The Sedentary Files: Part 3
So far I have evaluated and attempted to stimulate discussion surrounding technology and the education systems roles in the increasing obesity rate in adolescents. I do not think that any analysis would be quite complete without taking a look at the home environment and the individuals who are charged with the care of adolescents and youth. However, before I do so I want people to realize that I am currently highlighting all of the negative issues and short comings, but I am not just a problem person. I am a solutions person! After we have explored the issues and problems we will need to begin exploring solutions. What we need to note is it is difficult to arrive at a solution without first exploring the problem. It is not that I want to paint only a negative picture, as there are a number of programs that are having tremendous success in battling this problem, but rather want people to sit up and realize what is right in front of them before it is too late.
Today's family life and parenting strategies and abilities are vastly different than they were a number of years ago. As each generation moves into adulthood, they find themselves facing problems the past generations did not have to tackle (or chose to ignore). Many parents work 2 jobs and struggle to make ends meet. The increase in single parent households has also led to many young kids being left home alone with few role models and little encouragement to pursue activities. Kids typically will follow in parents foot steps. Kids who see active parents will often choose active lifestyles. As an overgeneralization active parents = active kids and sedentary parents = sedentary kids. To follow up on this it correlates well with proper nutrition. Parents who eat well have children who eat well. Given the choice of making a pizza pop or making a full meal a youth 9 times out of 10 w
ill take the easy route. Anyone with kids knows they will eat just about anything if YOU put it in front of them and they don't have to make it themselves.
ill take the easy route. Anyone with kids knows they will eat just about anything if YOU put it in front of them and they don't have to make it themselves.So mom and dad are busy providing for the families basic needs. This does not excuse a parent from providing what is best for their children, but the question arises as to what does "best" mean? Does it mean a roof over your head? Does it mean food in your stomach? Does it mean a sufficient level of health mentally and physically? Statistics are an amazing thing that can be twisted and bent to support just about anything, but when looking at the stats surrounding today's youth and drawing parallels it is difficult to argue with the increase in youth suicide, anxiety and depression that coincide with increases in obesity and sedentary life.
A final note of contention that exists is the failure of home support for physical education programs at school. Parent Teacher interview nights are a perfect example of the attitude parents take when looking at the physical education of their children. Out of a 3 hour night there may be 2 parents of 90% students who show up to visit Physical Educators. Even after comments being placed on reporting cards that request a conference with parents and contact many parents choose to ignore it. It sends a fairly strong message.
What other issues surrounding home might pop up that is holding our youth health hostage. The list is endless, but it is one of the foremost important areas to start with when looking towards the solutions.
WOD
"1/2 Barbara"
5 Rounds for time
10 Pull Ups
15 Push Ups
20 Sit Ups
25 Air Squats
REST 1:30 BETWEEN ROUNDS
REST 1:30 BETWEEN ROUNDS
6 comments:
Hi Cory,
Can't help but agree with the 3 part series you have written. Since I am not a parent with kids in the school system I can't comment on that. I do however believe Diet and Exercise have gone the way of the dinasaur in todays children.
"Crappy" food is easily accessible and relatively cheap. Easy for hard-working parents to pick up on their way home from work. Also found in alot of school cafeteria's what's more important? Making a profit or making sure the kids are having a healthy meal that will get them through the afternoon?
Outside activity of kids is very rare to find. When I was a kid we spent every hour we could outside (until my mother tracked us down for bedtime). Video games or computers were just in the beginning stages when I was growing up so we didn't have any (we didn't even have a VHS to watch movies). We had friends instead, baseball games in the summer and street hockey summer/winter. As I grew up I participated in Hockey and Soccer until high school where I started playing other sports. My father was a dedicated spectator (single parent to boot) but he made time to watch my brother and I play sports.
So in my experiences there is complete validity to what you have said in the series here. I know how important diet and exercise are and will continue the same path I am on with my kids. I think ultimately parents have to really come to terms with what is important for their kids.
Thanks for the comments Sean O. Your insight is always valuable and I beleieve your comments reflect a lot of peoples upbringing and offer a real world view point.
I too have really enjoyed this week’s postings but have yet to weigh in. I think you have nailed some real issues here Cory. Technology, curriculum and the modern parent all lead to a certain deficiency in regards to physical activity.
DPA was a miserable experience, I did it in my math 9 classes for 2 years, and it was very difficult to perform in an already overcrowded classroom. I believe it also lead students to disrespect the classroom, you cannot exactly tell students that “the classroom is not a gymnasium” when you use it as one!
In regards to your comments about curriculum and parenting, your concerns are not limited to physical education. Even in the core classes students are not held accountable for their work ethic until grade 9. And this philosophy is changing; Math is now going to wait till grade 11 to stream. Add in ‘no-zero’ policies and we should all understand why kids seem ‘Lazy’, both physically and academically. I understand the motives behind these philosophies – give the kids a chance to prove themselves, keep their self–esteems high, don’t use grades as punishment/reward for behaviour (though is a no-zero policy not positive reinforcement of a negative behaviour?).
Unfortunately students are smarter than this, and the very capable can become the very lazy, as they learn that they don’t have to pass to move forward, in certain cases they don’t even need to do work. I believe we are reinforcing ‘laziness’ in some of our current educational philosophies and I DO NOT think the students are to blame for their attitudes/behaviours.
In other high school educational disciplines Parent-Teacher interviews are no better. In 5 years I have never seen a parent that I requested come in for parent teacher interviews, and I’ve requested at least 50. Instead, I see 2 or 3 parents of students who have 80% or 90% averages. These parents don’t need to come in but they do anyway just in case their student could do something better. This leads me to generalize (like your active parents = active students) that parents who care about education = students who care about education.
Rewards used to be about hard work, and as all Conquest members know, in the Gym this is definitely true. The same thing is true in high school classrooms. Unfortunately we seem to be emphasising reward (passing on to the next level) with no work (no zero’s etc.), and many students, like many adults I know, are not going to do work they don’t have to. Personally nothing improves my self-esteem more than reaching a goal that was HARD to accomplish, maybe this is something that needs to be emphasized a little more in our educational system. Self-esteem is essential for all humans, but false self-esteem can be deadly when the walls come down.
Now I realize that this was a bit of an educational rant, and you may be wondering what it has to do with unfit youth. I urge you to remember that healthy body – healthy mind works both ways and although hard work can come in many different forms, the lesson is the same!
Cheers,
DC
I agree with you 100% Doug. I failed grade 8 (after a year of me doing nothing but be a pain in the ass to everyone) Not only did I fail a grade...I was dropped down an entire school...and you know what...it was the best thing that ever happened to me...There was a consequence for my actions...(never failed a class again)
On the healthy eating topic...just finished watching SUPERSIZE me...research show that not only are kids healthier when given healthy food...they perfom better in their classes and their behaviour improves (especially wouldn't mind that part). I'd like to see a PD day spend on figuring out ways to get our students more acitve and eating healthier
WOD
"1/2 Barbara"
5 Rounds for time
10 Pull Ups
15 Push Ups
20 Sit Ups
25 Air Squats
REST 1:30 BETWEEN ROUNDS
Billy B - 12:44
WOD
"1/2 Barbara"
5 Rounds for time
10 Pull Ups
15 Push Ups
20 Sit Ups
25 Air Squats
REST 1:30 BETWEEN ROUNDS
DC - 12:29, think I got you in quick transitions and air squats Billy. I pushed hard each round, no breaks, situps were my weak spot.
Post a Comment