Physical Education in Schools

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by 2kitties
Childhood obesity in the US is reaching epidemic levels. And, an obese child is almost certain to be an obese adult. I'd like to see twice the PE in schools at all ages. Fitness is important to health and gives us quality of life.

I agree, 100%!

In my school district, its required to take PE all 4 years of high school. I think PE is VERY important, especially with how bad the obesity rates are in our country, especially amongst the younger generation. I don't know how to swim either.............not really anyway. I would ***never*** take swimming classes at school ***ever***. Its a good thing we have so many choices here, from running/tennis/bowling to swimming and almost every other sport. If I *had* to take swimming, I would find some other school, but there is no way I would swim in a place where boys and girls are swimming, pretty much naked. Bleh. I ***hate*** bikinis and swim suits.........absolutely hate them, so I know how you feel. I never go near any public pool only because I cannot stand looking at people dressed like that (or should I say.....*undressed* like that).

But swimming aside, I think physical education is a neccessity and SHOULD be required. I'm all for it...........not because of looks, but because its important to take care of your health, and physical activity should be a way of life, for everyone. When you get in a habit of something when you are young, its stays with you. I think its very important to start exercising at a young age, because that is when you can best take control of your health, before it is too late. Not all parents are well educated in the nutrition/fitness field, so I think schools play an important role in guiding the younger generation in leading healthy lives.

So.........while I understand what you're saying, I'm still all for PE as as obligation in schools. They should just provide students with more options, AND, in my opinion, they should have seperate facilities for boys and girls, because I noticed a LOT of girls and boys at school don't feel comfortable doing certain exercises in front of the opposite sex, and many (especially girls) become self concious. I think its humiliating for students who aren't comfortable with it. Personally, I don't feel comfortable around guys...........I just don't. With girls I'm perfectly fine, but I really don't feel comfortable around boys, especially when it comes to working out in front of them. I'm ok with sports that aren't exposing, but for things that I can't participate in, I just tell the teacher I can't for religious reasons (which is true.......I can't do exposing things in front of guys for religious reasons, or participate in sports for which I would have to wear exposing clothes), and they let me off. The other kids glare at me and all the other students who get excused for religious reasons, because they can't do that and are jealous (they SAY they are jealous!). He he he.