by Toni Doswell

Created on: April 13, 2008

Because every touch to the human body is now suspect, yes,
the game of tag should be banned on school grounds. Today
we have too many parents and grandparents, who themselves
played tag, but see the game today as becoming a chance to
touch, hit, or wallop others. Violence has streamed across
the network media to the extent that some children do not
know their boundaries. They will use the occasions of playing

supposedly innocent games to inflict pain, or us these times
to touch parts of their classmates that are off limits.

Teachers cannot be everywhere at the same times. Since they
have only one pair of eyes, they cannot see who hits who or
where they are hit or touched. They have to scope the entire
play field or playground during recess time. Sometimes the
teacher's aide can help, but despite all of the adult supervision
at recess, before, or after school, nothing can be covered
full proof. When parents come with valid inquiries about their
children's allegations, it takes time to investigate and prove
or disprove that their claims are true. It takes away from the
time alloted to learning and the classroom experiences.

Complaints have come from children who feel violated during
such games. Girls, who have been taught to repulse being
touched in the wrong way, have perhaps come home mentioning
how they were touched or hit on various parts of their bodies.
This is no good news for parents who have sent their girls to
school and trusted that they would be safe from such advances.
Again, today's children have been taught these prohibitions
early on, and they are vocal to blame anyone who crosses the
line, even in a play. Today, even boys are known to have made
similar statements. It seems their classmates are no longer
gender conscious. The objections can be made against any child.

There are so many other games that do not cross the line
where we begin to assume on intent. Let us keep the boundaries
distinct and clear. If the game of tag is omitted from the
list of games to be played at school, it will hardly be missed.
Substituting wholesome games that include all of the children,
and games that will give them exercise without the would be
after-drama, in my opinion, is best.

Learn more about this author, Toni Doswell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.