"Okay, Now do Ten Crunches."

Americans seem to be plagued with a gluttonous reputation. The United States is viewed as the nation who would rather play virtual sports on the comfort of a couch, than actually get up, change their clothes, lace their shoes, get in a car, drive to a gym, a tennis court, a park, a soccer field, or a pool to actually exercise. In a desperate attempt to keep up with American clocks that are set at a quicker pace than those in other nations, McDonalds provides the much needed food oasis. Thanks to the New Jersey state government, public school children from the first to twelfth grade are forced to fight the gluttony. However, the fight can only go on for so long. There comes a point when some will make the choice to practice a healthy lifestyle, while others are perfectly content in a lifestyle not recommended by the National Nutrition Association. Physical education in schools is beneficial to a point. However, there comes a time when physical education becomes nothing more than a wasted forty-two minute period. Physical education should not be a requirement beyond the eighth grade, and should be offered solely as an elective for those who enjoy and benefit from the course.

First and foremost, school is an institution founded on academic interests. Therefore, schools should allow for the maximum amount of time to be devoted to classroom studies, if a student so wishes. Many schools, including High Point Regional, offer enticing elective courses and AP classes that many students, myself included, have been forced to give up due to the necessity of physical education. It seems to be common knowledge that Americans, in general, are falling behind other nations in the area of technology. Typically, technology courses in high school are offered as electives. Time must be allotted for these electives, in order to properly prepare interested students for college and life beyond formal education. It could be argued that gym allows for extended academic learning by allowing sciences to have an additional lab period a week, however, it is just as easy to lab out of an elective, a lunch, or a study hall, as many students do currently.

It seems as though physical education was created for two main purposes: 1) to promote exercise and 2) to allow certain students an outlet for the energy typically not appreciated in the classroom setting. For those who wish to release the extra energy, the physical education opportunity should be there, but not all students need that outlet. Physical education would benefit younger children and preteens by exposing them to various sports that one could potentially participate in at the high school level, and by attempting to instill a love of exercise in their minds. However, in high school, it is time for teens to be treated as adults. Meaning, that by the time freshmen enter the building, their lives should be placed in their own hands with the decision to exercise or not to exercise.

Injuries procured in physical education are both unwanted and detrimental to every student. Firstly, many students are put in uncomfortable situations in gym classes while trying to avoid potential injury. For example last week, I was in a gym class with approximately a 24 to 4 boy to girl ratio trying to dodge balls thrown at my face by boys twice my size and with four times as much strength. It’s simply uncomfortable. No student should be put in a similar situation. Secondly, student athletes, who obviously exercise outside of physical education, should not have to worry about injuring themselves in gym class. That single injury could potentially hurt the reputation of the school in general, if the sports teams lose multiple players to physical education injury.

Let high school students choose. Physical education is a wonderful opportunity for those who want it. You cannot force a lifestyle on someone. That lifestyle can only be presented and taught, and after that, it is in the hands of the individual. Once physical education has taught the fundamental lessons of the sporting world, such a team work, the class becomes a hassle, and an obstacle for many students. So let us chose. The ball is in our court.