Diocese decides that girl can't play football

[SoftSocDad]

Maybe there were some young men just enjoying tackling her, too much. I mean boys will be boys. And it only takes one silly kid to ruin this girl's fun, while she is playing football.

And as long as people are coerced into succumbing to attitudes such as those expressed by the archbishop, the more likely it will be that a silly kid might be aiming to ruin this girl's fun.

I agree. It's a private school. Parents choose to send their children there. They should pick a school that is the best fit.

I also support the national high school federation's stance that football is a co-ed sport, meaning girls are welcome. I just believe private schools should have a right to make their own rules about stuff like that.

The buildings where most archbishops work are tax-exempt, which means that almost everyone else in a given locale has to in some way contribute to making up for the revenue which is not collected. The tax exemption does not attach to all church property, of course, but is reserved for buildings which serve the mission of the church. The archbishop's expressed opinion and decision rendered in this matter are, by definition, part of his duties in keeping with what he feels is the mission of the church.

For a number of reasons, unlike many people who wish for there to be a greater divide between church and state, I do not have an absolute objection to 'private' schools receiving public funds. There are programs which serve the common good - e.g. reading specialists for special-needs students - that the public ought to be comfortable with supporting. But when a primarily private school system *does* receive public monies either directly or indirectly, then the public has a right to scrutinize its affairs.

In short and in closing, the blanket statement "it's a private school - they can do whatever they want" is neither entirely accurate nor should it be deemed acceptable in a society which has a moral obligation to work towards reducing gender-specific discrimination.

 

[pizza-boy01]

Tell her not to worry too much; with the diagnosis of concussive injuries progressing the way it is, boys probably won't be playing football much longer, either. At least, in any form we'd recognize it.

 

[CoogansBluff]

.. the blanket statement "it's a private school - they can do whatever they want" is neither entirely accurate nor should it be deemed acceptable in a society which has a moral obligation to work towards reducing gender-specific discrimination.

I didn't say that a private school can do whatever it wants. I just believe that private schools - because they are not forced on anyone - should have broader freedoms than perhaps you might. Which is fine. I admire your concern for the morality of this. I agree that we have a moral obligation to provide gender equality in schools - which we satisfy with public education. All parents in the U.S. have the opportunity to send their children to a public school that allows girls to play football. If parents choose to take another path, I support that right. I defend their right to raise their children as they see fit (for the most part).

 

[MTR]

So should boys be allowed to play on girls softball teams?

If there is no baseball team, absolutely

 

[CoachKNH]

So should boys be allowed to play on girls softball teams?

There is no alternative girls sport for football, baseball is a good alternative to softball.

 

[CoachKNH]

I didn't say that a private school can do whatever it wants. I just believe that private schools - because they are not forced on anyone - should have broader freedoms than perhaps you might. Which is fine. I admire your concern for the morality of this. I agree that we have a moral obligation to provide gender equality in schools - which we satisfy with public education. All parents in the U.S. have the opportunity to send their children to a public school that allows girls to play football. If parents choose to take another path, I support that right. I defend their right to raise their children as they see fit (for the most part).

One word and a number: Title IX!! Virtually every school receives federal funds of some sort.

 

[MTR]

In short and in closing, the blanket statement "it's a private school - they can do whatever they want" is neither entirely accurate nor should it be deemed acceptable in a society which has a moral obligation to work towards reducing gender-specific discrimination.

What a crock! ANY private, truly private institution should be able to do whatever the elect to do. Don't like it, don't involve them.

 

[MTR]

One word and a number: Title IX!! Virtually every school receives federal funds of some sort.

Two words: Liberty University and they probably are not alone

 

[CoogansBluff]

Just realized that I was too lazy to actually read the article Amy posted until now and that this is not a school, but rather a rec league run by the Catholic Youth Association. ...

After thinking about it, my feelings remain the same - I will defend the organization's right to make this decision.

However, the handling of it - pulling the plug on the player in mid-season - is poor. And as I previously stated, I think the policy of gender discrimination here stinks, even though I defend their right to have that policy. The bad publicity and perhaps the power of some 100,000 signatures on a petition may effect change. I hope it does.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

If I was the Pope, I would resign.