Jefferson’s Blog
Some election issues are timeless.
Thomas Jefferson writes on the issues of his day, and ours.
July 19, 2012
Is a physical education important?
“Health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong.”
–Thomas Jefferson, August 19, 1785
iCitizenForum
Frances says:
Physical education is absolutely important. Be it for students or life-long learners! It teaches teamwork, focus, good health habits and so many other things. It is a shame it is crowded out of the public school curriculum with social studies, art and music. Especially in this the 40th anniversary of Title IX, we must fight for the inclusion of physical education in schools and encourage it in our daily lives.
Bubba Greene says:
Logically, one might conclude from TJ’s statement that if one has a strong body or that one engages in practices which contribute to physical strength, then a strong mind will follow. But that conclusion is not true. Look at all the pro athletic types who can hardly speak and failed your basic basket weaving college course. Exercise as we know it today was (?) probably not practiced as the physical demands of TJ’s day precluded the necessity for most people. I will suggest that “health” was much less about “muscles” as it was santiation and possible diet. I will also suggest that while the concept of “health” existed in the minds of the day what exactly lead to “health” was unclear and largely unknown and in many cases was actually contrary to being or becoming “healthy”. Taken without any idea of the context of the comment I see no connection to the statement and the current day physical education programs and certainly no connection to any mandate that public education include “physical education”. Not that I oppose Phy Ed. All are IMO.