Justice for Men and Boys

'No man can sit down and withhold his hands from the warfare against wrong and get peace from his acquiescence.' Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924)

Professor Allyson Pollock calls for an end to tackling and scrums in rugby played in schools

By 8 Comments

Will there never be an end to the relentless feminisation and risk-avoidance in our society? Some of the worst manifestations are in our schools, largely run by female teachers along female lines. Characteristics typical of boys, such a boisterousness, have been pathologised and ‘remedied’ with psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin. It’s a national scandal. Now we have a female professor calling for an end to tackling and scrums in rugby played in schools. Why doesn’t she call for an end to contact sports altogether, and replace them with hobbies such as basket-weaving and knitting? Give me strength.

A short extract from her Sky interview is available through this link:

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12325/9172514/will-greenwood-reacts-to-the-suggestion-that-rugby-rules-need-to-be-changed

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  • I’ m sure I may stir some comment but I think I agree with the Prof. on this. At least to the extent that there are competitive sports that are less brutal. I am persuaded by some writers on AVFM who point out that getting boys and men used to brutal treatement and applauding it, is part of the whole ethos of men as self sacrificing human doings whose bodies are worth less than women. Totally agree onthe general point about Ritalin etc. But encourage competition without encouraging disposability.

    • The best way to deal with that is to get some damn armour for all rugby players. Don’t consult the fans, they’re not playing the sport, they shouldn’t have a say in that matter. (rules on the other hand…)
      Sure, there’ll still be injuries – but “male disposability” isn’t an excuse to wrap men in cotton wool against their wishes.

      • We’re not talking about men. We’re talking about children. They are not miniature adults. They are more prone to injury for developmental reasons. Like the size of tendons and ligaments may not match bone and muscle development. We have a duty to protect children whilst allowing a degree of appropriate freedom. As adults they can make their own decisions.

    • Thanks for this. Without men being conditioned in some way to be willing to undertake dangerous jobs, and enter the military, who’s going to do those jobs and fight the wars? Not women, that’s for sure.

  • Well,the next natural step would for women to call for an end to dog-fighting in the air, outlawing live ammunition on the battlefield,and perhaps demanding soft cushions for the tank crews.
    Max B.

  • Reblogged this on The Story of my Twin Boys and commented:
    Now Rugby is brutal for English boys……

  • Just to fan the flames . As a Lancashire lad I would point our that Rugby League was developed from Union to reduce injury amongst players, or partly so. In the days before sick leave or the NHS an injury to an amateur player who had a job or to a professional player cost ” brass” in fees and lost earnings. Meanwhile the “gents ” playing Union were better able to stand such costs. Competative but fewer breakages seems OK. And I do think team sports are really valuable in schools.
    On weapons etc I think the story about the WPCs and the too big gun was hysterical.

  • I have seen a lot of comment in various forums on this. Usually knee-jerk from people who have no experience of the particular subject. Interestingly, for example, New Zealand youth rugby is not played in age bands. It is banded on size and weight so that small kids don’t get “beaten up” by larger kids. South Africa have taken big steps to remove the competitive nature of junior rugby and make it more about fun. Oh look, who are the most successful adult rugby union nations! Think about it.

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