Physical Education in the U.S.

I have heard from different sources, like documentaries on the American education system, articles in Sports Illustrated and other places that in most American schools the physical education is going the way of the dodo. I know there are schools and programs actively trying to bring new life into the, often times bland phys ed systems in place at a lot of schools. I mean what kid at 8 years old wants to keep doing sit up and push ups every day.

I am not sure why there are not more exciting and interesting forms of physical education, but I think it related to the fact that physical educators don't want to have children get hurt. This is a totally valid reason and I support it, but why don't they want children to get hurt? Are these schools and school districts afraid of getting sued by parents? I think so. I started to think about this in China when my friends from other Universities told me that at least one other college in Beijing had a place for skateboarders to skateboard that was provided by the university. I never saw this 'magical' place, but I have also read articles about universities in Shanghai with the same facilities.

I started to wonder why we don't do that over here. Some universities or schools may have done this already. Actually, I know for a fact there are some high schools in Southern California, which provide such facilities, but this is because their physical education system is geared towards extreme sports. In any case, I feel like most colleges would think there is too much risk involved giving students a place to skateboard.

I fear for the day when there is too much risk involved in going outside of our homes. Too much risk of someone suing another, too much risk of scraping your knee or even too much risk of letting sunlight hit your skin. I don't recall my parent having these sorts of 'risks' in their lifetime and I hope my kids don't have them either.

I am sort of disheartened here in the America where we should have the right to do what we want for pleasure (to an extent), but at the same time our society is so restricted in certain aspects, that is almost as if we can't enjoy a lot of activities we want to. When I see China setting up skateboard parks and universities doing the same I just yearn for a day when skateboarding can have that sort of acceptance level. It is not like there is no tolerance for skateboarders here in the states and it has definitely improved since I was younger, but I think most of the acceptance comes from a small portion of the people and it is supported by a small portion of the people as well. Maybe that is part of the appeal though and I shouldn't ask for more widespread support.

Anyways I have rambled way too long and I don't think I concluded where I should have, if at all. I think I digressed from physical education to skateboarding rants, but with the number of kids being obese these days the education system should be changed, so it is more appealing for kids to participate in physical education.