To object to boxing for PE?

I'm extremely negative about boxing in general, our traumatic brain injury doctors get trolled and harassed relentlessly when they speak up about the dangers.
Seems a terrible idea for children with probably poor cognitive reserve anyway to then be directed towards a sport which will cause further neuronal damage.
That said, if it's training and bags rather than sparring etc the likelihood of injury is low, but I just don't like to see the 'sport' promoted.

What I mean is they try to organise a different, interesting activity for the kids and you want to moan that punching a bag is unacceptable. Presumably some PITA parent would also object to rugby because its too physical, football because they don't want their child kicking things, hockey because what if they smash each others teeth in with the hockey sticks etc.etc. They can't win.

I think you’re right OP. There’s a huge list of physical activity they could do - circuits, aerobics, dance (it’s not just for girls). I wouldn’t choose boxing for a school sport in the same way I wouldn’t choose rugby - why take the risk of injury?

I think there is a huge difference between an adult punching a wall and anyone punching a pad. One is an angry loss of self control, the other is a planned release of aggression.

He'd probably quite like punching a punch bag but we aren't happy with him doing that either.

I've had psychologists/OTs suggest my ND DC try using a punchbag (or punching a cushion) as a way of relieving pent up anger (before it escalates into violent meltdowns) a few times - I don't think it's a particularly controversial thing for a child struggling with emotional regulation to try, IME.

Hocjey, rugby, football etc aren’t exactly safe, especially if he’s not very coordinated and has had a head injury. The balls in cricket and hockey are solid, plus you have bats/hockey sticks swinging about - it’s not a very controlled environment and it’s a lot harder for the staff to keep an eye on everyone. Other martial arts involve kicks or throws, they aren’t necessarily any safer than boxing drills where there’s no contact. I’m not a fan of box but non-contact work is a safe way to burn off energy and frustration, build fitness and instill self-discipline.

Are you sure it's boxing and not boxing training?

It might be a positive channel for his aggression.

@Tarraleah i agree for NT kids - mine do martial arts and it has helped them to be less aggressive; more self-confident; more able to avoid physical conflict and use self control as they know when they can defend themselves but also know when they definitely can’t.

A lot of these classes are about self discipline, technique, strength and endurance and flexibility and exercise rather than sparring. My ds likes sparring and “hitting” but he understands that is what he does in class, not in the playground. Also when kids spar there are pads on every part of the body - it’s hard to be badly hurt.

But for ND kids I’m not sure that all these things apply - if they can’t learn self discipline, can’t regulate emotion, can’t understand what’s socially acceptable and what’s not, teaching them how to hit people is probably not a great idea.

We would love them to organise cricket, rugby, football, hockey, anything that's done safely. But they don't.

But they are all team sports and you've said that DS rarely engages - assuming there are other pupils who also struggle to engage with sports, I can absolutely see why team sports would be less than ideal.

You should practice a sport yourself.

If you think "boxing" - which probably doesn't even involve sparring is "safer" than football or cricket or rugby... you need to try them yourself.

If people get frustrated against the other team on the field, which is often, its a lot more dangerous than someone pummelling a punch bag. Kids can get injured in any sport (as mine will happily demonstrate with gusto, I think at least one got some kind of injury from every single sport they did!)

Yes, boxing is very big on discipline, respect and self-control. There are strict rules in and outside the ring.

I can't speculate on how this fits with the needs of children in your DS's school but presumably this isn't the first time they've done this and they are confident it will be safe and beneficial.

I don't see your issue with punchbags. Punching a punchbag is a great stress reliever, and great exercise. I don't think this encourages violence - it is physical, muscle building exercise like splitting logs (not that I'd be happy with kids wieldling axes, but you know what I mean).

I should imagine they will be very clear on the safety rules, and if DS enjoys it, it might be motivation for him not to hit people outside of the class, as I'm sure it will be made clear that pupils won't be allowed to participate if they use the moves outside of class.

I have ADHD and I find boxing exercises really helpful for it (the cardio, hand-eye coordination, reading other people and predicting their moves, increasing processing speed to react quickly, etc) so I think it might be worth letting him try it, as the skills involved and stress relief might actually help him. Most of it will be no- or low contact - realistically, they're not going to be told to punch each other in the face, are they?

Plus, if they have to hit pads being held by a partner, he might begin to appreciate the force of being hit and why it isn't pleasant to be on the receiving end of one of his punches, which could promote empathy and increased understanding of the violence he inflicts on others.

If, after trying it, you find that boxing does make his behaviour more violent, then it's reasonable to ask the school to excuse him at that point.

I definitely think it's worth letting children try as many sports and hobbies as possible, as one of them might end up being their 'thing' and a lifelong passion that they wouldn't otherwise have even known about.

If you're adamant that you don't want him to try it because of your beliefs, you could request that the school excuse him on the grounds of philosophical belief, as it's similar to requesting a vegetarian child doesn't dissect a heart in biology, and see what they say. But if you muddy the waters by telling the school that you also think he won't benefit/it might worsen his behaviour, it undermines the argument that it's because of philosophical belief as it will look like you don't even believe that not agreeing with boxing is sufficient a reason.

Or, you could ask the school more about their risk assessment, especially with regard to DS's behaviour, and let them explain why they think the potential benefit outweighs the risks. Similarly, I wouldn't mention the moral objections if you frame it as a disability accommodation issue.

He'd probably quite like punching a punch bag but we aren't happy with him doing that either.

WHY?

What possible reason could make someone have moral objections against punching a punch bag?

I don't even know what to say.

I am a woman who does boxing. It's a fantastic sport.

it's not about being allowed to hit things, thanks, we do have a brain you know.

Why are you so strongly opposed to see your son exercising, learning to respect people, learning boundaries and literally NOT hitting things or people like a maniac?

Well, if you're sure the boxing is incompatible with your DS's needs and/or you morally object to any participation in boxing even if it doesn't involve hitting people, you can withdraw him, but you can't demand he gets his own personal sports curriculum.

I think I can see why the school don't bother organising any sports......

They will not be fighting each other. Likely to work in pairs with one wearing gloves and one using pads. Probably a bit of a circuit style warm up as well.

Long as it's not people I'd be good with it. I do it occasionally in gym classes and it's very much about getting the stroke right just like it would be hitting the sweet spot of the racquet in tennis. It's really not fighty although we aren't a bunch of teenage boys!

But I'd find out what they are punching first.