Topic Overview

There is a large controversy surrounding the classic gym class activity dodgeball. Many agitated parents and children feel the game is violent and leads to physical and emotional harm. They argue that dodgeball is game in which the strong are given an excuse to pick on the weak and further promotes bullying. Because of this they feel it should be banned from school gym classes. They offer other arguments on how it has no educational value, and point out that there are one thousand other games kids could play in gym class.

The fact is though, while dodgeball is a violent game, it releases this violence in a controlled way and promotes extremely positive values. Dodgeball is a great form of physical activity for kids to release their energy and violence. It is much better from them to do so in a gym class in a positive and controlled environment with a teacher then to do so unsupervised. The game provides exercise to keep kids in good physical shape. This constructive physical activity also promotes teamwork in a fun and motivational manner. Also, in the subject of bullying, if we shelter our children now, how will they know how to deal with it when it happens in real life?
Overall dodgeball actually provides serious advantages and should most definitely be kept in the curriculum for physical education.