Kid control

The death of common sense is inevitable in a society in which “deeply rooted social stereotype” is a term of abuse, and it takes many forms. Here’s one: Playground squabbles, the total control of children’s play to ensure total safety. When you walk by New York playgrounds today it’s hard to miss how stupid they’ve become as playgrounds. The only thing kids can do is walk across a few ramps or footbridges suspended over thick foam cushions and surrounded by impenetrable railings. Why would anyone over the age of 2 be interested?

One interesting point the article makes is the conflict of pre-emptive obligations like safety and nondiscimination:

“[I]n April 2002 a diabetic teenager won a landmark ruling in a case against Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. In February 2000, Tom White, who was 14 at the time, had gone on a school skiing trip in Austria, but collapsed with a hypoglycaemic attack. When the school subsequently refused to take him on a watersports holiday in France, he sued under the Disability Discrimination Act and won £3000.”

Take the kid and get sued for safety, leave him behind and get sued for discrimination. Much better to do nothing.
Posted by Jim Kalb at August 09, 2002 10:21 AM | Send