Can a governmental body (school) dictate personal fitness?

[Elenin]

I am wondering what your opinions are about this subject. On Tuesday, I was given a referral because I defied the shoe policy I had never even known about.

when I wore my Vibram Komodosports to Phys. Ed., my teacher said "You can't wear those." I then asked why? She then said that I needed sneakers and if I did not have any, I would be asked to go to the office. Then I proceded on to say something around the lines of "I don't have sneakers, and I don't want to go to the office. There is NOTHING wrong with Vibram Five Fingers and/or minimalist footwear whatsoever. Why can't I just wear these?" She then proceded to say "School policy, you need sneakers. Would you like to borrow some?" then I went on to say something near "Look, these are shoes. What is wrong with them? I'm not borrowing sneakers when I already am wearing shoes." She then said "School policy. Go to the office." Horrible excuse on their part. I have no idea why minimalist footwear is not allowed, but I plan on speaking to someone who feels like listening to me. When I explained my situation to the principal, she also agreed with the excuse "school policy" and would not let me leave till the end of the day (I have 7th block PE). I wish there was something I could do about it, but there probably isn't anything I can do.

I found the PE POLICY (district removed): https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1OOhWcs26W9EFWEo3WaEZ3F7D1n3o8OWXX5B9MN1mKDA

Policy requires sneakers with an artificial heel, as far as I can see.

I had a similar issue a few weeks ago when I was forced to put on my shoes during the middle of our jog to begin class. Yep, I was stopped 3 minutes in and asked to put on my shoes as they were "required" even thought I told her that I had been running barefoot for several months. If we were born without shoes, why should I be reprimanded for running naturally, or attempting to wear footwear that is right for me and is healthier than bulky heeled shoes? I'm just wondering what your opinions about this subject are. Be honest!

[CuriousDestruction]

Because it is believed that running with shoes is much safer than without, not saying it's true what they believe it's just what they believe. They also want to avoid liability. You break your toe on a rock in the class, that's the teachers fault for letting you run without shoes.

[Sugaree]

They can promote it, yes. But to outright force students into a healthy lifestyle? No.

[ImCoolBeans]

Well if shoes were seen as unfit for PE, then there should be no questions asked. It's expected that you wear the appropriate clothing, including footwear to be able to participate in class, not only for your physical fitness but for your safety. Lets say I felt like wearing slippers to gym, how safe does that sound? If they make an exception for one they'll have to start making exceptions for all.

[Amnesiac]

I had a similar issue a few weeks ago when I was forced to put on my shoes during the middle of our jog to begin class. Yep, I was stopped 3 minutes in and asked to put on my shoes as they were "required" even thought I told her that I had been running barefoot for several months. If we were born without shoes, why should I be reprimanded for running naturally, or attempting to wear footwear that is right for me and is healthier than bulky heeled shoes? I'm just wondering what your opinions about this subject are. Be honest!

Ah, a student activist. I like your attitude. Yes, you're right, the government has absolutely no place in dictating student fitness, which is why I don't believe PE programs should be required for graduation, nor do I believe in FitnessGram (http://www.fitnessgram.net/home/) and other government-administrated, mandatory tests that have absolutely nothing to do with the primary goal of a school – education.

You're not being unreasonable in questioning your school's dress policies. It's absolutely true that running isn't something you can do the "wrong" way. Whatever shoes you wear when running should be up to you. However, you've got to realize exactly where you are. Historically, every society has restricted the rights of minors. It's not unreasonable to do so. Being punished for "breaking the rules" shouldn't surprise you at all, and being told something is "school policy" shouldn't either. Some rules in school are designed for nothing more than "keeping order" and "obeying authority". I think it's a good thing you're so vocal about your objections, but complaining on VT isn't going to get you anywhere. If you really want the rules changed, you're going to have to lobby those who run your school district first, and getting people to agree with you in a society that's still obsessed with the stereotype that teenagers are a bunch of entitled idiots won't be easy.

Well if shoes were seen as unfit for PE, then there should be no questions asked. It's expected that you wear the appropriate clothing, including footwear to be able to participate in class, not only for your physical fitness but for your safety. Lets say I felt like wearing slippers to gym, how safe does that sound? If they make an exception for one they'll have to start making exceptions for all.

Then again, zero-tolerance policies are bad as well. I don't see a problem with slippers in PE. I mean, how do you grade exercise? Methods of exercise are subjective. For a class like PE, if a student is putting effort into their workouts, then it really doesn't matter what they choose to wear while doing that.

Safety only comes into play when there's a clear risk of something happening. Jogging in slippers, or in OP's case, athletic footwear, doesn't seem like a risky proposition to me.

[ImCoolBeans]

Then again, zero-tolerance policies are bad as well. I don't see a problem with slippers in PE. I mean, how do you grade exercise? Methods of exercise are subjective. For a class like PE, if a student is putting effort into their workouts, then it really doesn't matter what they choose to wear while doing that.

Safety only comes into play when there's a clear risk of something happening. Jogging in slippers, or in OP's case, athletic footwear, doesn't seem like a risky proposition to me.

Okay but let's say the person does slip and break their ankle, or they fall and break their nose because they were doing gym in flip flops, slippers, sandals or any kind of footwear that may pose a hazard when doing physical activity in, the school is liable and then it becomes a legal issue. That's why you are required to wear certain footwear to gym, rather than the footwear helping you preform the activities "better".

[Amnesiac]

Okay but let's say the person does slip and break their ankle, or they fall and break their nose because they were doing gym in flip flops, slippers, sandals or any kind of footwear that may pose a hazard when doing physical activity in, the school is liable and then it becomes a legal issue. That's why you are required to wear certain footwear to gym, rather than the footwear helping you preform the activities "better".

That's true, and I can't blame schools for doing stuff like that. However, the culture of liability paranoia that's formed around schools really isn't healthy, and to have a zero-tolerance policy towards these things doesn't benefit anyone. I still don't think the OP deserved what he got, especially since he was wearing athletic footwear. There's going to be a level of legal liability with every physical program, and it would make more sense to accept that and apply the rules sensibly than to ban everything.

[ImCoolBeans]

That's true, and I can't blame schools for doing stuff like that. However, the culture of liability paranoia that's formed around schools really isn't healthy, and to have a zero-tolerance policy towards these things doesn't benefit anyone. I still don't think the OP deserved what he got, especially since he was wearing athletic footwear. There's going to be a level of legal liability with every physical program, and it would make more sense to accept that and apply the rules sensibly than to ban everything.

I agree that the OP did deserve this. Legal liability comes into play here as well; let's say there was a piece of broken glass, a sharp rock or even a piece of metal where they were jogging, and he happened to step on it, the teacher could possibly be at risk of losing his/her job based on the fact that she allowed him to break the rules and run barefoot and he got injured as a result. I also agree that the paranoia surrounding liability is unhealthy, especially regarding schools. It creates a constant worry for teachers and administrators. I can think of multiple instances where a teacher of mine has commented on something saying something along the lines of "don't do that, I don't want to lose my job." There may be a bit of humor mixed in, but under that humor there is seriousness.

[DerBear]

Not a healthy life style No.

School policy is a diffirent matter and If an issue has arised must be disscused on an indvidual basis with the authority of the school.

Usually if it is a public school they have very slack standards on what you were for PE.

Also on another note. You are born without close so is it a good idea to run round naked, I think most of us would belive the answer is NO

[Elenin]

@ImCoolBeans I can easily avoid those things glancing at the ground from time to time.

@Lithium From another forum where this issue is being discussed, several PE teachers have commented and have agreed that it was a wrong decision. They allow their students to go barefoot in some circumstances

@CuriousDestruction There are studies that agree with the notion that barefoot running is better for your health than running heel to toe. Read up on Daniel Liebermann's studies, and Dr. Mark Cucuzzella just to name a few. Not to offend you, but what science is behind running shoes? Nothing

[Erasmus]

they should promote it, but not force it.