Boxing should be introduced in our School System

I think this article has a point: In the States at least, School distracts do not know how to budget money...they throw money away and cut great programs in the process...kids today are fatter than ever and lack discipline. They should at least introduce a boxing program in the Ghetto schools since nobody gives a shit about them anyway. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.britishboxing.net/news_1781-Boxing-deserves-a-place-in-our-school-system.html Boxing deserves a place in our school system by Samuel Pinnington Oct 23rd 2006 While completely accepting the fact boxing is not for everyone there is an abundance of virtues that everyone and anyone can learn from this sport. A boxer's training revolves around mental development just as much as the obvious physical aspects of the sport. In this day and age, most careers rely on mental toughness and self-belief. These are two of the more valuable traits every boxer sharpens in the gym every day. Discipline is one of the greatest aspects of the sport and it is one that schools generally and pupils specifically could both benefit from. Discipline is a fundamental ingredient in any young person's progression and other virtues are borne from it. For instance the abilities of focus, concentration and control are areas that are over looked in young person's development. These are issues that children, particularly teenagers, are undoubtedly going to struggle with. Time is not made amidst the busy school schedule of core subjects to directly approach these areas of personal development. If they were emphasised as a valid area of education and personal development, surely every pupils all round progress in any given subject would improve. This is where the current education system could benefit massively from embracing the sport of boxing. To be successful there would need to be a very sensitive introduction with emphasis that it is not contact orientated and it is aimed at developing skills that are otherwise overlooked. The key would be to teach the values of fitness, diet and health, which are ever increasing areas of national importance. Lessons would elevate levels of fitness that basic P.E. and sports lessons already attain. A more holistic remedy that is not exclusive to people who show an interest, it should be regarded as its own entity in personal education. It could address the malaise of inactivity in the younger generations. IT DOES NOT mean all pupils have to get a serious hiding from the biggest bully in the class. It should be based on a boxer's training schedule which is largely driven by non-contact work. Focus should be on circuit training, bag work, instruction on boxing technique and core strength/ fitness. Targets should be given for each individual so everyone feels regarded and is given personal goals. This is a realistic lesson in how the world works. Making targets, meeting targets and beating targets. If these disciplines of focus, concentration and control are developed, the desire to perform better, to compete and achieve will be enhanced. A basic human instinct. One of the biggest failures in education is acceptance of pupils' apathy and lack of desire to achieve. They need targets, direction and competition. Once the initial weakness is knocked, the natural competitive desire will kick in. A boxing training element will also enhance any training schedule in any other sport whether it be for balance, core strength or purely mental toughness. On an entirely different level, it also gives children with a more volatile demeanour a vent for their anger and a channel through which to direct their energy. They can learn the disciplines of self-control and patience inherent in boxing. There could be an initiative to involve local boxers from the community to act as living, breathing role models of discipline. Pupils will no doubt find this a thoroughly enjoyable part of their education. The involvement of boxers as role models should be used in the regard they advocate clean healthy lives and respect for others. While this is not initiative to turn Britain into a nation of budding boxing champs, it could however be designed to use boxing as an aid in inculcating a variety of disciplines aiding all levels of personal development. With all the possible educational benefits aside it would also teach children a basic sort of self-defence. It is a valid lesson at a young age that there are ways of staying fit and healthy without compromising other aspects of their life. More importantly it is a kick-start to sharpen their minds and bodies for the ensuing challenges of life. Healthy body, healthy mind, the ageing adage that will stand the test of time. The question is, will the current education system?