What is the matter with these people?! Here's a novel idea, punish the "bad" kids by making them go inside or better yet, make them sit on the sidelines and watch how the "good" kids play tag instead of punishing everyone. You know what, it won't hurt their feelings, but I'll bet they'll learn that if they want to play, they'll have to play by the rules. (OMG, did I say RULES?) That's how we used to do it and it worked pretty well. Do the teachers have no control over elementary school children anymore or are they just too lazy or afraid to get involved if things get "out of hand"? You guys are right -- people are so afraid of hurting their childrens' feelings that we can't have winners or losers or even discipline anymore. I'm not raising my kid that way and I feel bad for the kids who are.

I guess before long the kids won't be allowed to play ANY games; I mean, games mean that someone has to win and someone has to lose, right? "Gee willikers, we can't have anyones' feelings hurt because they've lost a game, can we? And games such as tag and dodgeball encourage violence!" Pretty soon all kids will do at recess is sit in a circle and sing "Kumbaya" to each other and have "let's share our feelings" sessions .... Whee.

Tell you what - if they're banning all of the "rough" games from recess, I don't want to hear any more educators or anyone else whining about how fat the kids are getting. It's not just recess games, but a lot of PE classes have been cut as well. My goodness, we'll be raising a generation of fat, whiny, wussy kids!!

LOL! What's next? I have driven by schools at recess time, and all I have seen are the teachers huddled up in a group chatting instead of watching the kids. When I was younger, our teacher went outside and played with us. Nothing like seeing a 60 yeard old woman clibmbing a metal cage hollaring " MARO-Polo". Those were the fun days...now we have irresponsible teachers and irresponsible parents that help to shapen the IRRESPONSIBLE kids we see on the news nightly! And don't get me going on overweight kids. Take the juice/soda machines out of the schools! Stop with the candy fundraisers! Let the kids run around. If little Sally gets tagged, maybe she'll learn to run faster the next time....I did

This is stoopid. Not only can Johnny not read, now he can't walk because he's not allowed to get any exercise at recess. This principle needs and examination.

It's just a cop-out because no one wants to watch the kids and make them behave.

Give me a break!!!! know wonder why there are so many problems! We need to teach our kids the way of life. Yes your going to get hurt. Yes there are going to be bullys. You can choose what you want to do. Weither your a part of it or not that is your choice. Now days if you lose the game they throw you a party. In my day if your team lost you held your head down low and figured out how to win the next one. But now oh its ok that you lost. I say run and dodge the ball!!! by the way YOUR IT.

We used to play dodgeball as often as possible as kids. Along with tag (not this "jailbreak" thing), touch (and tackle) football, tetherball, etc, we loved it. We developed physical skills and coordination, and quick, instinctive decision making. We always looked forward to these games. Unless it was PE class, no one was forced to play.

What the heck are they teaching in school these days? Though based on the article, I kind of agree with the principal's position, however we, as Americans, had better damn well make sure we don't create a nation of whimps and cry-babies. (Although whining is a profession, and -- per Arnie -- we have a large contingent of "girlie men".

"ok, so if there's kids that get extra rough during games of tag/dodgeball/whatever, then take THEM away from the game. That's another thing that "gets" me in todays' society; no one person can be singled out for punishment (or rewards!) anymore! That even happens in the workplace, you notice? If one person abuses a privilege, instead of holding that one person responsible, the privilege is taken away from everybody."

Pachacutec: I could not say it better!!!!!!!

"People wonder why more kids get hurt and have allergies and sicknesses nowadays - we bubble wrap and disinfect EVERYTHING in and around their lives. They're not exposed to the same ailments we all once were - and now their bodies have a hard time fighting things off..."

Tuckmeister: another excellent point!!!!!

it just makes me wonder: what will my newborn baby will be able to play when she gets to school????? at this pace, she will only be able to play with a hand-held playstation!!!!!!!

Pachacutec - ABSOLUTELY!

Agreed - we take too much time taking things from society because one person cannot follow the rules - hence the Gun controversary. Take those away from everyone - who will be the ones carrying them - the criminals.

Thank you for understanding and shedding more light on this!

Levans, I think I understand what you're saying; ok, so if there's kids that get extra rough during games of tag/dodgeball/whatever, then take THEM away from the game. That's another thing that "gets" me in todays' society; no one person can be singled out for punishment (or rewards!) anymore! That even happens in the workplace, you notice? If one person abuses a privilege, instead of holding that one person responsible, the privilege is taken away from everybody. Pathetic.

I agree we disinfect everything or try not to expose kids to surroundings that contain germs. I think our body needs to be exposed to germs, so your body can grow the immunities that it needs to fight off these infections and colds.

I also agree that "tag" being in "timeout" is probably "stunting" childhood development.

But lets stand back a minute - "Tag in timeout" - while some parents raise their children to respect other - rules on the playground - to become caring there are definately children out there that are NOT raised that way. Unfortunately, working in the school systems you see if all to often starting at Kindergarten. Some children have little respect for others property, teacher, or even safety and classmates. Unfortunately we are living in a society that we have to monitor and be careful for EVERYONE involved and sometimes the children that would not take advantage of rules and safety or the ones that suffer.

Tuckmeister, I'm with you 100 percent! No dodgeball? No tag? We used to love those games and, yes, we played 'em rough! I also believe that this business of disinfecting everything and going overboard on precautions has compromised not only the kids' immune systems, but the adults' as well. In one of his books, George Carlin made an excellent remark about how kid today are being raised, but it's not exactly something I can put in a public news forum!! (smile)

I SECOND THAT

Agreed Tuck

WOW....we're making them into a bunch of sissys. I understand not allowing "jailhouse", but TAG? Give me a freaken break and a half. Absolutely absurd!! Our youth today are so dulled by what really is out there. People wonder why more kids get hurt and have allergies and sicknesses nowadays - we bubble wrap and disinfect EVERYTHING in and around their lives. They're not exposed to the same ailments we all once were - and now their bodies have a hard time fighting things off...