Why We Don't Let Kids be Kids

Longtime San Diego residents may recognize this piece of playground equipment.

Waynok, our official artist and videographer, has some interesting observations about the end of the playground as we knew it. He relates the safety craze to the generally rampant political correctness in society in general. It seems part of the liberal mind set that no one should ever feel any pain, or have to struggle, or feel discomfort. The latest outrage in this vain, (H/T Weaselzippers)is a soccer league in Ottawa, Canada that will penalize any team with a forfeit for winning by more than five goals.

In yet another nod to the protection of fledgling self-esteem, an Ottawa children’s soccer league has introduced a rule that says any team that wins a game by more than five points will lose by default.

The Gloucester Dragons Recreational Soccer league’s newly implemented edict is intended to dissuade a runaway game in favour of sportsmanship. The rule replaces its five-point mercy regulation, whereby any points scored beyond a five-point differential would not be registered.

It's as if the Discomfort Doctrine has become universal. I like Waynok's closing comments on the issue:

What is it accomplishing? Why is becoming super sensitive going to make everything better? Why can’t we just be a little thicker-skinned? This trend saddens my heart. I just hope it doesn’t keep getting worse because I don’t know how much of it I can take.

[Ed. note: Waynok is my 21 year old son.]