Why can't we keep score?

[pzaur]

Lots of really good points already made that I agree with. A major concern is that we are not teaching kids how to deal with failure. This really started not with the feminization of education, but, with Mr. Rogers. There have been studies about this. Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was an excellent show in many regards except for one. He tried to teach us all that everyone is a winner and can be a winner.

A movement started in the education field to coincide with this viewpoint. PE classes were no longer allowed to keep score or declare winners and losers. Competition was basically banned in many other educational settings. I'm technically not even allowed to keep a chart of everyone's progress in plain sight because it "might hurt the feelings of another student who isn't as successful."

Competition, when controlled, is an extremely healthy learning environment. Many public sports groups have stopped using scores because it is the parent who can't handle the score. Children couldn't care less who won or lost. They only start to care when the parents make it a big deal.

This applies in some fashion and is a great comment on society:

The problem is not that we set the goal too high and fail but that we set the goal too low and succeed.

People are not learning how to deal with failure and therefor we have a strong push to pass everyone instead of dealing with reality.

-pat

 

[CraigV]

What scares me is many kids concepts of winning and losing come not from sports, but shows like American Idol and Dancing With The Stars – shows that succeed by pandering to losers with nothing better to do with their time than watch these lame “competitions”.

 

[pzaur]

What scares me is many kids concepts of winning and losing come not from sports, but shows like American Idol and Dancing With The Stars – shows that succeed by pandering to losers with nothing better to do with their time than watch these lame “competitions”.

You and me both.

-pat

 

[Matt34]

If you ain't first, your last!

 

[highfigh]

My son is 8yo and plays baseball and basketball.

Don't keep score in T-ball...it's pointless anyway. Other than that I'm for keeping score in all sports all the time. They always did when I was young.

This all reminds me of when we met my boys kindergarten teacher for the first time.(group setting) She said not to just let your children win when playing games. She has had many problems with children who couldn't handle losing on the playground. Then it becomes the teachers problem in the class room.

BTW, we never just let our son win at games. He had to win them fair and square...and he many many times.

We as a society are not preparing our children for the realities of life.

All this being said...all the age appropriate rules must be in place to keep the game reasonable and also conduct rules for parents and coaches.

I think the only person who a guy should let win is their girlfriend or wife. It makes life a lot easier.

 

[highfigh]

Lots of really good points already made that I agree with. A major concern is that we are not teaching kids how to deal with failure. This really started not with the feminization of education, but, with Mr. Rogers. There have been studies about this. Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was an excellent show in many regards except for one. He tried to teach us all that everyone is a winner and can be a winner.

A movement started in the education field to coincide with this viewpoint. PE classes were no longer allowed to keep score or declare winners and losers. Competition was basically banned in many other educational settings. I'm technically not even allowed to keep a chart of everyone's progress in plain sight because it "might hurt the feelings of another student who isn't as successful."

Competition, when controlled, is an extremely healthy learning environment. Many public sports groups have stopped using scores because it is the parent who can't handle the score. Children couldn't care less who won or lost. They only start to care when the parents make it a big deal.

This applies in some fashion and is a great comment on society:

The problem is not that we set the goal too high and fail but that we set the goal too low and succeed.

People are not learning how to deal with failure and therefor we have a strong push to pass everyone instead of dealing with reality.

-pat

Well, if you're familiar with the movie 'Dodgeball- The Movie", their motto was "Aim low".

 

[pzaur]

Well, if you're familiar with the movie 'Dodgeball- The Movie", their motto was "Aim low".

Touche.

-pat (who is now cringing at the thought of a groin shot from the red ball )

 

[highfigh]

Touche.

-pat (who is now cringing at the thought of a groin shot from the red ball )

"Welcome to Paintown, population you, bro!".

 

[lsiberian]

The problem I see in many towns (mine included) 8 - 10 year olds aren't allowed to keep score.
Also the infield isn't allowed to talk-up the batter. It's just part of PC indoctrination, and a general softening of our society.

Yeah that's sad. Trash talking should be encouraged. For some of us that's all we can do.

I think the reason we've become soft is we have no perceived threat. As bad as the Taliban is they are very limited in what they can do. And empire with no wars will eventually be conqured.

But I'm very competitive. I love team sports where you compete together to acheive a goal.

We'll be alright though. Our society really hasn't collapsed like peole think. In my lifetime the quality of life has sky-rocketed.

 

[Adam]

I think the reason we've become soft is we have no perceived threat.

That's what I was thinking, too. Civilization and cooperation are great and have helped humans thrive, but life (and staying alive) is essentially a competition.

You don't see gazelles handing out trophies to the slower members of the herd. In the "real" world, there are losers.

 

[adwilk]

In the "real" world, there are losers.

I've never met one, but I hear they like amps, acoustic panels, and chicklets...

 

[majorloser]

I've never met one, but I hear they like amps, acoustic panels, and chicklets...

Hi, my name is Dave.

 

[Adam]

I've never met one, but I hear they like amps, acoustic panels, and chicklets...

I can't be sure, but I think that you just smacked down most of AH.

If I had a nickel for everytime that I lost, but paid out $1M everytime that I won...I could probably still pay cash for Google.