Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlatan
I would also like to point out that the opposite of what you suggest is pretty nasty as well.
Imagine, if you will, a scenario where that girl is derided for her lack of skill. "You suck!" "Why couldn't you hit that? My four-year-old sister can swing better than you."
Being forced into gym class when you are clearly not talented at sports is one of the top moments for public humiliation. A little encouragement or a "good try" never hurt anyone.
I make a distinction between gym class (forced attendance) and little league (chosen attendance -- usually chosen by parents). I stand by my earlier point that parents shouldn't make their kids join little league if they are not interested in sports. They should find other avenues of interest to pursue.
And I generally agree with Kutulu... I don't think things are ever as bad as they appear in these sorts of discussions... and these sorts of discussions have been happening forever.
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I remember being in little league and having other parent cheer me on, even from the opposing team. It's was a very positive culture. When my daughter played soccer one summer some of the things the opposing parents were yelling at the kids was nothing short of harassment. I think things have most certainly changed over time.
And I completely agree that jerks raise jerks. Now it's just become more acceptable to be an ass in public.