cactuspete wrote:wildrose wrote:Teen football player dies after helmet-to-helmet hit
This happens a couple times almost every year. If kids are dying, then why do we still do it? How is this any different from any other form of child abuse?
MrGreen and A2Z probably take this a little too far and I'm not sure if I agree with WildRose that this should be considered a form of child abuse (or maybe child endangerment). People might argue the point one way or the other. On one side they might say that all the protective gear makes it relatively safe, but if it's so dangerous that special gear is needed, then is it appropriate for public schools to allow students to participate? Some might say that the frequency of injury is relatively low, but it's undeniable that injuries occur at a predictable rate and so it does seem to be a form of child endangerment. I have no doubt that many people have been found guilty of child endangerment for allowing kids to engage in activities which are much less dangerous. I suppose it comes down to a fairly arbitrary distinction between which activities are popular and which aren't, in which case the issue isn't really safety!
It's best not to spend too much time worrying about consistency when it comes to laws and rules created by humans. There are cases where there were no restrooms available in which someone had to just duck behind a tree to relieve themselves that some judge decided that the person should be registered as a sex offender for indecent exposure. By the same token, there are cases where parents are completely negligent and kids wind up crippled or dead where the parents aren't even investigated. There is no rhyme or reason to the crazy laws we have or the crazy way laws get enforced. If you expect everything to be fair and consistent, you're likely to wind up pissed off at the world. I think some of those guys who go on shooting sprees make the mistake of assuming that they should always be treated in a fair manner and when they discover that this isn't so, they snap. But as for this football discussion, you can never be too safe, but when you try you wind up not being able to have a life. So, my advice is not to worry too much about inconsistencies, fairness, and justice and just go with the flow and enjoy what you can in life cuz life is too short to fight every battle you encounter!