Several elementary schools in Colorado have banished tag from playgrounds. Seems some kids complained that they were chased against their will. Running games are still allowed, but only if students don't chase each other and there is less physical contact.
All I can say is: it's about time!
I still sometimes wake up in a cold sweat after dreaming that classmates are chasing me, culminating in being tapped on the shoulder and told, "You're it!" Is any declaration more horrifying that being told, "You're it!"
I live daily with traumatic memories of playing tag. That, and dodgeball. And I yearn for a world in which today's fragile children are free of being forced to play tag, a world in which they are not subjected to the torments and resulting years of therapy which have characterized my woefully diminished life.
Career-wise, I've been hanging around and writing about and cheering on churches and pastors for the past 25 years as my denomination's Communications Director.
My daughter Anna says the favorite game on the playground at her school is "cops and robbers." I'm sure all those kids will have to endure a group session on Dr. Phil one of these years due to the trauma that's sure to cause.
Cops and Robbers. Yes, that means some students must be the "robbers," thereby typecasting them as bad persons and, no doubt, resulting in a life of criminal mayhem.
"And I yearn for a world in which today's fragile children are free of being forced to play tag, a world in which they are not subjected to the torments and resulting years of therapy which have characterized my woefully diminished life."
HA! That gave me a good 30-second somewhat muffled (I was eating Raisin Bran) but hearty laugh.