Mandatory swimming in middle school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I went to ncs they required swimming in lower school. Even into high school whenever we had racial sensitivity days or town halls etc many of the African American girls would argue that they should have been allowed to skip swimming because of their hair. They said it was racist of the school to make them go swimming.

It is racist. And also racist to have a mandatory class that excludes them.

A history of segregated pools in the US is real racism, and it has lead to much lower swimming rates among African Americans, and much higher risk of drowning for African Americans. This is also true for other underrepresented minorities. We minorities drown at a much higher rate that white people. Mandatory swim class for everyone is not racism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you aware that, before the 1970s, many, many public school districts in the United States had mandatory swimming in phys ed, and it was required that you swim in the nude?

Are you aware that before 1975 many, many jurisdictions lawfully excluded women from serving on juries? Things used to be more terrible than they are now. But seriously, is that true about swimming in the nude?

I went to public schools in five districts in four different states in the 50s and 60s and never saw a school with a swimming pool, much less one with mandatory swimming lessons. The YMCA in Athens, Georgia did have nude swimming, though, so I assume this also occurred elsewhere. I’m sure that the thought of fifty or so prepubescent boys frolicking naked in front of adult male supervisors would set off alarm bells today, but I’m not sure if it did back them.

[Anonymous]

https://gr8erdays.com/2017/10/03/the-naked-truth-about-nude-swimming-at-school/

[Anonymous]

My college (Bryn Mawr, in PA) required all students to pass a swim test as a graduation requirement (obviously could be waived for someone with a medical/physical disability), and if you couldn't pass the test you had to take a class. I think something like that would be fine as a requirement in high school. Accidental drowning is way too common. Not sure about forcing everyone to participate in swimming as a competitive sport, if that's what's happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I went to ncs they required swimming in lower school. Even into high school whenever we had racial sensitivity days or town halls etc many of the African American girls would argue that they should have been allowed to skip swimming because of their hair. They said it was racist of the school to make them go swimming.

It is racist. And also racist to have a mandatory class that excludes them.

A history of segregated pools in the US is real racism, and it has lead to much lower swimming rates among African Americans, and much higher risk of drowning for African Americans. This is also true for other underrepresented minorities. We minorities drown at a much higher rate that white people. Mandatory swim class for everyone is not racism.

I agree with this completely. Maybe a single, mandatory, swim test to ensure basic safety would make sense, but not 2 weeks of daily swimming at an off-sight location that is primarily directed at competitive swimming. It’s fine to identify safety issues, but that’s doesn’t seem to be what this is about. I could be completely off base, but I would be surprised if there are kids in this group who wouldn’t pass a basic swim safety test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My college (Bryn Mawr, in PA) required all students to pass a swim test as a graduation requirement (obviously could be waived for someone with a medical/physical disability), and if you couldn't pass the test you had to take a class. I think something like that would be fine as a requirement in high school. Accidental drowning is way too common. Not sure about forcing everyone to participate in swimming as a competitive sport, if that's what's happening.

Agreed.

[Anonymous]

From a parenting perspective, this is a reasonable challenge. Give your kids the tools they need (including whatever swim wear works for them) to navigate. The school should also help with this, including dealing with hair. I’m sure there are black female swimmers who have solutions and could help schools figure out what to provide. Also Islamic swimmers, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My college (Bryn Mawr, in PA) required all students to pass a swim test as a graduation requirement (obviously could be waived for someone with a medical/physical disability), and if you couldn't pass the test you had to take a class. I think something like that would be fine as a requirement in high school. Accidental drowning is way too common. Not sure about forcing everyone to participate in swimming as a competitive sport, if that's what's happening.

I went to Colgate which had the same requirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My college (Bryn Mawr, in PA) required all students to pass a swim test as a graduation requirement (obviously could be waived for someone with a medical/physical disability), and if you couldn't pass the test you had to take a class. I think something like that would be fine as a requirement in high school. Accidental drowning is way too common. Not sure about forcing everyone to participate in swimming as a competitive sport, if that's what's happening.

I went to Colgate which had the same requirement.

We dropped the requirement. No word on whether or not the portion of the endowment tied to it was returned

[Anonymous]

I'm in favor of swimming classes at school. The hair thing is not a big deal. They can wear a swim cap. That's what my daughter does, even with braids. Not being able to swim is socially limiting and can be dangerous too. Plus it's really hard to learn as an adult. I'm in favor of promoting basic swimming skills for every child. My husband did not learn as a kid and hasn't been able to learn as an adult. It sucks for him because there are lots of things we can't do as a family.

[Anonymous]

ii think it is a good idea. unfortunate about the hair issues, but i think it is an overall win to have more kids knowing how to swim.

i think the swim test to prove you can iis also good, but that would be perceived as racist, i guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I went to ncs they required swimming in lower school. Even into high school whenever we had racial sensitivity days or town halls etc many of the African American girls would argue that they should have been allowed to skip swimming because of their hair. They said it was racist of the school to make them go swimming.

It is racist. And also racist to have a mandatory class that excludes them.

A history of segregated pools in the US is real racism, and it has lead to much lower swimming rates among African Americans, and much higher risk of drowning for African Americans. This is also true for other underrepresented minorities. We minorities drown at a much higher rate that white people. Mandatory swim class for everyone is not racism.

PP, you're correct here; however, hair concerns are real and should not be dismissed. To that end, if a private school mandates swimming a graduation requirement, the school should also offer a weekend or summer course for students who wish to take the class outside of the normal school day.

[Anonymous]

A school could mandate a student pass a swim safety test that is administered outside of school or school hours. This could be a graduation requirement or an annual requirement that kids upload to their portals like other health and safety documents. There is zero need to have enforced swimming at school if the sole aim is to make sure all kids are able to swim enough to avoid drowning.

[Anonymous]

Ugh swimming is such a necessary skill, but so awkward in MS/HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A school could mandate a student pass a swim safety test that is administered outside of school or school hours. This could be a graduation requirement or an annual requirement that kids upload to their portals like other health and safety documents. There is zero need to have enforced swimming at school if the sole aim is to make sure all kids are able to swim enough to avoid drowning.

And who will pay for the swimming classes? Why not do the same with PE or any other skill for that matter?