Why I Won't Be Watching Football At Christmas
Glenn A. Griffis -- I am thankful for that my parents put little value in their children's athletic development. I, too, am glad that while my wife and I put a greater emphasis on our children's athletic development than my parents did, it was never a priority in our children's lives. Yet all my life I have been told by educators and parenting experts that, "Athletics build character." Does it? Does our cultural experience with athletics support that premise? I submit that once people start getting serious about athletics, usually in High School, that there is no necessary connection between character development and athletics. As a matter of fact, I believe most athletic departments are motivated by popular social trends rather than by virtue. What athletics supports is people who conform to the popular social opinion. These thoughts in no way seek to disparage, athletes or athletics. I enjoy watching a good game or playing a good game as much as anybody, and...