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Debate Info

200
249
Yes! No!
Debate Score:449
Arguments:109
Total Votes:544
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 Yes! (56)
 
 No! (53)

Debate Creator

kirstie1126(480) pic



Should physical education be mandatory in schools?

Will this help childhood obesity?

Yes!

Side Score: 200
VS.

No!

Side Score: 249
5 points

Phys ed is one of the best parts of school. That and lunch time. If school was all about sitting on your butt listening to your teacher blabber, that'd be friggin hell. I sucked at physical education in school by the way and I still was glad we had it and got to run around. I say it's important, not for obesity, per se, but because kids and teens are in their developmental years and if they're just sitting on their butts, they're going to make their life a serious habit of sitting on their butts. Plus, the ability to do run well by controlling your breathing and getting it adapted is a learned thing. If we didn't have mandatory running (well, my schools had it once a month, at least) to train us, I'd think running would be a good way to kill myself. Plus, the kids might like phys ed so much they'll join after school sports... which is always better than them getting bored and doing drugs or having sex or some crap.

Side: Yes!
5 points

PE should be compulsory because it keeps us constantly fit and healthy. If you really dislike sports, then you can quit it when you're an adult. But when you're a kid, the best thing for you to do is study, play and exercise. If you prefer to be lazy and lie on the couch all day then you are most likely to get sick and unfit. Besides, PE helps kids be better at teamwork.

Side: Yes!
MrChris2010(15) Disputed
2 points

Look at your first sentence, your main assertion. Prove it. Where is your evidence?

Side: No!
King0Mir(67) Disputed
1 point

If a short PE class falls short in helping kids stay fit, that would be reason to have longer PE, not to abolish it.

Side: Yes!
4 points

It should be mandatory because being active and getting involved in sports, even through PE, helps children develop good habits later on in life. Plus, there's the benefit of working together as a team that doesn't always happen in other classes.

Side: Yes!
1claire2 Disputed
2 points

P.E. does not help me personally build teamwork. The people who are really good get very mad at the people who are not as good as them. I personally can make myself sick in anticipation of P.E.

Side: No!
4 points

Definattley all those obese kids need excersise and its a whloe part of life of course it should be mandortory.

Side: Yes!
4 points

Across the country, schools have made physical education classes mandatory. Students must report to school gyms everyday, and try to improve their fitness. Some believe that schools should not make the class mandatory, but more as an elective. I think that schools should continue to make physical education in our country obligatory to all students.

In a few cases, physical education is the only form of fitness that some kids receive every week. Not everyone plays a sport, so physical education sustains their health. If we do not make this class mandatory, some will not have any fitness to keep them in shape. This occurrence may cause the obesity epidemic to worsen, and may also arise many other health issues.

Also, the marketing of video games and TV has increased tremendously over the years. Most kids stay home and stare into screens for most of the day. Although video games may benefit creativity, it promotes no fitness activity. By forcing children to take a physical education class, we are forcing them to make healthy decisions in life. Instead of staring into a screen, they are moving around and exercising their bodies.

Side: Yes!
4 points

You are 100% right because I am in Pe and they make us wear these stupid outfits. I think they make us wear those so the Gay coaches can see our private parts. and PE is just Stupid

Side: Yes!
4 points

(a) Debate point: Physical Education develops healthy lifestyle and fit body

Physical Education is a key subject that ensures that each student is physically fit. With Physical Education made compulsory in all schools, each student will learn the different exercise skills and will know how to maintain a lifelong exercising habit and continue to lead a healthy lifestyle even after graduation from schools.

By making Physical Education compulsory from Primary 1 all the way to Pre-University, the young age at which Physical Education starts from allows children to develop a healthy lifestyle from young that will see them through to adulthood.

(b) Debate point: Physical Education develops character

Beside ensuring healthy and fit citizens of Singapore, Physical Education also allows students to develop their interpersonal skills, social skills, team dynamics and psychomotor skills. For example, when children play sports and games during Physical Education, students are encouraged to develop the spirit of fair play in their games, thereby building their character and sportsmanship.

(c) Debate point: Government recognizes the importance of Physical Education

As evidence of the importance of Physical Education, in the latest Budget Debate, the Ministry of Education has stated that the number of hours of Physical Education in schools will be increased gradually through the years.

(d) Debate point: Statistics prove compulsory Physical Education is good for the health of school students

Physical Education is currently a compulsory subject in all schools. As evidence that the aims of Physical Education to maintain a healthy lifestyle among Singapore students are working, the prevalence of obesity in school children, that is, those whose weight are in excess of 120% weight-for-height in students from Primary to Pre-university schools, declined from 14% in 1992 to 9.8% in 2002. Whereas, after these students leave school and Physical Education is no longer compulsory, the rate of obesity among adults aged 18-69 years increased from 5.1% in 1992 to 6% in 1998. (http://www.wpro.who.int/internet/resources.ashx/NUT/sin.pdf) Therefore, this is conclusive evidence that making Physical Education a compulsory subject is critical to maintain healthy weight levels among Singaporeans.

(e) Debate point: Harmful consequences if Physical Education were not made a compulsory subject in schools

If Physical Education were not a compulsory subject, all schools in order to ensure their students score well during the national examinations, will naturally schedule more sit-down class sessions so that their students have more hours to study. This will be detrimental to the students’ physical and social development.

Unhealthy children will grow up to be unhealthy adults. Unhealthy adults will not be able to contribute to Singapore’s economy and this will lead to a downward spiral for Singapore.

(f) Debate point: They are still exposed to reality and do not live in a fake environment.

You say that making Physical Education compulsory puts the child in a so called fake environment is false. Physical Education is only in school, thus, they are still exposed to the temptations. Furthermore, when they are forced to exercise, they will keep fit even if they fall prey to any temptations.

(g) Debate point:

Physical Education does not make a child hate a sport. Physical Education’s purpose is just to keep a child fit so that he will not be obese and will be able to pass NAFA. A child will still be able to play his favourite sports outside school hours and even during recess. A child which really loves a sport will not suddenly have a change of heart just because he or she is forced to play a sport he hates.

Side: Yes!
3 points

Yes of course. Apart from the health benefits, there's the greater respect for the outdoors, sporting camaraderie, teamwork, reflexive situational calculation to name but a few. Now drop and give me twenty for your insolence!

Side: Yes!
4 points

Completely agree. Apart from the obvious benefits to children's health (which is being plagued these days by junk food and video games), they learn a lot about teamwork, overcoming adversity, and a healthy way to blow off some steam.

Side: Yes!
fitnessman12(2) Disputed
1 point

the problem is that PE classes these days do not do that. We do not need mandatory PE, we need better PE. Since most PE classes these days are every other day, once you factor in things like changing and attendance, the average PE student is spending 30-45 minutes 2 to 3 days a week playing basketball, which is not going to improve health drastically. What kids need is a class that teaches them good eating and exercise habits that they can use later in life to keep themselves healthy, not to be turned loose in a gym for half an hour.

Side: No!
JDrev(3) Disputed
2 points

When is the last time you had a Physical Education class? Hmm? Because now a days, NONE of that happens. Well I shouldn't say none- if there are two athletes then there'll experience some camaraderie when they run house by themselves because everyone else "sucks". PE is a joke.

Side: No!
3 points

Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States and it is said that seventy eight percent of Americans are not reaching basic activity level recommendations. As time goes by, technology increases and children are persuaded by different marketing techniques to play with electronics. Before the Xbox 360 and PSP, children would get entertainment from playing games and partaking in sports and other physical activities. Times are changing; however, and the dependency on electronics for entertainment is steadily increasing, which is causing physical activity level to decrease. By forcing children to take a physical education class, we are forcing children to learn healthy life skills, which is something beneficial to everyone. Exercising for a minimum of thirty minutes a day can do wonders for a child. Exercising helps release built up energy and it also releases endorphins, which are said to make people feel better and happier. Exercise also promotes better general health for all the body systems, especially the heart. Heart disease it the number one killer in America so anything schools can do to help promote healthy hearts and lifestyles is going to be beneficial to students. I think requiring students to take a Physical Education class every year should be mandatory unless the student is involved in some other sport or after-school physical activity or if the student is physically disabled. As obesity continues to be a problem in the country, we need to work together to teach children healthy habits as early as possible. By requiring physical activity in schools starting at the elementary level and continuing through high school, schools will be promoting healthy lifestyle habits that will hopefully be long-term and continue into adulthood.

Side: Yes!
3 points

Kids are fat these days.. p.e. helps!!1!!!!!one!!!!

and itll help them relize heath is important for there lame ass futures lol

Side: Yes!
3 points

Yes! and yes and yes and definately a god damn bloody yes.

Lack of physical education is the reason why your aunt or uncle is in hospital.

Lack of physical education is the reason why millions of people are fat.

Lack of physical education is the reason why you cannot sleep properly at times.

Lack of physical education is the reason why you are not having super great sex with your girlfriend(s)

Side: Yes!
DEL681651(70) Disputed
2 points

I would argue those are a result of lack of exercise. PE classes are very sedentary, and don't teach anyone long-term lifestyle goals. If PE is mandatory, people that don't want to be there (eg myself) will come in, do what you have to (maybe try to enjoy it), then leave. In fact, to the many people that hate PE classes, it may discourage exercise, because one associates it with really boring PE classes.

I also think anyone that participates in a sport (such as myself) should be able to exempt PE classes. Because really, I got absolutely nothing out of that class.

Side: No!
3 points

Because of the rising number of overweight, obese, and morbidly obese kids and the consequently rising number of health risks involved with such a sedentary lifestyle, physical education should be mandatory all four years. But school districts should also hire qualified physical education teachers that care and are not just there for a paycheck. Physical education should actually educate kids and engage them in a variety of activities, not simply have teachers calling roll, telling them to walk for fifteen minutes and then they can sit down. But teachers/coaches should also be sensitive enough to know when a teenager simply cannot complete the task and is at risk of injuring him/herself because of so much stressed placed on the body that it is not used to. Some may say that it should be optional or only mandatory for the first year. But if it is optional, or only temporary, we are stuck with the same problem, Morbidly Obese America. If mandatory for all four years, it would get kids accustomed to physical exercise and make it part of their daily lives at least nine months out of the year. If implemented correctly, an exercise regime like that, coupled with more nutritious food served in the school would promote healthy living. More teens would lose weight the healthy way and therefore have a better self image. If we are forced to complete four years of english even if in the end we become mathematicians or scientists, why shouldn't we also be "forced" to complete four years of physical education which is more beneficial to us overall, whether we be english or math majors. It doesn't have to be a boot camp if you have caring coaches and a school district that places emphasis on the health and well-being of the child.

Side: Yes!
3 points

(a) Debate point: Physical Education develops healthy lifestyle and fit body

Physical Education is a key subject that ensures that each student is physically fit. With Physical Education made compulsory in all schools, each student will learn the different exercise skills and will know how to maintain a lifelong exercising habit and continue to lead a healthy lifestyle even after graduation from schools.

By making Physical Education compulsory from Primary 1 all the way to Pre-University, the young age at which Physical Education starts from allows children to develop a healthy lifestyle from young that will see them through to adulthood.

(b) Debate point: Physical Education develops character

Beside ensuring healthy and fit citizens of Singapore, Physical Education also allows students to develop their interpersonal skills, social skills, team dynamics and psychomotor skills. For example, when children play sports and games during Physical Education, students are encouraged to develop the spirit of fair play in their games, thereby building their character and sportsmanship.

(c) Debate point: Government recognizes the importance of Physical Education

As evidence of the importance of Physical Education, in the latest Budget Debate, the Ministry of Education has stated that the number of hours of Physical Education in schools will be increased gradually through the years.

(d) Debate point: Statistics prove compulsory Physical Education is good for the health of school students

Physical Education is currently a compulsory subject in all schools. As evidence that the aims of Physical Education to maintain a healthy lifestyle among Singapore students are working, the prevalence of obesity in school children, that is, those whose weight are in excess of 120% weight-for-height in students from Primary to Pre-university schools, declined from 14% in 1992 to 9.8% in 2002. Whereas, after these students leave school and Physical Education is no longer compulsory, the rate of obesity among adults aged 18-69 years increased from 5.1% in 1992 to 6% in 1998. (http://www.wpro.who.int/internet/resources.ashx/NUT/sin.pdf) Therefore, this is conclusive evidence that making Physical Education a compulsory subject is critical to maintain healthy weight levels among Singaporeans.

(e) Debate point: Harmful consequences if Physical Education were not made a compulsory subject in schools

If Physical Education were not a compulsory subject, all schools in order to ensure their students score well during the national examinations, will naturally schedule more sit-down class sessions so that their students have more hours to study. This will be detrimental to the students’ physical and social development.

Unhealthy children will grow up to be unhealthy adults. Unhealthy adults will not be able to contribute to Singapore’s economy and this will lead to a downward spiral for Singapore.

(f) Debate point: They are still exposed to reality and do not live in a fake environment.

You say that making Physical Education compulsory puts the child in a so called fake environment is false. Physical Education is only in school, thus, they are still exposed to the temptations. Furthermore, when they are forced to exercise, they will keep fit even if they fall prey to any temptations.

(g) Debate point:

Physical Education does not make a child hate a sport. Physical Education’s purpose is just to keep a child fit so that he will not be obese and will be able to pass NAFA. A child will still be able to play his favourite sports outside school hours and even during recess. A child which really loves a sport will not suddenly have a change of heart just because he or she is forced to play a sport he hates.

Side: Yes!
3 points

if physical educations r not ter then u wud b a couch potato

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!howzz tat???

Side: Yes!
brycer2012(1002) Disputed
2 points

Tat is wrong. Just because there isn't physical education classes at school doesn't mean that you are a couch potato. My school doesn't have physical education, but I consider myself to be pretty active. People can still go out and jog or join a team.

Side: No!
dealwithit(1) Disputed
3 points

the point of PE is for other people (the coaches) to assess how fit you are and improve on that, because you might have too high of an opinion of yourself

Side: Yes!
3 points

If you do PE regularly, you will get a much healthier body. Which means that you will look better, which will boost your self confidence and you'll feel better. So therefore you will achieve better, and that will increase your self esteem even more, so you will get good marks in school and get a good job so you will do well in life. If you don't do PE regularly, then your body will become more overweight, so your self esteem will get lower and lower until you will be too self conscious to go out in public, and to try new things, so basically you won't be able to enjoy life. Whereas people with healthier bodies ill be able to do those things without feeling scared that people will comment about their weight. So therefore if PE is compulsory, then everyone will be able to go out and face the world without worrying about what everyone else thinks about you.

Usually overweight or small weak kids are the ones who hate PE. But if they get fitter and stronger then they'll grow to love PE which makes it a whole lot easier for them to do it more at home instead of lounging around being lazy, not bothering to do exercise. And when they grow up, they'll encourage their kids to love and do PE so they don't get teased at school. We are the top third obese country in the world, and with our growing population of around four and a half million, 55% of them are obese. 25% adult, 30% children. That's a lot of overweight young people, which are almost always the main target for bullying in the schools. There is also the small and weak kids, who can't defend themselves. But if there is PE in all schools, the obese youngsters will have less fat and more mussel, and the weak ones can build up mussel.

Some overweight girls will try on cool clothes but decide that they look bad, because most of the clothes that girls like wearing are tight and thin so they can't wear them because their too self conscious about their extra fat. So they'll be stuck in baggy old-fashioned clothes that will make another excuse for teasing and bullying. But regular exercise will make them look much better and healthier so they'll actually fit into the clothes that they like.

Side: Yes!
3 points

I think it definatley should be manditory. when you look on to the streets at kids playing they are most likley over weight because they eat to much and dont get enough physical exercise.

Side: Yes!
3 points

schools should have PE because the school i attend only has pe for middle school not high school we are a middle and a high school combined. because the lack of physical education in our high school many students are out of shape and have developed many bad non active habits and as our first year in sports our sports athletes have shown how hard it is to perform simple pre season conditioning and they quote "if we had PE conditions would be easier and would have made conditioning simple" the lack of exercise had caused them to only accomplish only 3 push-ups!

Side: Yes!
3 points

Because real PE lessons provide chances to people to realize on what they are capable of doing,so it will strengthen the self-esteem leading to them being productive in their society.

Side: Yes!
2 points

i think that PE clases should be obligatory in school to help the problem of obecity.

Side: Yes!
2 points

In my opinion I think that it should be obligatory to have PE classes in schools because it offers children a bit of exercise. If in every school of the world PE classes would be obligatory there would be much less fat children. Of course also some health classes should be included so that children know how to have a basic diet and so they won’t be obese anymore.

Side: Yes!
2 points

Most people think that PE classes are completely useless because the only thing you would normally do in a PE class is run around. But there is more to a PE class then just running around the field for an hour. With physical education you can get muscles, you can become stronger, it wouldn’t be so easily for you to become fat (of course you would also need to keep a balanced diet) and for further ages (like 60-80) it would prevent you from having heart attacks. With the help of this class there would be fewer obese children around the globe and more fit and strong people.

Side: Yes!
2 points

There are many arguments for and against mandatory PE. On the one hand, it would take away a period that could be used for academic purposes. On the other, there are growing numbers of obese and sedentary youth in our schools. However, physical education classes will not do much to make a dent. There is simply not enough time, money, or equipment to facilitate millions of students getting into shape. A better option is a "Wellness Class" to teach students good eating and exercise habits, and to do some exercise as well to get students in the habit. As the saying goes, Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, and you feed him for his whole life. Should we give students a temporary fix, or teach them to be healthy for their entire lives?

Side: Yes!
2 points

I agree with everything said her because children should learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. There should be stricter curriculums that schools are required to follow so less people in our country are less likely to be obese.

Side: Yes!
2 points

I think it is great idea to make physical education be mandatory in school because it will be healthy for the student to become a healthy person and they will not have the risk of obesity.

Side: Yes!
2 points

physical education should be mandatory cuhz 112,000 people have died in the year 2011 so far and it's because of the lack of physical activity and people are becoming obese!!!!

Side: Yes!
2 points

I will agree with this along with say that I believe a general outline or structure should be in place that leaves room for teachers to put their own spin on it. What I mean by this is a course guideline that involves three main aspects such as Health education, physical fitness exercises of course, and a emphasis on teaching the importance of teamwork. Just like any class or subject, if you have a teacher who's heart is not into it then the results will be limited. When kids are at recess they seem to form clicks and the great thing about P.E. is it creates the environment that everyone gets involved together.

Side: Yes!
2 points

The answer is so obvious. Teachers should let everyone exercise so they can strengthen their mussels and get thinner and more flexible instead of fatter and more lazy so they won't get bullied as much.

Side: Yes!
2 points

How are we supposed to curb childhood obesity if we don't start at a young age?

Side: Yes!
2 points

Exercise actually increases brain activity. Kids should have some sort of exercise before school, sometime during, and after actually if we are going to be smart about educating kids.

And obesity is a problem as well. Kids are getting fatter and fatter just as we are canceling PE, sports and bitching if a school should dare serve fruit instead of tatter tots... because tatter tots are more American I guess? I'm not going to ever understand that mentality.

At any rate, kids need to be taught how to be healthy early in life. It gets harder as adults and I can't even count how many fat people I've met who think "it's natural" until you see how they eat and realize "this motherfucker never even learned how to eat and exercise."

Side: Yes!
2 points

Physical Education is as vital as any other subject. 1) Without it we would develop a nation of unhealthy, overweight slobs. 2) Not everybody is Mathematical or Literate therefore having subjects like PE on the timetable are the only lessons that some children look forward to. 3) PE and Games taught me discipline, health and fitness and allowed me to develop a range of skills over a variety of sports. As someone who didn't enjoy school I believe it is the schools duty to engage and inspire everyone in a variety of subjects. I wouldn't have survived school if it was just acedemic subjects all day. Furthermore exercise releases endorphins that relieve stress, keeping children calm and ready to learn in other subjects.

Finally if we listen to all the people that had a miserable time during PE and Games at school and get rid of it then where do we stop? Do we then get rid of Mathematics because people struggled with fractions? Do we get rid of English because people felt ridiculed because they couldn't spell? Music because they can't sing? Art because they can't draw? Or do we try and promote physical health and well being as one of the main priorities because that is what it is. Whats the use of having all the mathematical, scientific knowledge in the world if you're dead before you're thirty because your obese??

Side: Yes!
2 points

because today lots of students are playing computer games when the school finish. and than students can't get good health and also students can get serious dieases like cancer because of electromagnetic waves. this is true because computer have lots of electromagnetic waves.

Side: Yes!
2 points

of cz phys ed must be taught but mustn"t b compulsory coz sme of us are not fit 2 du the extensive exersises perfomed

Side: Yes!
2 points

Yes. Physical education, if taught and encouraged properly and approached with the right attitude, will be rewarding for both student and teacher.

Side: Yes!
2 points

yes! our kids are so out of shape for the most part and eat too much junk

Side: Yes!
2 points

This will help kids learn good qualities like leadership and discipline. This could also lead to help childhood obesity. It is just the fact that kids are not pushed in their homes to have any physical activity.

Side: Yes!
1 point

thats so stupid. physical education teaches kids that it dosent matter if your a nerd or a jock because if theyre all in the same class doing the same thing then theyre all the same in the aspect that they only pass that class if they put forth effort. and from personal expirence sometimes there is a jock underneath the nerd outside

Side: Yes!
mist1hpfreak(11) Disputed
4 points

PE doesn't teach kids that everyone is equal in any way. when you have to wear horrible outfits for PE you're still getting made fun of. just because you're in the same class doing the same thing doesn't make high schoolers or kids in general any nicer. People are jerks period.

Side: No!
rocrockinpri(2) Disputed
1 point

thats y v r doing p.e v will b ging slim!! we dont hav to wear horrible outfits !!after U DO UR P.E

Side: Yes!
brycer2012(1002) Disputed
2 points

If that's the case, then why are people picked on at all? If the people are in the same class (academically), then they are doing the same work, but they are continuously picked on.

Side: No!
1 point

i think we should have gym because kids get FAT and tubby! its not ok for kids to get fat and tubby!!!!!

Side: Yes!
1 point

I feel like Physical education should be mandatory because people need there exercise. If they don't get physical activity they wont burn as much fats as they accumulate thus will get chubbier. They should be stricter during those classes of Physical education because a lot of the time people mostly just stand around. I don't want to seem sexist, but the ones that get the least exercise are the girls and they just mostly stand there and socialize. They need a way to keep everyone active, people need to get moving! They need this for there health!

Side: Yes!
1 point

people are just sitting on there asses all day playing video games when they need there fucking exercise. So fat people go out side and play football or something and people that are not fat stop playing video games and go and get your energy back and these are my words "peace out assholes

Side: Yes!
1 point

Yes, because...

1st, It's a fun activity of the school day, that we get to have fun, and at the same time, do our excerse-- lose the weight we've been gaining, not all of it, but...

2nd, Obesity is certainly a proble in the U.S., so it would help!

3rd, People can have a moment that they'll eat the school's fake lunch, then lose some of it, like the fat when we sweat!......................................

I'm Done!!... Now go get a life, and lose some weight!!!!

Side: Yes!
1 point

Yes. It was easily one of the best parts of class and it's highly important to have the opportunity to get up and move around after you've been sitting for the better part of the day.

Side: Yes!
0 points

YES, because some children don't understand anything expect physical education especially rich children of rich parents.

Side: Yes!
0 points

physical education is a waste of time and therefore should not be studied in schools

Side: Yes!
13 points

Obesity is certainly a problem in the US. However, we also have physical education classes in the US, and obesity rates are just climbing. If our PE classes are helping obesity at all, it's not by much. It would certainly be a better use of resources if we turned those space-hogging gyms into classrooms, and used all the money going toward PE equipment into payment for skilled teachers. Everyone agrees that math and science are the future of our country and our world- so we need to decide what really should be part of a school day. Not running around a track and getting nowhere at all- maybe learning how to find the distance around that track, or learning how the human body burns calories. Overall, academic education definitely needs to take the place of wasteful PE classes, and get our country ready for the engineering and scientific problems that are yet to come.

Side: No!
1 point

Obesity is a big problem. However, the dent PE makes in this issue is minuscule. Show me big progress, and I will participate in PE now. But it's not happening.

Side: No!
12 points

P.E. classes accomplish nothing. The reasons habitually used to justify it -- health, exercise, cooperation -- are unsubstantiated at best. I seriously question any study that alleges proof of these results. I would first ask about the control group. It would have to be a group of people who attended schools where P.E. was absent. Then we'd have to follow these two groups of people for the next 10, 20, 30+ years and record each individual's measure of whole health at regular intervals and compare the results. Then we'd have to do it all over again. Then we'd have to have other researchers do the same thing in other environments to accommodate for the numerous variables. This is how science works. Now I can't be sure, but I have a strong suspicion that this has never happened. The burdon of proof is on those who advance these alleged benefits of P.E. class; I have yet to be convinced. Furthermore, an open eye to one's friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers casts serious doubt on any purported success rate of this ideology.

P.E. class is a colossal waste of resources. I have never seen a physical education teacher spend his or her evenings and weekends grading exams and essays, engaging students in healthy debate in the classroom, or spending an hour after school working one on one with a student. (I am referring to academics, not extracurricular activities; therefore, coaching a team doesn't count.) I'm sure there are P.E. teachers that do have a very positive influence on non-athletically inclined students, but they are a chance encounter. I seriously doubt much thought goes into curriculum development. "Let's see, we'll do flag football first, then soccer, then track...perhaps we'll change things up and do tennis this year." This is hardly convincing. P.E. teachers are paid the same as those teaching students to write, balance a check book, and understand human anatomy. I could go on with other, nobler, educational efforts. In comparison, the resources used for P.E. programs cannot be justified.

Some may argue that students who actively participate in P.E. often exhibit characteristics of health and success. These students typically have an inate ability for athletics and actively engage in sports and P.E class -- it's easy for them. Athletically inclined students will excel in P.E., just as a musically inclined student would excel in Band. A gifted basketball player may also be on the honor role, be attentive and have excellent attendance. This is certainly true. Nevertheless, it proves nothing about the relationship between athletics, and by proxy, P.E. class, and academic and social success. Much emphasis is placed on, and respect given to, athletics. As such, a student who excels at sports, however equal in every other intelectual measure, likely develops a strong sense of confidence and self-respect. Both of these qualities significantly impact academic and social success. To say that athletic involvement correlates positively to academic and social achievement is simply a false analogy. It becomes clear when the social emphasis on athletics is repositioned.

Imagine that athletic ability and sports receive little attention. They are given as much social status as is currently afforded to a 4-H club. The quarterback of the football team is given as much recognition as the lead understudy in the school play. Even though these students can run fast and throw a ball, peers ignore these accomplishments and the athletes are looked upon as geeks. There is no significant social support to boost confidence and self-esteem. Aside from athletic ability, they are equal in every other way to their peers. The academic and social success of an athlete, when accessed in this context, will not be attributed to athletics; it will be attributed to other individual characteristics -- as all success should.

Dissolve P.E.. Instead, create a program that benefits all students. "Life Skills" is a preferred replacement. Teach healthy diet and safe food preparation. Teach first-aid. Teach household and personal safety. Teach basic household repairs and basic auto mechanics. Teach personal finance. These are the real skills our youth need. This is an investment with interest. These are the skills that contribute to personal and community success.

Side: No!
firewheel19(1) Disputed
2 points

how would you feel if you were forced to become fat and unhealthy? dont we all live in a country where we have human rights? our schools are forcing us to become unhealthy and inactive. We have to stop this. Schools should have physical education every day

Side: Yes!
10 points

Physical education does absolutely nothing for the children's health and/or lifestyle. Let me describe my PE experience.

Throughout my public education career, PE has been mandatory for each year. This has involved barely moving, standing talking with friends, half-hearted volleyball/dodgeball, yearly physical fitness tests that don't require effort, DDR, bouncing on fitness balls, and, most recently at my arts high school, watching sports documentaries and playing Wii Sports.

Unless public education is reformed, health classes can teach children what they need to know about fitness and nutrition, because PE classes are severely lacking.

Side: No!
9 points

Huh; well, in YOUR case, if PE was like that for everyone, it would totally be a waste of time. But it's definitely not like that in most schools. Maybe you just had a half-hearted PE teacher who was just there to get paid and didn't give a crap what the students did. But PE in my schools was pretty hardcore. We had lectures, we had mandatory monthly fitness tests, weekly to monthly running competitions, "fun" days where we'd do other stuff, like, archery. The only thing that made PE a lil less funner for me than it could've been was because of my hearing loss, I really didn't hear how to play anything or what to do or whatever. I had to stare at everything and everything trying to figure it out on my own or ask a classmate, and it made me look retarded. But it was definitely a nice break from the classroom; and it definitely ingrained physical strength into me because I still work out 5 days a week and want to be active.

Side: Yes!

I'd love to see some more involved PE classes, like the ones you were lucky enough to have.

Side: No!
11723(7) Disputed
8 points

The only reason your against it is because you had a bad experiance. Also because your teacher abviously didn't care. Your going off of facts on YOUR school not anybody else. So shut up and get our facts straight

Side: Yes!
HL0704(2) Disputed
1 point

Just so you know this is a problem all over the country. So I would say it is not just that person's school. This includes almost everyone in the entire country

Side: No!
8 points

some children simply cannot take pe. 4 example some r already in athletics and they are alreaddy training like crazy

Side: No!
joadam(9) Disputed
7 points

PE i not so physical you kow. Pe is just to keep the pupil fit A few sittps or push ups a day wonj=====rt

Side: Yes!
7 points

it is simply too tiring. simply. so that is the reason why physical education should not be compulsory.The minimum length for an argument is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.

Side: No!
joadam(9) Disputed
6 points

Stop your nonsense. You know for a fact that PE is so not tiring. Mr Wong Yew Meng

Chairman, Health Promotion Board

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Boys and Girls

Good afternoon

Introduction

1. I am very pleased to join you this afternoon for the finals of HealthZone Challenge – A Challenge of The Mind’. Forty-three primary and secondary schools have submitted many innovative health projects to the ‘Challenge of the Mind’ competition and six have been shortlisted for today’s finals. These health projects have helped students to enhance their knowledge of healthy habits. My congratulations to all of you for your enthusiastic participation. I understand that another component of the HealthZone Challenge is the Sports Challenge. Participants will have the chance to engage in friendly competition at a variety of sports stations, like rope skipping and golf putting. I’m sure you are all raring to take on the coming sporting challenge.

Background

2. The National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign (NHLC) is an annual month-long campaign that is part of the National Healthy Lifestyle Programme, which was first launched in 1992. This year’s NHLC was launched on 5 September 2004 at Sentosa with the theme, “Fit health into your life now. Exercise and eat right”. The campaign is focused on fighting obesity and aims to raise awareness of the health risks associated with obesity. It also encourages Singaporeans to achieve a healthy weight through regular exercise and healthy diet choices. These simple changes can make a positive impact on our health.

Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

3. In Singapore and many other countries, unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity have led to more overweight and obese people. Partly because of increasing modernisation and affluence, we have become more sedentary – exercising less, eating more, relying on motorised transport, and partaking in passive leisure activities like watching television.

4. The last National Health Survey (NHS) conducted in 1998 showed that only 16.8 per cent of Singaporeans exercised regularly. 54.7 per cent of Singaporeans did not exercise at all. 1 in 4 adults and about 1 in 10 students were overweight or obese. These are frightening statistics because the risks associated with excessive weight have been well-documented. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke are just a few health-related problems that can arise.

5. We know that with the right exercise and eating habits, you function better, not only in school and at work, but in all other areas of your life. Physically, you will be healthier and fall ill less frequently. Mentally, you will enjoy psychological benefits – a stronger self-image and better stress management. Just as an artist must put in considerable time and effort to produce an exceptional work of art, so are we able to strengthen our body, mind, and soul by taking care of our physical and mental well-being. As the ancient Greek physician, Herophilus, said, “When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied”.

How to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

6. As students spend a significant part of their growing years in schools, schools have an important role to play in creating an environment that inculcates lifelong healthy habits in students. I am glad to see that schools have undertaken such efforts wholeheartedly. In addition to promoting the healthy living message in classes, health education activities like ‘Fitness Day’, ‘Healthy Food Week’ and “Skipping Your Way to Good Health’ are organised throughout the year.

7. The Trim and Fit (TAF) Programme was also implemented in 1992 in support of the NHLC, with the objectives of reducing obesity and improving physical fitness among students. I am pleased to note that the TAF programme has reaped commendable success. It has improved the fitness levels of our students, reduced the percentage of overweight students, and helped to raise the awareness of the importance of healthy living. The percentage of students who passed the annual physical fitness test has improved from 57.8 per cent in 1992 to 81.0 per cent in 2003. The percentage of overweight students has also fallen from 14 per cent in 1992 to 10.0 per cent in 2003.

8. HealthZone, the healthy lifestyle exhibition centre of the Health Promotion Board also complements the efforts by schools. Through the wide variety of interesting and interactive exhibits and health education sessions, students are able to learn more about healthy living. Two studies carried out by HealthZone earlier this year have found that these activities have had a positive impact on students. Students have made changes to their lifestyle by taking better care of their eyes, eating more healthfully and exercising more. Many students have passed on their greater health knowledge to their family members.

9. I would also personally encourage all of you to take up some kind of sporting activity. Besides providing a good form of exercise, sports are an excellent way to make more friends, and build leadership skills, team spirit and discipline.

Conclusion

10. At this juncture, I would like to congratulate the Health Promotion Board for their efforts in promoting healthy habits among our students. I have no doubt that the Healthzone Challenge has been both stimulating and beneficial for the participants.

11. In order to enjoy good health, we need to consciously make changes to our lifestyle so that healthy living becomes our way of life. It is my firm belief that the simple changes we adopt can make a big difference towards better health and a better life.

12. I wish everyone here an entertaining and exciting afternoon.

Thank you.

Rebutt this!

Side: Yes!
7 points

The minimum length for an argument is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.

Side: No!
7 points

I do not believe it should be mandatory.

People who are on their ways to leading unfit lives are usually enabled by their parents, PE will not change that. Instead of being a safe, friendly environment for students to work on their health, it is a harsh class where sports, whether you like them or not, have their rules force fed to you, and a major part in the mark is the rules of said sports.

Even if the teachers are nice and tolerant to the students, their peers might not be, because, well, to be blunt; Most high school students are assholes, it's the plain truth. They make PE an unhealthy environment for other, less fit or "uncool" students, and can result in emotional and mental scarring and/or dysfunction. Health can be worked on, painful memories can't always be so easy to mend.

Also, it costs more to run physical education full time, and to every student in the school, then it would to run it as an optional class. Using less money to teach a quantity of students, more money can be put into the quality of the class, creating a better environment for the students who do participate.

Side: No!
7 points

Most people don't even participate in PE- and the ones that do are the already healthy, athletic ones. PE is a joke, a waste of time and a waste of money. I've never seen or even heard of someone positively affected by PE and I doubt I ever will. PE doesn't fight obesity. If someone doesn't want to be obese anymore, that's a personal decision they have to make and determination they have to withhold in themselves. PE doesn't provide the strenuous workout necessary to fight obesity- it doesn't even provide the workout for people to stay in shape! If people want to do it, PE can be a good, healthy thing for them. But ONLY if they WANT to... and most people just don't want to.

Side: No!
6 points

while yes phys. ed. classes should still be in high schools they shouldnt be mandatory(especially not all 4 years of HS). maybe just having PE be an optional class and having one year be a mandatory thing instead of a continuous PE class. in lower grades, yes it should be mandatory because little kids are more likely to gain and lose weight in weird patterns. That Is All.

Side: No!
WendyMac1991(17) Disputed
4 points

THAT IS ALL

As in, THAT IS THE FINAL WORD!

As in, I HAVE SPOKEN!

As in, THERE IS NO MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE SUBJECT

As in- okay, I'll stop. :D

Side: Yes!
6 points

phy. ed is just another class. students should start to be responsible for their actions by the time they are in highschool. if they are responsible with a car, then they should be responsible with their health. the tax payers also dont realize that they are paying for students to go swimming or play the whole hour.

Side: No!
6 points

Look, what I believe is that physical education should not be made mandatory and be optional in schools. Why? Because what's the need of it? What do you expect to get from P.E? Fitness, right? Well, fitness can be gained at home/gym too. Firstly, awareness should be spread everywhere that... basically that 'kids, don't eat too much, you eat a lot and don't exercise, you die.' I mean that kind of crap, the dangerous consequences of eating too much and exercising too little. Because whats the use of P.E at all if your kid goes to school, has P.E and comes back home and eats a dozen pizza slices? Its much better that you have awareness programs at school, and parents buy their kids a football, or whatever sport they want to play, so when their kids get home, they engage in sports, that will not only help in fitness but also build their character. Another thing is the freedom of choice. I'm talking about middle and high schools here. They are pretty much mature enough to decide whether they want P.E or not. They are able to consider the alternatives, analyze the situation and reach a decision so if you make P.E mandatory, you are taking away their basic right. In short, P.E proves to be useless and possibly an economic burden on the parents(very unlikely but still..). So there you are, P.E should not be mandatory in schools and even if you want P.E in schools, it should be optional!

Side: No!
jennaheeder(4) Disputed
5 points

The schools have no control over what a child's parents decide to allow their kids to eat. Maybe if these kid's parents knew their children shouldn't be eating a dozen pizza slices a day, then PE classes wouldn't be such a waste. Either way, any amount of exercise is better than none regardless as to what they're allowed to do when the their parents are in charge.

Side: Yes!
dsemple(2) Disputed
4 points

So, if fitness can be gained at home or the gym, then you would also agree that there is no need for Literature classes? Students can simply read on their own and have book club. Many physical educations classes also include health components such as healthy nutrition and how to perform exercises properly so that students can feel comfortable when they go to a gym to work out. Many physical educators understand that we can't do it alone, we promote healthy lifestyles by leading by example and communicating with parents and students about other opportunities for physical activities within our communities.

Side: Yes!
6 points

a PE teachers job must be really easy. they dont need to learn anything, all they have to do is yell at kids for an hour.

Side: No!
5 points

Specialization Specialization Specialization

That is the motto of Adam Smith, and that is why Capitalism works. Why do we all have cars, homes, and computers? Because of Specialization.

But why reserve specialization only for the college and post college level? The progress of human civilization Depends on specialization. Without specialization, we will never have the ability to advance technologically and economically and as fields become more complex and more difficult to master, we will soon need to specialize at an even younger age.

So how do we introduce specialization at a younger age? Simple, abolishing mandatory physical education. Let the nerds hang out with nerds in nerd classes and let the jocks hang out with jocks. They will specialize in their respective areas and then one day in the future they will be able to contribute to our society in their own specialized areas.

Side: No!
Bradf0rd(1431) Disputed
6 points

OMFG... I have typed at least 5 different responses to this and have concluded that you're either drunk, or kidding.

If you're neither one, let me know and I'll point out the flaws in your argument.

Side: Yes!
5 points

I actually think he's right..(as in about capitalism and not that it's the right thing to do)

but post the flaws please... I can't be bothered to think of any.

Side: No!
5 points

I'm in school and P.E. just make kids unhappy,a lot of people get sad because they are chosen last,they can't play for example I suck at P.E. class I hate I'm always the last to be chosen for the teams and it's not cool and it's not just obese kids there are many obese adults who did P.E. and didn't helped in anything

Side: No!
5 points

Besides just a few people apply physical exercises in their life's!

Side: No!
5 points

Gym class is a useless class that students waste time in. There should be a test and if people can not run a mile without stopping every couple feet they should join. There is also the fact people can join to get prepared for sports. Students should have that class time to use it towards their careers and not a class that is just there.

Side: No!
5 points

I HATE P.E. I have to run so much and I hate it soooo much!!!!!

Side: No!
5 points

P.E doesn't help fat kids the fat kids just eat too much or they are growing and eventually they will be normal.

Side: No!
5 points

especially swim it is because when there is a person that doesnt work how to swim and gets put to class where most of the kids are great swimmers the kid feels embrassed and all the other kids make fun that kid and also the embrassing thing is that if you are a slow swimmer the rest of the class has to waite for you. but i dont mind for physical education to be running and jogging i am not good at it but i can do it way better than swimming and if they are trying to stop the obesity cris they can help the group of kids that cant swim inviduale groups and make them better swimmers

Side: No!
4 points

Absolutely not. Though there is the problem of obesity in America, it is not the school's responsibility to stop that. We get enough exercise walking to our classes each day, and more students than not take part in extracurricular activities. If they feel it is mandatory to have such a class, we should not get graded on it. Some people, like me, are just not good at sports. Multiple times, gym has kept me from getting on the high honor roll. Gym, for me, is first period- 7 am. At 7 am, I can barely keep my eyes open, nevertheless play a sport. I should not get penalized for this by getting bad grades.

Side: No!
4 points

i'm not pleased with the idea to increase P.E. requirement. First, i thinks that it is not up to the college to require students to exercise. i believes that students have the responsible to choose whether or not to work out. Also, i says that there shouldn't be any P.E. requirement in the college. According to me, the college is a place to train our brain not our body. i adds that if students do need exercise, they can exercise on their own as me. i goes hiking and plays basketball in my neighborhood.

Side: No!
4 points

No. PE has been around since more than 200 years ago. Today, the PE is barely taking any effect, mainly because of kids stuffing themselves up with junk food. We should come up with better ways to prevent obesity, such as a healthy eating campaign.

Side: No!
4 points

OK no and yes I think p.e should be education which is teaching students how to eat right and live a healthy life style not making a fat kid run 10 laps around a track but showing them that eating right and exercise can BE FUN not having an obese child being bully because they can't run as fast as someone else. That is what physical education could be real EDUCATION. Students should not feel bad if they can't run a 5k or do 20 push ups

Side: No!
4 points

PE is a complete waste of time. Believe it or not most people are aware that exercise burns calories and is generally good for you. The other educational advantages of PE are already covered in health. Considering how many schools are struggling to budget, it seems ridiculous to keep teachers on payroll just to babysit a bunch of high schoolers.

Also, while grades in academic classes are generally kept private, everyone knows which kids are "bad" at gym. IN no way does PE encourage students to get active, if anything it causes a lot of anxiety for kids who dont fit in.

In my personal experience forcing someone to run a mile in a certain time doesn't promote activeness more than it does associate bad feelings with exercise.

Side: No!
4 points

Expensive, embarrassing for some, unfair for AP students that aren't in varsity sports because varsity athletes can waive the class.

Side: No!
4 points

Core classes are more important. Kids should be more focused on learning, and the competitiveness can cause bullying.

Side: No!
4 points

Sport should not be compulsaryy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So man kids get bullied in pe because they are fatter then others or more unfit! Bullies pick there victims each day in pe so all u guys on the affirmative team are WRONG!

Side: No!
3 points

if students so not have a physical education class then the obesity rate will go even higher than what it is now. that onw of the reason why also physical education reduce heart failure, improved physical fitness, weight reduction, self dicipline, and also stress reduction.

Side: No!
3 points

NO WAY! There are many people in my school who are fat and two periods of pe a week and afterschool sports has NOT changed any of them a tiny bit.

Side: No!
3 points

P.E. should be optional in 8th grade. If students want to participate, then so be it. However, in 8th grade students have a lot going on. That time may be used more beneficially by studying.

Side: No!
3 points

Physical Ed causes many problems. Also, we shouldnt need Phys Ed to graduate school.

Side: No!
2 points

1.) there could be alternatives such as yoga.

2.) bullying

3.) changing in front of others

4.) instead if your worried about obesity eliminate junk food in schools.

5.) it's not enough to cure obesity in the short time you have

6.) school is for learning

7.) Parents responsibility to see the kids are physically active, not the school

8.) it should be optional

9.) up to the parents to decide

10.) only in elementary

11.) physical Activity is only half the battle, you need to eat healthy

12.) PE has been in school for decades and it hasn't changed/helped the obesity levels

13.) knowing what the volleyball positions are isn't going to be on any collage applications

14.) Keep the money for the hard working teacher who stay up every night to grade papers and actually help the kids not yell at them

Side: No!
2 points

No. In a short argument, PE is a waste of money, time, resources, and do not in any way benefit society. We need to replace these classes with useful things, more Maths or Science, or basic life skills like how to replace a light bulb. PE is another example of school time wasted and contributes to the staggering number of unemployed people on benefits in our society. This simply wastes taxpayers money. Some say people excel in PE do well in life. Not true. If you look at students today, you see people who excel in PE but do poorly in academic subjects. People who succeed in academics do poorly in PE, but this doesn't really matter. In addition, many people already integrate some sort of exercise into their daily lives, and people should be able to choose their lifestyle. PE should not be a mandatory part of the curriculum.

Side: No!
1 point

It must not be mandatory, but at least a requirements but not more often. How would you consider PE if the child is not so well? And if possible separate boys from girls, for boys assign some good games of physical education activity to them, same thing with girls, give them games for girls ideas.

Side: No!
1 point

Well Well Well. I had muscle cramps all over when I am doing intensive exercises like doing a long run. You know, people are all made different, some maybe have longer stamina and are suitable for long distance runs and more intensive exercises. In contrast, people like me have lesser stamina and only suitable for less intensive exercises. Really, why force everyone to be the same?

Side: No!

There are plenty of students who don't like Physical Education, so, it should be an elective subject.

Side: No!
1 point

Physical education is definitely not necessary. You don't need it to get a good job in the future. Why do PE when you could be specifically working on something that you want to do in the future and actually having a chance of being good at it.

Side: No!

I think kids should have the option of PE or another intensive depending on what they enjoy or what career they want to go into. Personally i think if the parents want the kid to exercise they should tell hem to and if the kid wants to they will. School systems need to give kids more freedom.

Side: No!