Happy Father's Day!

[hebrewhammer777]

1) First, here are a bunch of Father's Day articles from NRO:
Rich Lowry: The Father Effect: It can't be replaced
Carrie Lukas: Indispensable: Fathers and their day
James S. Robbins: Whistler's Father: Why didn’t he get a painting?
Jennifer Roback Morse: Husband's Day: Your children will thank you
Dave Konig: Happy Father-In-Law's Day: When I

Comments

[panic_azimuth]

"where competitive sports are compulsory."

"Imagine that students get rewarded for being overtly aggressive in school and that there is a zero tolerance policy for being passive."

Yikes. I used to get my ass kicked in school all the time. Those were pretty much the worst years of my life. I still loathe mandatory competition. Hell, I kill people for money, but I still would rather everyone be generally passive around me, 'cause I feel more relaxed. It's not hard to imagine parents trying to toughen up their kids and instead making every day a nightmare for them. I realize that this example is hyperbole, but the thought is still frightening.

coddling vs. competition

[hebrewhammer777]

The author was merely trying to present a foil for the current system of coddling. Today's schools have gone so far as to ban dodgeball! Even beyond sports, I do think that more academic competition would be a good thing. I would have preferred that the author use the word "assertive" rather than "aggressive" but I think the point stands. Such a school wouldn't be the best for all the students, but neither is the current coddling system. Some balance is required.

Re: coddling vs. competition

[panic_azimuth]

Oh, I know it's not meant to be taken literally, and you're right, it reads better with words like "assertive." I'm well aware of the wussification of our schools; believe me when I say I hate self-esteem awards and academic softballing as much as you do. My objection was more towards the language used. The three phrases quoted conjured an image of a school populated entirely by my least favorite type of person: the smug, aggressive jock who 'resists authority.'