[BktBallRef]

First, let me say that when I wrote, " That's about as stupid as anything I've read lately," I was referring to the school's decision, not your statement or stand on the issue. Now, back to the discussion.

Originally posted by PSU213
First, who ever restricted this to the high school level??? Certainly not the original poster. At the high school level a girl is old enough to make her own decisions on the matter, and if she wants to try out for a boy's team, then I believe that to be her prerogative. I cannot accept, however, the argument that because something is permitted at the high school level, it is automatically justified at lower levels, yet that is what your post seems to imply.

Who said anything about restricting it to high school? What are you rambling about? In your post, you cited a third grader. I cited high school students. Are we not allowed to express our opinions using the situations we have knowledge of?

You wrote, "The fact is the school did not want her to participate because wrestling involves two participants in skin tight outfits grabbing each other, often times in the groin, and the school felt it was not appropriate for an 8 year old to be engaged in such an activity with the opposite sex and have the school sponsor it." My point is that a high school girl is much more developed than a third grader. Also, the boys are much more developed as well and sexual situations and touching are much more of an issue at that age. There aren't concerns on the high school level, why should there be concerns at the third grade level? This is competition, not groping and petting.

Our society cannot afford to speak in terms of absolutes. Not even our Constitution guarantees absolute rights: there is no absolute right to free speech, there is no absolute right to own a gun, and there is no absolute right to vote, and in each case the lack of an absolute is quite necessary. On the same line of reasoning, there should not be an absolute "right" for EVERY girl to try out for ANY boy's team, particulary in youth athletics. At the age when the girl can make an informed decision on the matter, allow her to do as she pleases, but before that time some restrictions need to be set.

When children are too young to make an informed decision, parents look out for the best interest of the child. if the child expresses a desire to play, the parents research the matter and make an "informed decision" that it's okay for her to play, why should the school board not allow her to play? And you can argue all you want but the bottom line is because she's a girl. Yes, playing sports is a privilege and not a right but it's not a privilege that should be denied just because of a person's gender.

In addition, your position cannot be upheld by example alone. As TXMike has reminded us, just because something is so does not mean it should be so.

However, he has yet to explain why it shouldn't be so. Neither have you.

How many times through our history have we held a practice to be an acceptable "norm" for society, only to come to the realization that the practice is morally and ethically deplorable?

So, now you're saying that it's morally and ethically deplorable for a girl to compete against boys? But I would love to hear the answer to your questiuon. Do you know the answer? How about giving us 5 examples?

Questions don't establish a point. Facts establish a point.

Yes, we need to eliminate gender discrimination, but we need to remember that participation in athletics comes with real consequences. We cannot overlook practical considerations (injury among them) only in the name of widening the scope of gender equity.

Any athlete that walks onto a field or court is subject to injury. Just because the athlete is a girl does not necessarily place her in a position that she is more subject to injury than a boy. If the athlete chooses to participate, then the athlete has made the choice. it;s not up to society to say, "No, you can't play honey. You might get hurt." Can you imagine a school saying that to a boy that wants to try out for football? Once again, it all comes down to the girl being discriminated against for one simple reason.

Sorry but the courts agree in these situations, that a athlete shouldn't be forbidden from competing simply because the athlete is a girl. Now whether the coach actually gives any girl trying out for a boys team a chance or not, is another story.