Writer's Block: Tolerance 101?

[author_by_night]

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1. Fitness. Gone with the old days of either being able to play baseball or hiding in the nurse's office. If kids want to play baseball, they can go to the park  or join the school team. Or, if they simply can't part with their game controllers, they can get Wii Sports.

Fitness would teach kids the fundamentals of exercising for physical and mental health. Pilates! Carido walking! Strength training! 

This would encourage kids to maintain a healthy lifestyle without popularity contests, but at the same time being taught to do their best and recognize their strengths and weaknesses.

2. Family Living. We actually had this class in school, and I think it should have been a requirement. (Only certain "tracks" required you to take it - I think mine was the Social Studies track or something.)  I took it my senior year, and I learned more about life than I had in the entire four years I attended high school.

3. American Law. This was another class I took because of my track, and it was such a great class. So many people don't understand the legal system and how it works. It made me willing to go to Court when I got summoned for Jury Duty. (Well, the second time. The first time I was about to go away, so I wasn't so willing then. I had a Harry Potter movie to see, after all - oh, and right, my friends.)

4. World Religion. Sure, someone would probably get offended and the class would be canceled after the second week, but it'd be worth a try if it got more people aware and promoted tolerance.

Comments

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I wish you were in charge, those are all genuinely brilliant answers!

[ashavah]

#4 actually is a class in some schools in Australia. It's called Studies of Religion and teaches the basics of the world's major religions. I always thought it sounded like a great idea.

And as someone who did Legal Studies at school, I definitely agree that a little bit of law at high school can be a good thing. :)

[13oct.livejournal.com]

Great answers. World religion gets my vote for sure. It's appalling how some people are genuinely ignorant about other faiths. They are not bigoted; it's just a lack of knowledge.

[r-a-black.livejournal.com]

The Family Living one is a great idea, I haven't taken one yet but I'm looking forward to doing so next semester in college. It's odd to consider that people need classes on such a subject, but there you are.

[maureen.livejournal.com]

I'm so with you on the world religions thing. Nothing breeds intolerance faster than ignorance.