Really identify with this Laura. Middle school and high school gym class were not good experiences, especially when I had to change into a red one piece snap front bloomer shorts outfit to participate. Hideous and ugly, felt like an institutional uniform even though I went to a public school. Very shaming to the body. Just changing for gym class was terrible. And I was similar to you, I didn't like competive team sports, I was always last to be picked too. And my panic and anxiety about having to perform in any physical fitness events made me blank out, like you I couldn't even hear the instructions. I did well in academics and creative arts. I did ballet after school at a studio. Also I loved to ice skate on ponds near my home. I acted out plays with kids in neighborhood, held seances in my chicken coop. Climbed trees in the apple orchards. Built forts in the woods with my brothers. Drew and wrote poetry. But as far as learning how to move my body in a healthy, joyful way was not taught in school. Wow, what a flashback!
Anne- it’s hard to even comprehend why anyone thought the bloomer-short-onesie was a good choice for adolescents— truly a special kind of hell. I love your memories around ice skating, ballet, plays and seances (in the chicken coop! 😂🤗)— all incredibly fun, creative things to do with our bodies— why couldn’t gym class be more like this, I wonder? We’d learn so much more and enjoy it, too.
As far as I am concerned, it is completely unacceptable that our education system doesn't require kids to learn about their bodies through physical education. Kids need to be taught that it is NOT okay to always do nothing with one's body, and NOT okay to live on couches or spend their entire free time stupidly staring into 7 by 3 inch rectangles, otherwise known as "smart" phones.
I respect your own experience and those of others who have had similar experiences growing up.
The best solution is some sort of middle ground.
Kids who have experiences like the ones you allude to should be allowed to pursue phys-ed in non-competitive environments, in ways that are unique. But they must be made to try such things and taught why exercise is important, and what happens in the long run for people don't. In particular, the various consequences of morbid obesity.
Going the other way: look up the "La Sierra High School Fitness" system to see how depraved the current PE education system is. Read up on what the students said about its effects (during a time when they were trained to follow instructions rather than dictate the terms of their schooling). Those who feel so inclined should be allowed to compete, encouraged to pursue physical excellence, and be recognized for such excellence, since this is what the 'real' world will demand from our children.
Thanks so much for this thoughtful (and thought-provoking) response! I really hear you. Doing nothing is not an option— and it is truly terrifying to think what is at risk for humanity if we lose our connection to our bodies, movement, etc— the damn screens are just so easy to use!
I definitely agree that competition isn’t inherently negative— and that people should be encouraged to participate! I’ve gained a lot in my adult life from learning to compete in healthy ways— in the right environment, and with the right prerequisites in place for my body(that is, not just being thrown into it unprepared)!
It’s hard to convey all of the necessary nuance in these posts and I occasionally feel the challenge of all the things that aren’t able to be addressed— grateful to you for your bringing these elements forward to be considered, too!
By the way, you look super fit and fantastic. People like you are super important to this discussion, which I see as most fundamentally about finding a fitness thing that works for you, but not quitting until you find one. You are a livng role model. Bravo, Laura
Love this and much needed. I saw my younger self in this Laura. Thank you. And on a similar topic, children are no longer allowed to be children. Times may have been different in the fities, but by 8 am I was outside playing hopscotch, jump rope, jacks, pickup sticks until the street light came on- walking, running, tag, were common. School PE was a nightmare though!
Such a great point, Jann! I also spent a lot of time outside— climbing trees and roller skating— and playing made-up games with the neighbors— I’m really glad I had those experiences, as I think they definitely helped offset the less-than-stellar school gym experience. Appreciate your bringing this in! I’m always glad to see kids in my neighborhood now outside playing— when it would be so easy for them to be inside with screens instead!
Such an important topic, Laura, thanks for bringing it up! It makes me sad to think so many children can’t access the sense of joy, connection and personal power that arises from physical exercise.
Hi Adina! Thanks so much for reading, and for your comment. I really agree— it does feel sad— something we should all have access to as humans and that is really so simple at its heart.
Really identify with this Laura. Middle school and high school gym class were not good experiences, especially when I had to change into a red one piece snap front bloomer shorts outfit to participate. Hideous and ugly, felt like an institutional uniform even though I went to a public school. Very shaming to the body. Just changing for gym class was terrible. And I was similar to you, I didn't like competive team sports, I was always last to be picked too. And my panic and anxiety about having to perform in any physical fitness events made me blank out, like you I couldn't even hear the instructions. I did well in academics and creative arts. I did ballet after school at a studio. Also I loved to ice skate on ponds near my home. I acted out plays with kids in neighborhood, held seances in my chicken coop. Climbed trees in the apple orchards. Built forts in the woods with my brothers. Drew and wrote poetry. But as far as learning how to move my body in a healthy, joyful way was not taught in school. Wow, what a flashback!
Anne- it’s hard to even comprehend why anyone thought the bloomer-short-onesie was a good choice for adolescents— truly a special kind of hell. I love your memories around ice skating, ballet, plays and seances (in the chicken coop! 😂🤗)— all incredibly fun, creative things to do with our bodies— why couldn’t gym class be more like this, I wonder? We’d learn so much more and enjoy it, too.
I have mixed feelings on this.
As far as I am concerned, it is completely unacceptable that our education system doesn't require kids to learn about their bodies through physical education. Kids need to be taught that it is NOT okay to always do nothing with one's body, and NOT okay to live on couches or spend their entire free time stupidly staring into 7 by 3 inch rectangles, otherwise known as "smart" phones.
I respect your own experience and those of others who have had similar experiences growing up.
The best solution is some sort of middle ground.
Kids who have experiences like the ones you allude to should be allowed to pursue phys-ed in non-competitive environments, in ways that are unique. But they must be made to try such things and taught why exercise is important, and what happens in the long run for people don't. In particular, the various consequences of morbid obesity.
Going the other way: look up the "La Sierra High School Fitness" system to see how depraved the current PE education system is. Read up on what the students said about its effects (during a time when they were trained to follow instructions rather than dictate the terms of their schooling). Those who feel so inclined should be allowed to compete, encouraged to pursue physical excellence, and be recognized for such excellence, since this is what the 'real' world will demand from our children.
Thanks so much for this thoughtful (and thought-provoking) response! I really hear you. Doing nothing is not an option— and it is truly terrifying to think what is at risk for humanity if we lose our connection to our bodies, movement, etc— the damn screens are just so easy to use!
I definitely agree that competition isn’t inherently negative— and that people should be encouraged to participate! I’ve gained a lot in my adult life from learning to compete in healthy ways— in the right environment, and with the right prerequisites in place for my body(that is, not just being thrown into it unprepared)!
It’s hard to convey all of the necessary nuance in these posts and I occasionally feel the challenge of all the things that aren’t able to be addressed— grateful to you for your bringing these elements forward to be considered, too!
By the way, you look super fit and fantastic. People like you are super important to this discussion, which I see as most fundamentally about finding a fitness thing that works for you, but not quitting until you find one. You are a livng role model. Bravo, Laura
Love this and much needed. I saw my younger self in this Laura. Thank you. And on a similar topic, children are no longer allowed to be children. Times may have been different in the fities, but by 8 am I was outside playing hopscotch, jump rope, jacks, pickup sticks until the street light came on- walking, running, tag, were common. School PE was a nightmare though!
Such a great point, Jann! I also spent a lot of time outside— climbing trees and roller skating— and playing made-up games with the neighbors— I’m really glad I had those experiences, as I think they definitely helped offset the less-than-stellar school gym experience. Appreciate your bringing this in! I’m always glad to see kids in my neighborhood now outside playing— when it would be so easy for them to be inside with screens instead!
Fonf memories of my metal skates and the key to tighten them!
Such an important topic, Laura, thanks for bringing it up! It makes me sad to think so many children can’t access the sense of joy, connection and personal power that arises from physical exercise.
Hi Adina! Thanks so much for reading, and for your comment. I really agree— it does feel sad— something we should all have access to as humans and that is really so simple at its heart.