It Should be Mandatory for Children to Participate in Sporting Activities...

I do not agree with this statement. I think that it should be the child's choice whether they engage in sporting activities. There are a lot of different sports for kids to be involved in, Basketball, football, wrestling, soccer, baseball, tennis, volleyball, cheerleading. Some people just are not into athletics. I think it is good to have your child participate in at least one of these activities. It will help them to make friends and maybe be a little more social. But not all kids are athletic. They shouldn't be forced to do somethin that they are going to absolutely hate. I think its good for a child to get exercise and beingoutside, but they can do that at home as well. Forcing children to do things, I think, will maybe force them to be an outcast if they are not good at something.

Absolutely. I'm 23 and I always got angry because of those kids that were to lazy to even participate in PE lessons. Sport is important for your health, it also helps you build you character. I've played volleyball since grade school and I know it helped me a lot, not only in physical terms. And even if someone can run too much because of some kind of health problems, there are still sports like archery or even posture correction exercises can be taken as sports activity. Once again, people who say sport is unnecessary are simply lazy.

No I do not agree with that statement. Everybody? uh-uh. Some children have asthma and sports become unsafe for them. Others have conditions that sports would aggravate and some children would much rather pick up a book or invent something. I don't think sports should be forced on anyone who doesn't have a mind to play them.

It is mandatory for kids to participate in sport here in schools in Australia. It is a huge part of the culture here. My daughter is very sporty but my son struggles in this area unfortunately. We just bought a large trampoline for our backyard and since the kids have been active on that each day, their behaviour has improved enormously! It is not only great for physical health but also mental health as well when you do sport! As an adult I did not do any sport for many years, but in the last 4 years I have been competing in Field Archery, which has been great for me, not only on a physical and mental level personally, but I have also made many new friends too!

It would be amazing that all the kids practice sports, but the truth is that lots of kids dont like sports, maybe it should be obligattory to stop eating "shitfood" like hamburgers, pizza, chocolate & cocacola! but of course that´s imposible, so... hehe i think im agree withyou, everyone should do exercise xd. :)

Two thumbs up for that. As we all know children of today are more engage in modern technologies like computers and video games. This things does not involve physical contact. They are having sedentary lifestyle. We are aware that daily exercise are very important in keeping as away from heart diseases and will keep us physically fit.

Mandatory .... no. Why? Because some kida are not able to do it, others would rather concentrate on studies than sport. Sport is NOT for everyone. Some don't even watch it let alone partake in any form of it. Does not mean they are un-healthy or lack anything later in life. Sporting clubs also cost money, how would you feel if your parents could not afford it & still be forced to pay for it? Mandatory...no.

Sorry Mrkennedy...I don't agree with you at all. My dad was a teacher and a coach and a big sports advocate. I am old now. Back in the day it wasn't popular so much for girls to be involved in sports. My dad made sure I knew everything from golf to basketball, football , baseball, softball, soccer, skating, hockey etc. I loved it ...loved the backyard sports but the person that I am....never got into school competitions. He didn't push me. I took my own direction. Yes physical activity is very important. I got more into the yoga and gymnastics field and still...not at school. I have four children. One of my girls is so passionate about basketball. I support her 100%. My Oldest daughter was into softball somewhat in school but not all that passionate. I really think school sports are wonderful but to be honest...they are not the end all. I don't think sports should be mandatory. As atheletic as I was....I hated gym class...hated it. is that not enough torture? Now why would we make the elective sports mandatory? not all kids are athletic. Where would the world be without the actors and actresses? It has its place but isn't for everyone.

I think that evrey kid should take a physical education class where they are required to participate in physical activities such as sports, but I do not think that every kid should be required to play on a sports team. Some kids are athletic, some are musical, and some are debators, not all kids are the same, and I think that it is more important for a kid to find that activity that they enjoy rather than be forced into sports.

I don't believe every child should participate in Sporting activities. I used to think so. I think it's great for children to have outlets and I think it's good for everyone to stay in shape. Here's my reason not all children should participate - coordination and balance. Some children just aren't careful and no matter how much you try to teach this with PRACTICE, the child is still likely to get hurt before he or she learns.

I beleive that even though a good physical fitness is important,A great mentality is also important. I think that "sporting activities" should be provoked as mandatory to people who dont exercise or dont have many friends. I used to always be the kid who noone really talked to, Hell i still am and im 19. I think its a good idea MrKennedy, But in an envirement where someone could grow mentally to. Even the silent kid who keeps to himself. Kids need love and compassion and understanding at a young age, No matter who or what they are.

Yes, children should definitely be required to engage in sports at school, especially now that the kind of games that they play are depriving them of physical activities. With the emergence of video games, children nowadays spend less time exercising their bodies than children did years ago.

All children should participate in sports while at school. For one, it is healthy, it keeps them fit. Sporting activities teach children team work. They learn how to socialize and relate to each other. Children learn to focus by keeping their eyes on the ball and it also stimulates their intellect.I walk and swim for exercise I feel better after I have done it. I also think better!

Hey Mr. Kennedy I think it is a awsome idea to make sporting activities mandatory especially in the young ages of kids because the more you introduce them to athletics the more likely they will become less obese and healthier, happier kids. Getting ur kids athletic will also improve their chance in life because most sports are team sports so they will teach them to be disciplined, sociable, and be able to work as a team better later on in life

I dont think it should be mandatory, not unless thy have a wide variety of sporting activities (and if its outside of school, make it affordable) as some families cant afford to put their child in sports. As for the wide variety, I say this because there are some sports that children absolutely HATE and dont want to be involved in. I myself hate soccer, so I would refuse if I was forced to participate, but I like basketball so Id participate. I dont think children should be FORCED, but I think if their was a wide variety available all kids would probably be interested in participating at their own discretion.

No I don't think it should be mandatory for kids to participate in sporting activities, because some kids are not that good at sports or just don't like sports. They might not want anything to do with sports when they are older. They might want to be a doctor or a lawyer, and try to work hard in there studies instead of there athleticism. They can be perfectly healthy without playing any sports.

It would depend on the child's health really... If the kid is quite sickly, give him another activity that's appropriate for him/her. But if they're okay, then leave the Gym teacher to tone them up a little. Most kids this days spend too much time with video games...

I agree with you. I don't believe that it should be mandatory for children to be involved in competitive sports, but I do think that there should be more of an emphasis on physical education in schools. Both of my children are involved in gymnastics as well as my daughter having physical education in school. I really think this has been beneficial to them in that they are able to exercise in a way that isn't of a competitive nature. They love being able to learn the new skills and the discipline that they've learned from being involved in gymnastics has also added an entirely different facet to their lives.

Let's see . . . I think physical education of some sort should be mandatory. I agree that physical health has benefits for everyone, and it's so good to get kids in the habit of exercise while they are still young. A well rounded physical education gives kids the opportunity to experience and appreciate different types of sports. However, I don't think a particular sport should be manadatory. Some kids are athletic, enjoy sports, and can excel in a particular sport - others are not that way. Some kids are more acadamic, or artistic, or whatever - not necessarily sportsminded. If a sport were mandatory, I think a creative outlet such as music or art should be mandatory as well (but seems they are taking that out of school systems, what a shame).

I understand where your coming from on this one but I do not agree. Children come in all shapes, sizes and learning curves. If it was required they be in a sporting activity I feel it would ruin how a lot of kids see excersize. I like to do yoga, jog, swim, play tennis and basketball but I know a lot of kids who don't like sports but like do work out at a gym or who feel uncomfortable in situations where they have to work out around other students who can and usually do treat them poorly. I think some sort of fitness program should be avalible in schools just as I feel some sorts of arts program should be in all schools but they shouldnt be mandatory. Yes, we should educate children (a lot more than the boring plain gym and nutrition classes offered now) but we should never force it on them they might introvert and never want to work out again. I know I did the first time I went to a gym outside of school my heart was almost pounding out of my chest thinking I would be judge. Which I wasnt I was welcomed with open arms.