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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Yes, that’s normal. Debate can be very educational, but it can also be really toxic. Depends on the culture of the team. I did it 30 years ago on a nationally ranked high school team, and it was like that even then (“spreading,” “kritiks”) but now it’s worse, from what I hear. I have mixed feelings about encouraging my debate-minded kid to do it. You can learn a lot about research, analyzing arguments, and public policy, but it can also be crazy stressful, just like any intense, competitive activity. [/quote]

Same here - I was a very competitive  debater in the 80s ( both my team and in personal personal performance ) but it’s a much more intense activity now. My dd debated throughout MS and HS but we live in an area where debate is still a little lower key, I describe it as “kinda like the 80s” in a positive way. Realistically, that means the kids have a lot of fun and learn a ton, but aren’t as competitive out on national circuit tournaments. I judged at the Harvard tournament a few years ago and chatted with parents. Their kids’ experience on the high-performance teams just sound a lot less fun to me than it used to be. It’s really an all consuming thing for kids at that level with all the stress that goes with it, super demanding coaches etc. I’m glad my kid had an experience that was really positive, even if it meant she was never going to be winning national tournaments. [/quote]

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