldn't make all kids "equal" because I absoutely agree that all kids excel in different areas - but at least make the activities equal. . .if you win the spelling bee for your school - make that be as important as winning the state championships!

I remember as a kid in high school that I would ALWAYS get picked last for teams in gym class. I was awful at sports and everyone knew that. It was a dreaded experience for me. . .thankfully, there were always 2 or 3 other girls who were equally awful. But it was all about winning - win, win, win - we can't play for fun!

[DCJenn]

Claudia-



You're absolutely right that the events and activities should be valued equally. However, living here in Texas, I can guarantee that nothing is ever going to equal the high school football team. But, on the other hand, as we have all experienced, there are certain PROFESSIONS that have the 'air of superiority' whether it's accurate or not. I don't think preferential treatment should be given to anyone based on what they do. (play football or sing the lead in the school play. And as long as the kids believe in themselves and feel good aboutwhat they do- that's all that matters. A well-adjusted child will hopefully realize that because they stink one thing, it doesn't make them a bad person. It's definitely up to the parents though. Those sickos who try to relive their one high school experiences through their kids need to be slapped around a bit.



Jenn

I agree with Claudia and Jenn, and I do think that self-esteem of children is important. I don't think that self-esteem should be such a focus that it overshadows ability. I also believe that in order to feel good about an accomplishment, it has to be an accomplishment...I think what is bothering me is that schools are moving away from recognizing the different abilities of children and are moving towards a system where all children are equal in many regards. Imagine going to school and there being no special ed programs for children that need them and no advanced courses or gifted courses for those children. I think that it does a disservice to kids....we all have our unique abilities and we should be able to discover them and be proud of what sets us apart...



Kris.......who was also always picked last for the teams
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be."
Douglas Adams

[DCJenn]

Amen, sister!

[Meenah]

Kris,

I couldn't have said it better!!!!!!!!!!!! We are not all created equal, if so I would be playing at Wimledon!!!!

Luanne