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Spending time together. Pretty content dark-haired girl smiling and showing photos on her photos to her mom while mother hugging her

Do you remember that toy you just had to have as a kid? It seemed like everyone had one of them except you, and you just knew that if you got one, you would officially be "cool." You probably begged your parents to get you that toy for every birthday and Christmas. Chances are, you've probably heard these same requests from your child, but instead of a toy, your child has likely been begging for a phone.

It seems like all of your kids' friends have phones-a fact which you're probably reminded of so frequently that you're starting to feel like a stick-in-the-mud. Is it really a big deal to give your younger children a phone? What age should kids get a phone, anyway?

Let's check out some of the pros and cons of kids having cell phones so you can decide what's best for your family!

Pros:

Staying in Contact

Even young kids today seem to be involved in numerous extracurricular activities, school functions, and friend outings. Having a phone helps them keep in contact with you if they need a ride or have a change of plans. Phones also help kids stay in touch with their friends, making them feel like a part of the group rather than feeling self-conscious about not having a phone. How much your kids are out with friends or at activities might help you answer the question "when should kids have a phone?"

Safety

Because kids have more activities and events nowadays, there might be times that they need to call you because of an emergency, and having a cell phone will make that much easier. Say your child gets hurt at an extracurricular activity-they can give you a call to let you know what happened. In more serious situations, your child's phone can help you track their location through GPS location sharing apps. If your child is ever in a dangerous situation, you'll be able to find exactly where they are thanks to their phone. Troomi phones come with a built in GPS and the ability to check on your child's location at any time through our Parent Portal. Check out Troomi for safe phones that grow with your child to give you peace of mind.

Learning Skills

A phone is a big responsibility. By taking care of their phone and learning how to use it wisely, your child can develop skills like accountability, self-control, and responsibility. Sitting down with your child and outlining some rules and expectations for their phone use can help them think about how they use their device and teach them discipline as well. As they learn how to handle their phone responsibly, your child will also begin to develop good, lifelong technology habits.

Cons:

Cyberbullying

Every parent dreads learning that their child is being bullied, and unfortunately, technology has made bullying worse than ever. If your child has a phone, they might become a victim to cyberbullying over social media or text. Troomi phones, however, don't have social media and allow you to prevent all unknown numbers from contacting your child. With these specialized phones, your child can avoid many of the cyberbullying risks that other phones might expose them to.

Screen Addiction

One of the greatest risks that comes with kids having cell phones is screen addiction. Your child's brain is still developing, and by introducing more intensive technology use, their brain processing and attention span can be negatively affected. Too much screen time can cause your child to develop an unhealthy reliance on technology and eventually create a screen addiction.

Health Effects

The overuse of technology can negatively impact your child's mental and physical health. If your child begins to use their phone excessively, it can keep them from getting the physical activity they need. Things like social media can also begin to foster unhealthy expectations in your child of how they should look or act. These unrealistic expectations can lead to mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression or body image concerns.

So the next time you ask yourself, "when should kids have a phone?" consider some of these pros and cons of kids having cell phones. You might also wonder "what age should kids get a phone?" but don't forget: there is no "right" age for kids to get a phone-this decision ultimately depends on your child's maturity and what you feel is best for your family. Even if you're starting to feel like a stick-in-the-mud, don't feel pressured to get your child a phone just because all of their friends have one.

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Pros and Cons of Young Kids Having Cell Phones - Troomi Wireless

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Do you remember that toy you just had to have as a kid? It seemed like everyone had one of them except you, and you just knew that if you got one, you would officially be "cool." You probably begged your parents to get you that toy for every birthday and Christmas.

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These days, everyone uses social media a lot. Adults use it for work, and they enjoy it in their spare time as well.

RELATED: 10 Ways Social Media Is Affecting Your Teen's Mental Health

Little kids are also using social media a lot these days, and so are teenagers. There are a lot of great things about social media, but there are also some negative aspects of it as well, which is why some parents are nervous about letting their young teenagers use it much, or at all. Roughly 45% of teenagers are always using social media platforms. Here are some of the pros and cons of letting a teenager access social media.

10 Pro: It's Good For Their Education

Social media can really be helpful when it comes to a teenager's education.

Social media platforms can help teens find answers to educational questions they have that may or may not be covered in school. It allows teens to access advice from professionals in different fields without actually having to ask anyone anything. This is a fantastic thing, since it likely makes teenagers more knowledgeable on certain subjects than they would have been otherwise. Education and social media go hand-in-hand.

Social media gets addicting, which can be very negative for anyone, including teenagers. While it's great for education, this can serve as a huge distraction during some very important moments.

No one likes to have family gatherings when everyone is playing around with their phones, but that does tend to happen these days because of how addictive social media is. There are many possible reasons why this is true. Some people really like the attention that social media posts help them get and they feel more loved.

8 Pro: It's A Great Way To Learn Some Skills

In order to have a successful career and life in general, a person must have skills, and that is something that social media can really help with. There are certain accounts on social media that are dedicated to helping teens out when it comes to strengthening skills, which will be really beneficial when they start searching for jobs and also applying to college.

RELATED: 10 Dog Moms You Should Be Following On Instagram

It seems as though social media has allowed teens to have a lot of access to beneficial information that they would not have had otherwise. This wasn't the case for people who were teenagers before social media was a thing.

7 Con: Teens Sometimes Think It Defines Them

Teenagers put a lot of information about themselves on their social media accounts, which can be both good and bad. Young people are always trying to figure out who they are, which is another thing that the internet can help them with.

But the negative thing is that it can also make them feel as though people don't like them. If they don't get enough likes on their images or comments on their posts, then it can make them feel like some people don't like who they are as a person, which can affect them profoundly.

6 Pro: It Can Teach Them About Money

As far as money goes, social media can actually be a great resource for teenagers. There are many cases in which teenagers have created very lucrative businesses by using social media platforms, so this is probably also a great way for them to learn about business, sales, advertising, and how it all works.

There are many people who make interesting objects, and sell them online. Some authors even use their Facebook pages to promote stories that they are working on. Also, there are lots of social media influencers who can make money off their posts. It's a good idea for teens to learn about money, as well as how to handle it intelligently, and this is a good way for them to learn about it.

5 Con: It Can Bring Unwanted Attention

Social media can bring people lots of attention, which can be just as bad as it is good. Older people can usually handle this much better than teenagers can, since they are just starting to figure out who they are.

Anyone who has ever used any type of social media knows that it seems it can bring out the worst in some people. It appears that some people feel more comfortable saying rude things when they are behind a keyboard than they do when they are speaking with someone in person, and this can be a really hard thing for young people to handle.

4 Pro: It Enhances Creativity

It's possible that social media can actually help some people gain more creativity than they would have had if they didn't have the ability to access social media. It's usually a place where people discuss their goals and ideas, which can help others come up with their own unique ideas.

RELATED: 10 Things Moms Need To Know About Tweens On Social Media

Another interesting fact about social media is that it gives people the ability to access articles that they might have never seen otherwise. This can spark some great, creative ideas in their minds.

When girls post a picture of themselves online, the comments that follow are usually very focused on their looks, which can make teenage girls feel like their appearance is the most important thing about themselves. Many teenage girls already aren't very confident so social media isn't exactly helpful in that department.

It can make some girls feel prettier, but it can also make other girls feel unattractive, which can have lots of negative effects on them for years to come. Either way, this can make people think that a girls' appearance is all that matters, which is not true.

2 Pro: It Makes Them Think More

One could say that social media has given teenagers the ability to think more deeply about things.

Social media posts and comments allow for teens to see different viewpoints and opinions. It's a good way to see a debate and dialogue about a topic. Sure, this isn't always good or healthy and people can be rude, but it can help teens see things from another person's perspective.

1 Con: Cyberbullying Happens

Cyberbullying is serious, and it's something that teens (and other people) can encounter when they're active social media users. Cyberbullying started long before social media apps and websites became popular, but those things have only made it easier for teens to bully each other, which is part of the reason why some parents keep their teenagers as far away from social media as they possibly can.

Lots of people use social media to spread cruel lies about others. Some adults don't care about that, and they can just brush it off. But teens are usually very affected by things like this.

NEXT: 10 Topics Which Are Too Sensitive For Teens

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These days, everyone uses social media a lot. Adults use it for work, and they enjoy it in their spare time as well. RELATED: 10 Ways Social Media Is Affecting Your Teen's Mental Health Little kids are also using social media a lot these days, and so are teenagers.

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The pros and cons of social media and its impact on youth

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More and more children and teens are using social media as now 71 percent of teens use more than one social media app on a day-to-day basis. The constant scrolling and posting means kids can interact with hundreds of friends and strangers per day, and experts say it impacts mental health.

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Pros and cons of social media for children

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There are reasons to be concerned about social media, yet in other aspects, they could be actually a good thing for our children and students

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The benefits of playing an instrument are vast and varied. From increased tolerance and determination to boosts in creativity, immunity, and self-confidence, playing music can have a profound impact on our lives.

Who knows? You may just find that making music is the best thing you ever did for yourself.

Music is a powerful thing. Aside from its entertainment value, listening to music can have incredibly positive effects on our brains.

More specifically, it's been known that the way we act and feel changes based on what kind of songs is played.

This factor may also apply, when trying to manage your mental health, if you find yourself struggling with depression or anxiety, then try playing some upbeat tunes!

Music has an entertaining aspect, but there's more than what meets the eye.

How does it affect people who struggle with their mental health issues?

Research suggests that the simple fact of changing up one's playlist could help relieve symptoms, such as stress and sadness, by using different genres.

icking up an instrument and start playing, improves people's mood, and helps them get a better outlook on life overall.
Below you can find examples of products to get you started, and what they normally cost. Acoustic Guitar
Starting at $110
Bongo Drum Set
Starting at: $70
Digital Piano
Starting at: $165

Playing an instrument is a great way to express yourself and enjoy making music.

But there are some people that may not be interested in the time commitment or money it takes to invest in an instrument.

This article will take a look at both sides of the issue, and help you decide if playing an instrument is for you!

How to Get Started.

Some popular instruments for beginners are the guitar, piano, and drums.

Keep in mind any potential financial obligations with purchasing or renting equipment as well as time commitments required to practice!

Keep these points in mind when choosing your first instrument.

-Watch some Youtube tutorials from people who share their knowledge playing the instrument you are interested in, to get a feel for what it takes to learn.

-You can also find many books on Amazon about different types of music and musical history which can give more detail than watching videos online.

But be careful not to allow this to affect school grades or any other previous commitments you might have.

Again keep in mind any personal preferences before making a purchase.

What Are The Benefits Of Playing An Instrument?

1. Tolerance and Determination

Playing an instrument is not easy.

It requires skill and patience, which can be difficult to find sometimes.

But with time you will get better! With new milestones come small rewards for your efforts that keep you motivated throughout the process.

Just ask any pianist who has played "The Flight Of The Bumblebee" at top speed on their baby grand while wearing sunglasses indoors...

2. Listening To Music Improves Our Affection For It.

Music is a powerful form of expression.

It can be used to convey emotions, tell stories and build connections.

Music has the power to heal wounds as well because it stimulates parts of the brain that deal with stress relief and contributes positively to moods in general by releasing endorphins.

These are chemicals produced when we exercise or experience pleasurable activities such as eating chocolate.

With all this said, you don't need any special skills or training in music, to enjoy it.

There's no reason not to gain some additional benefits along the way, like improved memory retention, which leads to better focus overall, while composing complex thoughts.

3. Boosts Your Immune System.

A study done by Daniel J. Levitin and Mona Lisa Chanda found that listening to music or playing an instrument increased the manufacture of immunoglobulin-A,

Which is a natural cell that kills viruses when they invade our body's cells during infection periods like colds and flu season.

If you start feeling chilled under the weather, play some tunes on guitar!

If you're feeling under the weather, instead of reaching for your medicine cabinet or calling in sick to work, why not pick up that guitar and start playing!

The physical act of playing music has been found to increase our natural killer cells - a type of immune cell that kills viruses.

4. Stress Relief.

So, did you know that music can actually make us feel calm and relaxed?

Not only does it have an effect on our blood pressure and heart rate but also releases happy hormones through the bloodstream.

It's a wonderful escape for people who suffer from stress often in their life!

5. Build Self-Confidence.

It doesn't matter if you are sitting on a stage playing for hundreds of people or practicing with friends playing music will make you feel better and more confident.

One of the pros of playing music is that it can be a great way for people to express their emotions without words, connect with other musicians on stage or in practice rooms, and make new friends by learning an instrument together.

Playing music also helps develop coordination skills which are important in many aspects.

Not only will you be able to play your favorite song in front of your loved ones, but it is also a creative outlet and can help you develop other skills.

Creativity opens up many different opportunities for yourself that you might not have had access to before.

Music promotes creativity by making you force yourself to find different ways to create music.

What are the Disadvantages of Learning to Play an Instrument?

1. Not Always Easy.

Many people quit their lessons after only a few weeks.

If you want to avoid the same fate, make sure that learning an instrument is something you really enjoy because it can be difficult at first and if not done right will take up too much of your time.

2. May Require Trying Different Instruments To Find The Right One For You.

Many people find their favorite instrument right at the beginning of their music career, but not many.

In fact, many who initially learned to play a certain instrument switch over time.

Therefore be prepared.

You might have a tough journey ahead if you don't know which type of instrument is perfect for your needs and interests.

This may take up lots of time and money as you might buy multiple types so as to figure out which one is your favorite.

3. Routine Disruptions.

For instance, you may have to make tons of sacrifices with your job and schedule.

It is important to remember that while learning how to play an instrument can give you so much joy in life or even help people with mental disorders

It does come at the cost of some serious organizational issues which might not always fit well into our day-to-day lives as adults juggling many responsibilities simultaneously.

4. Time-Consuming.

But there are some downsides related to the time and effort involved in becoming a skilled musician.

For those starting out as beginners, you may feel overwhelmed with how much work needs to be done before progress can even start being seen.

Learning about music isn't for everyone, especially if your professional career requires long hours at the office.

Music will always be a part of our lives, but sometimes balancing family life with, learning an instrument, and a career, might prove to be difficult.

5. You May Need lessons.

For people who really want to take their music skills seriously, it is important that they find a professional teacher.

Teachers are usually paid hourly, which can be costly for the aspiring musician with limited income and not many hours in the day.

Thankfully though, there are some free resources online such as YouTube tutorials or websites like LickLibrary

These tools let you learn how to play guitar chords at your own pace, while following along on-screen, so no time spent practicing goes wasted!
More Related Content Affiliate Disclosure!
At no extra cost to you, I might receive a small commission for qualifying products, if you make a purchase via the links existent on this website.

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What Are The Pros and Cons of Playing an Instrument?

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The benefits of playing an instrument are vast and varied. From increased tolerance and determination to boosts in creativity, immunity, and self-confidence, playing music can have a profound impact on our lives. If you're looking for ways to improve your overall well-being, consider picking up an instrument and giving it a try.

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" I just want to improve as an actor, and I am also fond of dancing and learning musical instruments."

Mithila Palkar, Actress

However, apart from the many advantages related to learning to play music instruments, there are also some issues related to it.

In this article, the pros and cons of learning an instrument are shown in detail.

1. Learning an instrument can be fun

2. May improve your level of creativity

3. You may be able to earn some money

4. Playing a music instrument may brighten up your mood

5. You can make a professional career out of it

6. Women often like musicians

7. You can join a band

8. Can improve your coordination skills

9. May improve your confidence

10. You can find new friends

11. Some people love the musician lifestyle

12. Improvements in improvisation skills

13. You may be better able to deal with your emotions

14. Plenty of free learning material on the internet

15. You may be able to learn how to deal with being in the spotlight

Many people who learned to play an instrument will consider it to be their most important hobby and some of them cannot even imagine a life without playing music instruments anymore.

Therefore, if you consider learning an instrument right now, chances are that you will really like it and it might become quite an important hobby for you in the long run.

Many musicians are also quite creative. This is due to the fact that they always have to create new songs, adapt to new influences and so on. Since playing an instrument is so rich in variety, chances are that you will never get bored to reinvent yourself and to change your style of making music.

Even recreational musicians can make a decent income from playing an instrument. For instance, if you play on weekends on a regular basis, you can make a few hundred bucks each weak from playing music.

Therefore, playing an instrument can also result in a serious side hustle, which you may even turn into a full-time career over time.

Hence, learning an instrument can also provide you with the opportunity to earn decent money in the long run.

It has been shown in many studies that music can significantly change our moods. For instance, if you had many bad experiences in the past, music may help you overcome mental problems of many sorts.

Thus, you can improve the quality of life of many people by playing an instrument, which may give you motivation to further improve on a continuous basis.

In case you really take it seriously, you can even start a professional music career. Some musicians out there make a fortune by traveling all over the world for playing at concerts or by selling their music albums.

Hence, if you are really talented and are also willing to work quite hard on your music skills, learning an instrument may give you the opportunity to live your dream as a professional musician.

However, also note that the chances of becoming a famous musician are extremely low since there are so many people trying it. Thus, make sure that you have a backup plan in case your musician career fails.

It is not quite clear why, but women are often attracted to musicians and if you really become quite good at your craft, you will definitely have an edge when it comes to getting women.

Thus, if this is one of your main goals or struggles right now, learning an instrument can really improve your chances in this regard.

After you practiced for a while, you may also be able to join a band. While some people love to play in a band, others prefer a solo career and you have to decide for yourself which character type you are and whether you want to become part of a band or not.

Playing in a band has the advantage that you will be able to make many valuable contacts, which could also help you to boost your career as an artist and many people also like the feeling of community that comes along with being part of a band.

Another benefit of learning an instrument is that it might also greatly improve your coordination skills. Since you often have to use multiple parts of your body and your muscles at the same time, playing music is a great way to improve our coordination.

Due to all those things, playing an instrument can greatly improve your overall coordination skills and may also keep you flexible in your brain since you will always have to adapt and learn new concepts.

Learning an instrument may also greatly improve your overall confidence. Especially if you play in a band and play at many concerts, chances are that you will experience plenty of admiration from your fans. Quite often, musicians are surrounded by groupies and other fans and this feeling of confirmation may give you a great boost in confidence.

Therefore, especially if you currently suffer from quite low confidence, learning an instrument may give you the opportunity to get out of your misery and to vastly improve your overall quality of life.

Moreover, after your concerts, there will often be parties and you will get to know many new people over time. Some of those people may become really good friends in the long run.

Thus, especially if you want to socialize, chances are that playing an instrument can also significantly help you in this regard.

While many people give up quite early since they recognize that learning an instrument is not for them, others are literally borne with a natural talent and strive to get better every day. In fact, some people really love learning to play an instrument.

Moreover, many people not only love the learning process, they also love the lifestyle of being a musician. In fact, being a musician can be quite exciting. If you are good enough, you may be able to travel the world and to make good money from your musician career.

Moreover, many people also love the legendary parties and the overall high level of freedom which is implied by such a life.

Therefore, if you are one of those people who really love the musician lifestyle, there might be nothing better for you to do out there and you may want to give it a try.

Another upside of playing an instrument is that you can also greatly improve your improvisation skills over time. Many times, especially at concerts, bands get out of their comfort zones and improvise quite a lot to get a certain individual flavor in each concert.

Therefore, even though your improvisation skills might be quite poor right now, you will sooner realize that those skills will improve quite a lot if you play in front of a big audience.

Some people also use music to self-medicate themselves. Especially if you currently suffer from mental problems, you may want to learn an instrument and write some songs. Many musicians try to process bad things from their past in their songs, which may bring them great mental relief.

Therefore, you may also want to learn an instrument in order to be better able to deal with your past. However, note that music is not a magic pill to solve your problems and that you may need additional support from a psychologist in case you suffer from serious mental illness.

The internet is a real blessing when it comes to learning new things. There are so many good instructions out there, including videos that show you step-by-step how to become better in several areas of your daily life. Hence, if you want to learn an instrument, it is quite easy nowadays since you can just look up everything you need to know on the internet.

While this might take some time, you may be able to improve really fast with these instructions and it might in fact be the easiest time in the history of mankind to learn an instrument right now.

While some people love the spotlight and the attention, others may be rather frightened and do not like to be in the spotlight at all. However, becoming confident in performing in front of a crowd of people is often quite important for various parts of our lives.

Especially if you aspire to a leading role in the corporate world, you urgently have to learn this skill since you will be in the spotlight quite often and also have to deal with plenty of negative feedback.

Therefore, learning an instrument may also help you in this regard since you may be exposed to larger audiences and will learn how to deal with it over time.

Although there are many advantages related to playing an instrument, there are also some issues related to it. One problem of learning to play an instrument is that it can be quite time-consuming. You will have to put in plenty of work in order to learn and to become better. Especially at the beginning, this can be quite exhausting since it will take you a while until you see real progress.

Over time, especially if you aspire to a professional music career, you will have to spend significant fractions of your day playing music and this might conflict with your corporate career in the long run.

At one point in time, you will likely have to decide whether you want to become a professional musician or stay in the corporate world and only play music on a recreational basis.

If you really aspire to a professional music career, you might also need a professional teacher who can help you improve your skills in order to get to the next level. Sure, there is plenty of information out there on the internet and you can learn many things by yourself.

However, if you really want to make progress in a reasonable timeframe, chances are that you might be better off by getting a music teacher. Yet, those teachers can be quite expensive since they have to be paid on an hourly basis.

Thus, if you really aspire to a professional music career, make sure that you have a certain budget for it and that you will have to invest some money before you see any returns.

Apart from the costs of a music teacher, there are also some other additional costs related to learning an instrument. For instance, you have to buy your instrument in the first place. Depending on the instrument, the prices can be quite high.

For example, for a piano, you can spend many thousands of dollars to get a decent one. Moreover, you will also have to travel to concerts, which also implies that you have to sleep somewhere and hotel rooms are usually not cheap either.

Hence, there are serious costs related to learning an instrument and being a serious musician and you should take this fact into account when it comes to the decision whether you want to learn an instrument in a professional manner or not.

Musicians are also known for living a rather unhealthy lifestyle. In fact, many former musicians state in interviews that the consumed plenty of alcohol and drugs during their careers.

This lifestyle can lead to serious health problems in the long run and in case you are not a stable personality, you may suffer from serious health issues due to your musician career.

Playing an instrument may also cause some organizational issues. Especially if you want to earn money with it, you will have to be quite flexible regarding your performances.

Those performances and gigs may also interfere with your corporate job and over time, those organizational issues may become quite exhausting.

In case you learn an instrument since you want to pursue a professional music career, you should also realize that being a musician can be quite stressful. Although many musicians love the feeling to be on stage, it can be quite hard to tour around and to have multiple concerts within a single week. Thus, be prepared to deal with significant stress if you really want to go hard for it.

Many people also do not find their favorite instrument right at the beginning of their music career. In fact, many people who initially learned to play a certain instrument switch to other instruments over time since they like it more.

Therefore, be prepared that you might not know which instrument is right for you at the start and that you have to try several different instruments in order to figure out the one you like most.

However, this can be quite exhausting, time-consuming and also expensive since you may have to buy multiple instruments over time.

Especially at the beginning of your music career, chances are that you will also only earn low amounts of money. Nobody knows you yet and therefore, also the salaries that will be paid to you may be rather low.

However, keep in mind that this can change over time and you should not lose your motivation if you only earn a few bucks at the beginning of your career.

Also keep in mind that all big artists initially started out with those low salaries and made their way up over time.

Another problem of learning an instrument and being a musician is that you may also suffer from serious mental problems. Many people are not made for dealing with all the pressure that comes along with a professional music career and if you are one of those people who are not able to deal with pressure, this sort of professional career might not be for you.

Since it takes quite a while to learn an instrument, many people may also become quite frustrated over time. Especially if you don't have too much natural talent, it may be quite exhausting since you may feel like you do not make any progress at all.

Since learning an instrument is not easy at the beginning, many people also give up after a rather short period of time. Therefore, if you don't have the ambition to really be serious about playing an instrument, you might also give up way to early.

If you really want to become a renowned artist, you will need a certain level of talent. Sure, hard work is a key factor for success. However, if you don't have a certain level of talent, chances are that people who have this talent and work as hard as you do will sooner or later become better than you.

Thus, if you don't have any talent, go for a recreational career but not for a professional music career since you will most likely not make it to the top without having sufficient talent for it.

Learning Instruments Pros

Learning Instruments Cons

Learning instruments can improve creativity

Musicians often live unhealthy lifestyles

You can learn how to react in spotlight

Learning an instrument can be difficult

Learning an instrument can be fun

Can be expensive

May become a serious profession

You may need a teacher

You may be able to travel the world

Learning instruments can be time-consuming

Some people love the musician lifestyle

May lead to frustration

Can boost your confidence

May conflict with your corporate career

Music can improve your improvisation skills

Some people give up too early

You may find new friends

Some talent is required

Can help to overcome mental problems

Organizational efforts

As we can see from the previous analysis, there are many advantages and disadvantages of learning an instrument.

You have to decide for yourself whether the pros of learning an instrument outweigh the cons or not.

If you are not sure, you may just give it a try. After all, what do you have to lose?!
Make sure to get your first instrument right now. I suggest you start out with playing the guitar since it is not that difficult to learn and can be quite a lot of fun! Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_musical_instruments https://medium.com/giglue/top-20-musical-instruments-you-can-easily-play-693f603a2bcf https://www.britannica.com/art/musical-instrument About the author
My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues.

As I went to university and got my Master's degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics.

After finishing university, I traveled around the world. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet.

Wanna make a contribution to save our environment? Share it!

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27 Sound Pros & Cons Of Learning An Instrument - E&C

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" I just want to improve as an actor, and I am also fond of dancing and learning musical instruments." Mithila Palkar, Actress However, apart from the many advantages related to learning to play music instruments, there are also some issues related to it.

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As a child my parents had each of us kids take at least four years of piano lessons. At eight, I took my first piano lesson and hated it! I dreaded the daily practice, boring songs, and performing in front of my piano teacher weekly. I felt like four years of music lessons would kill me.

After a year or two of piano lessons, our band and orchestra teacher from the elementary school invited all the students to join in the music program. Of course I wanted to join because the violin would be different, right? Amid all of the excitement, I asked my parents if I could join orchestra, and they agreed.

This decision led to a handful of instructors and countless hours of practice. From my experience I have decided to compile the pros and cons of learning to play a musical instrument.

Pros of Learning to Play a Musical Instrument:

What are the advantages of learning a Musical Instrument?

1. Music helps you deal with the pressures of life. Music has the power to help lighten hearts, relieve stress, and cope with hard things. Learning music can be a perfect antidote as you take time to practice daily.

2. You can bring a lot of joy to others. I don't know one person that hates music. Everyone has a different taste, but no one hates all music. I have seen my violin bring joy to grandparents, church congregations, various audiences, and myself. You don't have to be world famous to use your ability to play and instrument to bring joy to others.

3. As a musician, you can find a lot of peace and fulfillment. As you finish performing the most time-intensive pieces , you may feel as though you are on cloud nine!

4. Playing music stretches you. Do you need something that will push you? From sitting and staring at unknown notes to music theory, your brain will feel stretched!

5. A whole new world was opened up to me through music. I learned I could do hard things, and learned to stick with something I hated at first. This is a valuable thing many musician in the making learn. Kids that play music have an advantage. Note: The farther a child makes it in their music career the more opportunities open. These talents can lead to college acceptance letters and scholarships, that would otherwise not be available.

6. You can meet lifelong friends as you play music together. Who knows you, might also become rich and famous with those friends...

7. You won't feel out of place at a talent show. Have you ever been asked to perform at a talent show, and you have nothing to show? With music, there is always something to present.

8. Once you learn it, you can pick it back up again. You may be a bit rusty when you return to playing, but with some valent effort you can return to being the musician you once were.

9. Music provides countless service activities. Does your choir need a violin soloist? Does your local nursing home want a Bluegrass band for their valentines festivities? Does your church need a pianist for congregational hymns? Does your community want a drummer for your fourth of July parade? Believe me, there are hundreds of ways to serve through music.

10. Learning an instrument build confidence. I felt so confident as I carried my violin case down the hallways of my elementary school. This feeling continued as I finally mastered the fiddling piece, "The Devils Dream". Learning an instrument is a great way to boost confidence.

Cons of Learning a Musical Instrument:

What are the downsides of learning a musical instrument?

1. It takes a lot of time! Do you love sitting still for hours and practicing what seems impossible? I HATE it! When it was time to practice, I thought I might die if I had to miss one more minute of outside time. I know I checked the kitchen timer way more then was necessary.

2. You may hate the music you are playing. A lot of my music teachers were into songs that would make your grandma turn off her hearing aides. At the time, I felt like ripping my hair out! It may take some begging before your music teacher will let you play what kind of music you are passionate about.

3. Music lessons can cost a pretty penny. If you are paying for a teenager down the street, it may cost $15 per lesson. If you want a teacher with a degree in music, plan on $50 for a 30-minute lesson.

4. Instruments can be loud. Is your only free time ten o'clock at night? If this is the case, your family may not enjoy you beating on drums for an hour of practice.

5. You don't always sound amazing when playing a new instrument! It sometimes takes years before you are enjoyable for others to listen to. Just keep in mind the best things come with time!

6. Learning an instrument doesn't happen overnight. I have seen too many instruments that were bought with good intensions, never again to be used. If you want to learn an instrument you have to be committed.

7. Instruments can be expensive. If you choose to rent or buy an instrument can be a couple hundred dollars .One girl in my orchestra had a bow that was $500! That was just a bow!

8. You may need to purchase a lot more then just an instrument. Every instrument has its accessories that are must haves. This can be frustrating as a new musician! So you can get a better idea of what I am talking about, I have included what you need to have on hand as a violinist.

What accessories do I need to buy to learn the violin?

This is just a violin! Every instrument is so different, so make sure you know what you are getting into before you jump.

"Our goal is to help the world make decisions with a list of Pros and Cons. We invite all to add to our lists to help others make the most educated decision possible. We are all in this world together to help each other and learn from what others have learned from their lives journey." - Pros and Cons Team

Written by: Sarah

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Pros and Cons of Learning How to Play a Musical Instrument - Pros and Cons

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As a child my parents had each of us kids take at least four years of piano lessons. At eight, I took my first piano lesson and hated it! I dreaded the daily practice, boring songs, and performing in front of my piano teacher weekly.

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The concept of animal rights is based on the idea that some or all non-human animals have a right to live their own lives and to be viewed as persons rather than property. This effectively makes the use of animals as research subjects, for entertainment, clothing, food, and as beasts of burden prohibited. A strong advocate of animal rights is the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA. In the Unites States, there are plenty of organizations that uphold animal rights and where volunteers can join in to offer support. These are the American Humane Association, Animal Allies, Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting, and Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), to name a few.

In 1966, the Animal Welfare Act was signed into law and is enforced by the Animal Care, APHIS and USDA. It is the only federal law that regulates the treatment of animals in research, transport, exhibition, and by dealers. Laws to protect animals, however, already exist in Europe as early as the 1600s. In 1635, a law was passed in Ireland where it is prohibited to pull wool off a sheep and for ploughs to be attached to a horse's tail, referring to the act as "the cruelty used to beasts". But opponents of animal rights claim that treatment of animals is just because they lack reason and are nothing more than complex automata. Should animals be treated like humans, then?

List of Pros of Animal Rights

1. Save animal lives
Testing and experiments done on animals are not always reliable in certain situations. After all, humans and certain species are extremely different, resulting in tests that are inconclusive. So, there really is no need to use animals for testing or hurt them in the process. Unfortunately, a lot of products have to be tested on animals before they are approved for human consumption.

2. Dead animals are no use for humans
If an animal dies during an experiment or test, no results will be gathered. This would only lead to more animals dying before anything conclusive is achieved. What is even worse is that when an animal dies, the ecosystem will be damaged and human beings will pay for the price. Nature has a very delicate system that will cause a chain reaction if disturbed. When this happens no human will be safe. So why mess with the works of Mother Nature?

3. Saves money
Performing animal tests are expensive. Candidates for experimental tests require special food, shelter and care that don't come cheap. Good enough if the test results will come out conclusive. Otherwise, all efforts, money and time are wasted, more so if an animal requires special treatment to obtain long-term results. Because of how expensive animal testing is some companies even go as far as to breed animals specifically for testing so they can sell them for a high price.

Therefore, if no testing will be done on animals, the overall cost will be saved and used for something else. It can fund other types of organizations that will help improve the world or resolve certain economic or social issues.

List of Cons of Animal Rights

1. Prevents safety testing
Is it enough to save animal lives when the cost is a human life placed in danger or lost? New products and medications that could save people but are considered harmful until tested on certain subjects will never be used if animal testing is no longer allowed. It would be even more immoral if test subjects used are humans themselves. This may have been going on with clinical trials, but the only difference is that medications used in these trials have already been tested on animals and are considered safe.

2. Stunt research development
Animal testing opens doors in research of new products and medication that will significantly speed up the development in the medicine field. Drugs used to prevent and treat cancer, HIV, diabetes, and other serious conditions have all been tested on animals first. Animal rights put a stop on such research, risking the lives of humans in the process.

3. Reduce risk on human lives
Because products and medications are first tested on animals, no human lives will be put in danger or lost. Exposure of humans to risky substances or possibly hazardous materials will also be cut down, preventing diseases and other side effects. Therefore, animal testing ultimately saves humans, even if this is at the expense of non-human animals.

4. Pose problems with food consumption
Animal meat provides a different source of protein, vitamins and minerals, something that opponents of animal rights claim that will not be found on any vegetable or fruit. Moreover, not everyone can be a vegetarian, and those who are not vegan don't see anything wrong with eating meat or wearing fur, but they do take exception with their rights being imposed on. Simply put, animal rights take away some human rights.

5. Blur the lines between human and animal rights
If animals are viewed as humans, distinction between the two species will be blurred. Most opponents believe that animals do not have the same rights as humans, which means they will never be equal. Proponents, however, would say that animals should be free from human exploitation and cruelty, even if they are below humans in the natural world chain.

But here is a problem: if animal suffering is minimized, what will become of product research and development? Human health would not be improved without animals as test subjects. Animals play a role in the supply of food, is it acceptable for humans to starve and be malnourished because animals are off the menu? Then again, if animals are hurt or killed because of human activities, our planet's ecosystem will be damaged and will lead to destruction of all humans and non-human animals.

According to poet and philosopher, Sri Aurobindo, "Life is life-whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage..." Do you agree or disagree?

Author Bio
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.

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List of 8 Key Pros and Cons of Animal Rights

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The concept of animal rights is based on the idea that some or all non-human animals have a right to live their own lives and to be viewed as persons rather than property. This effectively makes the use of animals as research subjects, for entertainment, clothing, food, and as beasts of burden prohibited.

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It's a sunny afternoon at the Bronx Zoo, in New York City. A monorail train approaches the elephant exhibit. A child screeches in delight as a female Asian elephant named Happy comes into view. Happy flaps her ears and wraps her trunk around the fence of her enclosure.

The Bronx Zoo is one of about 60 zoos in the United States where you can see an elephant. With the number of Asian elephants dwindling every year-about 50,000 are left in the wild-a zoo might be the only chance any of us will ever get to see one.

GIGI GLENDINNING

But the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), an animal-rights group, says Happy is lonely. A fence separates her from Patty, another elephant. Contact through a fence isn't enough, the NhRP says. Steven Wise is the group's president. "We understand what [Happy's] life means to her," he says, "which is almost nothing at all."

So the NhRP is taking the Bronx Zoo to court. The group says Happy should be moved to a sanctuary × sanctuary UK NATURAL HISTORY/GETTY IMAGES a safe place (noun) Deer hunting is illegal inside the wildlife sanctuary. where she can have space to roam and interact with other elephants.

LUKAS MAVERICK GREYSON

On the Case

The NhRP's case against the Bronx Zoo is the first of its kind in the U.S. The group is relying on a legal order meant for humans. It says a person who has been unlawfully imprisoned must be released. Next year, the NhRP will argue in court that Happy should have that same right.

There's research to support that argument. In 2005, Happy became the first Asian elephant to pass a mirror test. This test is given to see if an animal can recognize itself, the way a person does.

Experts say elephants are intelligent and thrive when they form social bonds. Joyce Poole studies them in Africa. Keeping one in a city is "a recipe for disaster," she says. "As you can imagine, if you were locked behind bars, there's not much to do."

JOE RAEDLE-NEWSMAKERS/GETTY IMAGES

The Zoo's View

The Bronx Zoo says Happy is well cared-for, and was separated from Patty because the two didn't get along. Some people claim removing animals like Happy from zoos would be a mistake. Many kids would never grow up with a connection to these animals.

Jodi Gibson is president of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. She first saw elephants at a zoo when she was 6. "For me, as a child, it opened a door," she says. "Our greatest hope is for people to want to protect and preserve these beautiful animals."

PAKKAWIT ANANTAYA-EYEEM/ GETTY IMAGES

According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), some 55 million schoolchildren visited zoos each year before the coronavirus pandemic.

Even so, attitudes about zoos are changing. In 2015, SeaWorld considered ending its killer-whale shows. The park had been criticized for keeping the creatures in captivity.

HILARY WHITROCK-500PX/ GETTY IMAGES

But zoos reach more people than any other group involved with conservation × conservation SCHON-GETTY IMAGES the preservation and protection of something (noun) Michael is interested in forest conservation. . They're more important than ever, AZA president Dan Ashe says. He feels that if there's a time when children can no longer visit zoos and learn to care about elephants, "It'll come at a great cost."

Other Court Cases

In 2014, the Supreme Court of India made waves when it said animal rights are protected under the nation's constitution. As it banned a bullfighting festival, the court wrote that animals have the right to "live in a healthy and clean atmosphere." That same year, a court in Argentina ruled that an orangutan named Sandra (pictured) could be freed from a zoo. The ruling was later reversed. But Sandra was still moved to a sanctuary in Florida.

JUAN MABROMATA-AFP/ GETTY IMAGES

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It's a sunny afternoon at the Bronx Zoo, in New York City. A monorail train approaches the elephant exhibit. A child screeches in delight as a female Asian elephant named Happy comes into view. Happy flaps her ears and wraps...

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Most people agree that everyone should treat animals well and look after their needs. However, there is often disagreement about what this means. The term animal rights is...

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Gaming is a common source of entertainment and a hobby for people of all ages from all around the world. However, there have been some negative connotation attached to the idea of gaming and significant research has been carried out to better understand the impact of gaming on both children and adults. Luckily for gamers, results have been divisive. There are many upsides to gaming, but an addiction to the habit could negatively impact your health. We take a look at the common effects of gaming:

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Gaming is a common source of entertainment and a hobby for people of all ages from all around the world. However, there have been some negative connotation attached to the idea of gaming and significant research has been carried out to better understand the impact of gaming on both children and adults.

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Updated January 8, 2023
by Ronaldo Tumbokon

Contents:

Are video games good or bad for you? It can be both

Video games are frowned upon by parents as time-wasters, and worse, some education experts think that these games corrupt the brain. Playing violent video games are easily blamed by the media and some experts as the reason why some young people become violent or commit extreme anti-social behavior. But many scientists and psychologists find that video games can actually have many benefits - the main one is making kids smart. Video games may actually teach kids high-level thinking skills that they will need in the future.

"Video games change your brain," according to University of Wisconsin psychologist C. Shawn Green. Playing video games change the brain's physical structure the same way as do learning to read, playing the piano, or navigating using a map. Much like exercise can build muscle, the powerful combination of concentration and rewarding surges of neurotransmitters like dopamine strengthen neural circuits that can build the brain.

According to Marc Palaus, author of the study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, there is a broad consensus in the scientific community that playing video games not only changes how the brain performs, but also its structure.

Below are the good and bad effects of video games - their benefits and disadvantages, according to researchers and child experts:

Are Video Games Good for You? The Positive Effects of Video Games

When your child plays video games, it gives his brain a real workout. In many video games, the skills required to win involve abstract and high level thinking. These skills are not even taught at school.

The main benefits of playing video games involve enhancing mental skills that include:

1. Problem solving and logic - When a child plays a game such as The Incredible Machine, Angry Birds or Cut The Rope, he trains his brain to come up with creative ways to solve puzzles and other problems in short bursts

2. Hand-eye coordination, fine motor and spatial skills. In shooting games, the character may be running and shooting at the same time. This requires the real-world player to keep track of the position of the character, where he/she is heading, his speed, where the gun is aiming, if the gunfire is hitting the enemy, and so on. All these factors need to be taken into account, and then the player must then coordinate the brain's interpretation and reaction with the movement in his hands and fingertips. This process requires a great deal of eye-hand coordination and visual-spatial ability to be successful. Research also suggests that people can learn iconic, spatial, and visual attention skills from video games. There have been even studies with adults showing that experience with video games is related to better surgical skills. Also, a reason given by experts as to why fighter pilots of today are more skillful is that this generation's pilots are being weaned on video games.

3. Planning, resource management and logistics. The player learns to manage resources that are limited, and decide the best use of resources, the same way as in real life. This skill is honed in strategy games such as SimCity, Age of Empires, and Railroad Tycoon. Notably, The American Planning Association, the trade association of urban planners and Maxis, the game creator, have claimed that SimCity has inspired a lot of its players to take a career in urban planning and architecture.

4. Multitasking, simultaneous tracking of many shifting variables and managing multiple objectives. In strategy games, for instance, while developing a city, an unexpected surprise like an enemy might emerge. This forces the player to be flexible and quickly change tactics.

Cognitive researcher Daphne Bavalier talks about how video games can help us learn, focus and, fascinatingly, multitask.

5. Quick thinking, making fast analysis and decisions. Sometimes the player does this almost every second of the game giving the brain a real workout. According to researchers at the University of Rochester, led by Daphne Bavelier, a cognitive scientist, games simulating stressful events such as those found in battle or action games could be a training tool for real-world situations. The study suggests that playing action video games primes the brain to make quick decisions. Video games can be used to train soldiers and surgeons, according to the study. Importantly, decisions made by action-packed video game players are no less accurate. According to Bavelier, "Action game players make more correct decisions per unit time. If you are a surgeon or you are in the middle of a battlefield, that can make all the difference."

6. Accuracy - Action games, according to a study by the University of Rochester, train the player's brain to make faster decisions without losing accuracy. In today's world, it is important to move quickly without sacrificing accuracy.

7. Strategy and anticipation - Steven Johnson, author of Everything Bad is Good For You: How Today's Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter, calls this "telescoping." The gamer must deal with immediate problems while keeping his long-term goals on his horizon.

8. Situational awareness - - Defense News reported that the Army include video games to train soldiers to improve their situational awareness in combat. Many strategy games also require the player to become mindful of sudden situational changes in the game and adapt accordingly.

9. Developing reading and math skills - The young gamer reads to get instructions, follow storylines of games, and get information from the game texts. Also, using math skills is important to win in many games that involves quantitative analysis like managing resources.

10. Perseverance - In higher levels of a game, the player usually fails the first time around, but he keeps on trying until he succeeds and move on to the next level.

11. Pattern recognition - Games have internal logic in them, and the player figures it out by recognizing patterns.

12. Estimating skills

13. Inductive reasoning and hypothesis testing - James Paul Gee, professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says that playing a video game is similar to working through a science problem. Like a student in a laboratory, the gamer must come up with a hypothesis. For example, the gamer must constantly try out combinations of weapons and powers to use to defeat an enemy. If one does not work, he changes hypothesis and try the next one. Video games are goal-driven experiences, says Gee, which are fundamental to learning.

14. Mapping - The gamer use in-game maps or build maps on his head to navigate around virtual worlds.

15. Memory - Playing first person shooter games such as Call of Duty and Battlefield series enables the player to effectively judge what information should be stored in his working memory and what can be discarded considering the task at hand, according to a study published in the Psychological Research.

16. Concentration - A study conducted by the Appalachia Educational Laboratory reveal that children with attention-deficit disorder who played Dance Dance Revolution improve their reading scores by helping them concentrate.

17. Improved ability to rapidly and accurately recognize visual information - A study from Beth Israel Medical Center NY, found a direct link between skill at video gaming and skill at keyhole, or laparoscopic, surgery. Doctors who spent at least three hours a week playing video games made about 37 % fewer mistakes in surgery and performed the task 27% faster than non-gaming surgeons. Another study found that people who play video games on a regular basis are better at registering visual data and are therefore quicker visual learners. They are also more resistant to perceptual interference, and are therefore able to learn for a longer period of time in distracting environments.

18. Reasoned judgments

19. Taking risks - Winning in any game involves a player's courage to take risks. Most games do not reward players who play safely.

20. How to respond to challenges

21. How to respond to frustrations

22. How to explore and rethink goals

23. Teamwork and cooperation when played with others - Many multiplayer games such as Team Fortress 2 involve cooperation with other online players in order to win. These games encourage players to make the most of their individual skills to contribute to the team. According to a survey by Joan Ganz Cooney Center, teachers report that their students become better collaborators after using digital games in the classroom.

24. Management - Management simulation games such as Rollercoaster Tycoon and Zoo tycoon teach the player to make management decisions and manage the effective use of finite resources. Other games such as Age of Empires and Civilization even simulate managing the course of a civilization.

25. Simulation, real world skills. The most well known simulations are flight simulators, which attempt to mimic the reality of flying a plane. All of the controls, including airspeed, wing angles, altimeter, and so on, are displayed for the player, as well as a visual representation of the world, and are updated in real time.

26. Non-English speaking players report learning English by playing games.

See also List of Video Games That May Be Good for the Brain

More Benefits of Video Games:

Video games introduce your child to computer technology and the online world. You should recognize that we are now living in a high-tech, sophisticated world. Video games make your child adapt and be comfortable with the concepts of computing. This is particularly important for girls who typically are not as interested in high technology as much as boys.

Video games allow you and your child to play together and can be a good bonding activity. Some games are attractive to kids as well as adults, and they could be something that they share in common. When your child knows more than you, he can teach you how to play and this allows you to understand your child's skills and talents.

Video games make learning fun. Your kid likes games because of the colors, the animation, the eye candy, as well as the interactivity and the challenge and the rewards of winning. The best way to learn is when the learner is having fun at the same time. That's why video games are natural teachers. Having fun gives your kid motivation to keep on practicing, which is the only way to learn skills. Video games is also capable of making difficult subjects such as math fun.

Video games can make your child creative. A study by the Michigan State University's Children and Technology Project found a relation between video game playing and greater creativity, regardless of gender, race or type of video game played. (In contrast, use of cell phones, the Internet and computers other than video games was unrelated to creativity, the study found).

A long-term study by the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, published in Scientific Reports found that there is a beneficial causal effect of video games on cognition. American kids, both boys and girls, between 9 and 10 who spent an above-average time playing video games increased their intelligence scores by 2.5 I.Q. points above the average after two years. Other forms of screen time like watching videos or social video has neither positive nor negative effect on a child's intelligence.

Playing video games is shown to provide young people with a route into reading and improve their confidence in reading skills, encourages their creativity through writing, support positive communication between family and friends, increases empathy, and supports mental wellbeing, according to a study by the UK's National Literacy Trust.

University of Geneva scientists who tested an action video game for children found out from their study that playing the action video game enhances reading skills - even though the game did not require reading activity. The skills that players improved on included "vision, the deployment of attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility", according to Angela Pasqualotto, the first author of the study. These are the same functions essential to the mastery of reading. In fact, the scientists found a 7-fold improvement in attentional control in children who played the game vs. those who didn't, and this was maintained at a follow-up test 6 months later.

Video games can improve your child's decision making speed. People who played action-based video and computer games made decisions 25% faster than others without sacrificing accuracy, according to a study from the University of Rochester. Other studies suggests that most expert gamers can make choices and act on them up to six times a second-four times faster than most people, and can pay attention to more than six things at once without getting confused, compared to only four by the average person. Surprisingly, the violent action games that often worry parents most had the strongest beneficial effect on the brain, according to cognitive neuroscientist Daphne Bavelier, who studies the effect of action games at Switzerland's University of Geneva and the University of Rochester in New York.

Another study from 2022 by Georgia State University researchers that combined brain imaging with a decision-making task also suggests that regular video game players made faster and more accurate decisions than those who rarely play. Video game players show enhanced activity in the brain regions for visuomotor processing.

Action video game players have an increased ability to be mentally flexible, that is, being able to switch from one task to another, compared to non-gamers according to a study. This skill is important in a world that's highly dependent on technology which allows distinct task to be available on a single device such as a smartphone or computer.

Video games increase your child's self-confidence and self-esteem as he masters games. In many games, the levels of difficulty are adjustable. As a beginner, your kid begins at the easy level and by constant practicing and slowly building skills, he becomes confident in handling more difficult challenges. Since the cost of failure is lower, he does not fear making mistakes. He takes more risks and explores more. Your kid can transfer this attitude to real life.

Video games give your child a feeling of happiness or well-being, which is a human psychological need, according to Berni Good, a cyberpsychologist. In addition to giving your child a sense of competence or mastery when he progresses through game levels, video gaming also helps him relate to others in a meaningful way when he shares his gaming experiences with others in multiplayer gaming or in social media. It also gives him a feeling of being a master of his own destiny.

Also, a study published by the University of Oxford, suggests that school-age adolescents who are spending considerable time gaming do not experience negative well-being impact, although this is not the case for everybody. A few heavy gamers (1 in 12 adolescents), especially those with traumatic experiences and mental health issues who used gaming as a coping mechanism, reported well-being issues.

Games that involve multiple players encourage your child to work cooperatively to achieve his goals. Your kid learns to listen to the ideas of others, formulate plans with other kids, and distribute tasks based on skills. Some online games are even played internationally, and this can introduce your kid to players of different nationalities and cultures. This fosters friendships among different people.

Games from new consoles, specifically those from Meta Quest and other Virtual Reality platforms, involves moving the body, sometimes as intensely as an aerobic workout. Known as "exergaming", active video gaming may be the perfect introduction to helping people be more active.

Video games make players' visions become more sensitive to slightly different shades of color, according to a University of Rochester study. This is called contrast sensitivity, and observed particularly in first person shooter games players. "When people play action games, they're changing the brain's pathway responsible for visual processing," according to lead researcher Daphne Bavelier. The training might be helping the visual system to make better use of the information it receives.

Video games may improve eyesight. Studies have shown that video gaming have better than average eyesight. A study performed by researchers from McMaster University has also found that playing video games could help improve eyesight by teaching the brain to spot small details, follow movements and spot subtle light changes, at least for people with visual difficulties. Another study by vision scientists at the University of Rochester and Vanderbilt University found that children with poor vision see vast improvement in their peripheral vision after only eight hours of training via kid-friendly video games.

In addition, one neuroscience research suggests that expert players of action real-time strategy games like League of Legends become better at allocating brain resources between visual stimuli that compete for attention. The study shows that these players have faster information processing, allocate more cognitive power to individual visual stimuli and allocate limited resources between successive stimuli more effective through time. Moreover, the effect seems to have a long-term effect on the brain, and the study's author concludes that these games can be a powerful tool for cognitive training.

Video games help children with dyslexia read faster and with better accuracy, according to a study by the journal Current Biology. In addition, spatial and temporal attention also improved during action video game training. Attentional improvement can directly translate into better reading abilities. Another study suggests that just one hour of gaming can improve visual selective attention, which is how scientists refer to the brain's ability to focus while simultaneously disregarding less relevant information.

Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a neuroscientist at the University of California states that playing first person shooter games such as Call of Duty have shown to have a "benefit on high congnitive abilities" including focusing for long periods and multi-tasking. He even suggests that these games can be prescribed to children who are struggling to focus in class.

Kids are not necessarily drawn to video games because of their violence. The attraction lies in their being rewarded by awesome displays of explosions, fireworks, and yes, blood splattering. Also, violent games have the most emotional appeal for kids. But these factors are only secondary to what kids actually enjoy in these games - the opportunity to develop and master skills and have the freedom to make choices in the game universe.

Violent video games may act as a release of pent-up aggression and frustration of your kid. When your kid vents his frustration and anger in his game, this diffuses his stress. Games can provide a positive aggression outlet the same way as football and other violent sports. A research suggests that the outlet provided by violent games may make gamers with violent tendencies less likely to commit real world crimes

Playing video games is safer than having your teens do drugs, alcohol and street racing in the real world.

Experts believe that parents playing video games with their kids can boost better communication between them.

A study done by researchers at North Carolina State University, York University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology concluded that playing online games do not replace offline social lives, but is expanding it. Loners are the outliers in gaming, not the norm.

Research from the University of Vermont involving more than 2000 children between 9 and 10 years old, published in 2022, suggests that video gamers perform better on tests of memory and impulse control vs. non-gamers. Frequent gamers exhibit significant improvements in terms of faster reaction time, impulse control, and working memory, which are caused by changes in brain function. Video gamers are also better at implicit temporal processing, which is an automatic and unconscious process of processing time and preparing to timely react based on expectations of how a person's situation will unfold.

A 2013 study by the Berlin's Max Planck Institute for Human Development and St. Hedwig-Hospital found a significant gray matter increase in the right hippocampus, the right prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum of those who played Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over two months. These regions of the brain are crucial for spatial navigation, strategic planning, working memory and motor performance. Indeed, the increased gray matter in these parts of the brain is positively correlated with better memory. Decreased gray matter is correlated with bipolar disorder and dementia. What's also striking is that those who enjoyed playing the game has a more pronounced gain in gray matter volume. The study suggests that video game training could be used to counteract known risk factors for smaller hippocampus and prefrontal cortex volume in, for example, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and neurodegenerative disease.

Another group of researchers from the Chinese University of Electronic Science and Technology and the Australian Macquarie University in Sydney found a correlation between playing action video games and increased gray matter volume in the brain.

The benefits of improving memory in video gamers extend for years, even after players don't play anymore. According to Marc Palaus, one of the study's authors, "People who were avid gamers before adolescence, despite no longer playing, performed better with the working memory tasks, which require mentally holding and manipulating information to get a result." Although different genres of video games affect cognitive functions differently, all games involve elements that make people want to continue playing, and that they gradually get harder and present a constant challenge. "These two things are enough to make it an attractive and motivating activity, which, in turn, requires constant and intense use of our brain's resources."

Other studies found that playing video games change the structure of the brain. Brain regions involved in attention were more efficient in gamers, and regions related to visuospatial skills that were both bigger and more efficient.

Another study published in Scientific Reports have found that Action Video Gamers have more gray matter and better integration of brain networks associated with attention and sensorimotor function.

A Bristol University research shows that the "gamification" of learning can reduce the activity of a particular brain network which is responsible for mind wandering. When designed and developed properly, computer-based games can have a beneficial effect on learning.

A number of research, including the one done in Ruhr-University Bochum show that video gamers have an advantage at learning compared to non-gamers. In their test, video gamers performed significantly better than non-gamers in a learning competition, and gamers showed an increased activity in the brain areas relevant for learning. According to the lead author Sabrina Schenk, "Our study shows that gamers are better in analyzing a situation quickly, to generate new knowledge and to categorize facts - especially in situations with high uncertainties."

A study published in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology in 2016 suggests that "video game use is not associated with an increased risk of mental health problems. On the contrary, the data presented here suggest that video games are a protective factor, especially regarding peer relationship problems for the children who are the most involved in video games. Finally, video games seem to be linked to better intellectual functioning and academic achievement."

Another study suggests that playing some video games may even overcome the cognitive skills affected by poverty like focus, self-control, and memory, and may help reduce the achievement gaps related to poverty that are seen in school.

In 2020, after reviewing data from multiple studies in more than 600 children, the US Food and Drugs Administration approved a video game for the first time as a treatment. The game, called EndeavorRx, can be prescribed for kids with combined-type ADHD, or who have difficulty staying focused or paying attention, and the prescription can be covered with insurance. The game is meant to act as delivery system for algorithms that can strengthen neural networks in the brain connected to ADHD. In 2021, a University of Utah study found that games reduced isolation and depression in depressed patients aged 60-85. This could be a start for other games to be developed and considered as a therapeutic for other mental conditions which may include anxiety or depression, as well as many types of mental illnesses.

A study that compares media use with video gaming suggests that media multitasking specifically, that is, consuming media like movies or music while doing another activity, was mostly correlated with negative mental health, while playing video games was associated with faster responding and better mental health.

A study by the Oxford University using industry data on actual play time for Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville and Animal Crossing: New Horizons suggests that time spent playing games with social features, where players interacted with game characters controlled by other humans, is positively associated with well-being. Experiences of competence and social connection with others through play may contribute to this. Professor Andrew Przbylski further states that "Our findings show video games aren't necessarily bad for your health; there are other psychological factors which have a significant effect on a persons' well-being. In fact, play can be an activity that relates positively to people's mental health - and regulating video games could withhold those benefits from players."

Games like Fortnight, although having violent aspects, actually promotes pro-social behavior, according to a study. The researchers hypothesized that this is probably caused by the violent game yielding positive emotions or overall satisfaction of psychological needs, which is an outcome of enjoying the game.

A study involving college students has found that games with "pro-social" content, where playing requires non-violent cooperation and coordination with others in order to win, influence students to exhibit helpful behavior in real life (while those playing "violent" games exhibit hurtful behavior).

Video games can stimulate your child's interest in technology, and can be gateway to learn technological skills such as coding or programming.

Also, video games may actually help your child find a job in the future. Employers from various industries are actually find résumés that include backgrounds in making or playing videogames a positive because they think video gamers have online collaboration, problem solving and other critical workplace skills.

Finally, according to a study, gamers actually tend to be more social, more successful and more educated than people who make fun of them.

Considering all these, be reminded again that the type of genre affects the brain differently, and one should not generalize that all video games have the same effect or benefit. For example, the researchers of a study hypothesize that playing strategy games result in improving memory tasks, while playing action games that stimulate the limbic area and elicit emotional arousal might be beneficial to those with mood disorders.

Are Video Games Bad for You? The Negative Effects of Video Games

Most of the bad effects of video games are blamed on the violence they contain. Children who play more violent video games are more likely to have increased aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and decreased prosocial helping, according to a scientific study (Anderson & Bushman, 2001). A number of studies across different cultures suggest that children who play violent video games become physically aggressive in their daily lives. Also according to Dmitri A. Christakis of the Seattle Children's Research Institute, those who watch a lot of simulated violence, such as those in video games, can become immune to it, more inclined to act violently themselves, and are less likely to behave emphatically. Another study suggests that chronic exposure to violent video games is not only associated with lower empathy, but emotional callousness as well.
This, however, is still hotly debated because there is also evidence that shows that excessive use of video games does not lead to long-term desensitization and lack of empathy. A 2017 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, for example, didn't find any long-term effects of playing violent video games and empathy. Another study from University of York and another by the Royal Society found no evidence to support the theory that video games make players more violent, and another study suggests that there is no increase in the level of aggression of players who had long-term exposure to violent video games. A 2020 reanalysis of a number of independent studies did not find a clear link between video game and both violence and agression in children. This finding was again confirmed when no evidence was found that violence against other people increases after a new violent video game is released, although some children do display aggression by destroying objects, not attacking people.

Although politicians oftentimes declare video games as a cause of gun violence, there is currently little scientific evidence that links playing video games, even the "gruesome and grisly" ones, to violence.

On the other hand, The American Psychological Association (APA) concluded that there is a "consistent correlation" between violent game use and aggression, but finds insufficient evidence to link violent video play to criminal violence. An open letter by a number of media scholars, psychologists and criminologists, however, find APA's study and conclusion to be misleading and alarmist. Many experts including Henry Jenkins of Massachusetts Institute of Technology have noted that there is a decreased rate of juvenile crime which coincides with the popularity of games such as Death Race, Mortal Kombat, Doom and Grand Theft auto. He concludes that teenage players are able to leave the emotional effects of the game behind when the game is over. Indeed there are cases of teenagers who commit violent crimes who also spend great amount of time playing video games such as those involved in the Columbine and Newport cases. It appears that there will always be violent people, and it just so happen that many of them also enjoy playing violent video games.
Also, a meta analysis conducted by the Stentson University psychologist Christopher Ferguson, that examines 101 studies found that "violent video games had little impact on kids' aggression, mood, helping behavior or grades." According to Ferguson, "Any claims that there is consistent evidence that violent video games encourage aggression are simply false." Others like Benjamin Burroughs, a professor of emerging media at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas found that there are no longitudinal studies that show a link between violence and video games, and although players experience short-term increase in aggressive thoughts and feelings after playing video games, it doesn't rise to the level of violence. Also, men who commit severe acts of violence actually play video games less than the average male, according to Patrick Markey, a psychology professor at Villanova University.

Also, in 2018, an analysis of 24 studies involving 17000 youngsters from countries including the U.S., Canada, Germany and Japan and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found those who played violent games such as "Grand Theft Auto," "Call of Duty" and "Manhunt" were more likely to exhibit behavior such as being sent to the principal's office for fighting or hitting a non-family member. According to Jay Hull, the study's lead author "If your kids are playing these games, either these games are having a warping effect on right and wrong or they have a warped sense of right or wrong and that's why they are attracted to these games. Either way you should be concerned about it." Hull's previous research suggests players may also practice riskier behaviors such as reckless driving, binge drinking, smoking and unsafe sex.

Other studies that seem to indicate that playing video games have a connection to aggressive thoughts and behavior are those done by Anderson & Dill, 2000 and Gentile, Lynch & Walsh, 2004.

Some experts who believe that there is a connection between video games and violence blame the games' interactive nature. In many games, kids are rewarded for being more violent. The act of violence is done repeatedly. The child is in control of the violence and experiences the violence in his own eyes (killings, kicking, stabbing and shooting). This active participation, repetition and reward are effective tools for learning behavior.

Another study saw that participants who spent an average of 6.38 hours per week playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, classified as a violent video game, experienced habitual desensitization to painful images. The researchers suggest that this happens because players of violent video games has to suppress their empathy to improve their game performance.

Kids can be addicted to video gaming. The World Health Organization in June 2018 declared gaming addiction as a mental health disorder. A study by the Minneapolis-based National Institute for Media and the Family suggests that video games can be addictive for kids, and that the kids' addiction to video games increases their depression and anxiety levels. Addicted kids also exhibit social phobias. Not surprisingly, kids addicted to video games see their school performance suffer. Neuroimaging research suggests heavy use of certain video games may cause brain changes linked to addictive behaviors. Also, MRI scans reveal that addictive video games can have a similar effect on kids' brains as drugs and alcohol. A series of studies by California State University found that the impulsive part of the brain, known as the amygdala-striatal system was more sensitive and smaller in excessive game players. According to Professor Ofir Turel, heavy game players between 13 and 15 whose self-control system is not yet well-developed can have increased susceptibility to other forms of addiction and can be more predisposed to impulsive and risky behaviors later in life.
Frequent binge gaming or playing video games for more than 5 hours consecutively, was found to be associated with lower life satisfaction and sleep quality, and with more major depression and social anxiety disorder symptoms.
Click here for more info on video game addiction, how to treat it, and tips on how to avoid getting your kids addicted to video games.

A study from the Université de Montréal suggests that playing action video games like Call of Duty may actually harm the brain. Most study participants mainly use an area of the brain called the caudate nucleus. These players navigate through the game terrain using in-system navigation tools or on-screen GPS, relying on navigational "habit" instead of active learning. It appears that this causes an increase in the amount of gray matter in their caudate nucleus, while it decreases in the hippocampus. Reduced gray matter in the hippocampus has previously been linked to higher risks of brain illnesses, including depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, and Alzheimer's disease. However players who play games that requires players to navigate using spatial strategies like the 3D Super Mario games have increased grey matter in the hippocampus.

Too much video game playing makes your kid socially isolated. Also, he may spend less time in other activities such as doing homework, reading, sports, and interacting with the family and friends. On the other hand, a study by researchers at the North Carolina State University, New York and the University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology points out that gamers usually do not replace their offline social lives with online game playing, but rather it expands them. In fact, among gamers, being a loner is not the norm.

Some video games teach kids the wrong values. Violent behavior, vengeance and aggression are rewarded. Negotiating and other nonviolent solutions are often not options. Women are often portrayed as weaker characters that are helpless or sexually provocative. On the other hand, a University of Buffalo study suggests that violence and bad behavior played in the virtual world may be contributing to better behavior in the real world. Gamers who play violent games may feel guilty about their behavior in the virtual world and this may make them be more sensitive to the moral issues they violated during game play.

Games can confuse reality and fantasy.

Academic achievement may be negatively related to over-all time spent playing video games. Studies have shown that the more time a kid spends playing video games, the poorer is his performance in school. (Anderson & Dill, 2000; Gentile, Lynch & Walsh, 2004). A study by Argosy University's Minnesota School on Professional Psychology found that video game addicts argue a lot with their teachers, fight a lot with their friends, and score lower grades than others who play video games less often. Other studies show that many game players routinely skip their homework to play games, and many students admitted that their video game habits are often responsible for poor school grades.

A 2019 study found that among screen-based activities, playing video games and television viewing are the ones most negatively associated with academic outcomes.

Although some studies suggest that playing video games enhances a child's concentration, other studies, such as a 2012 paper published in Psychology of Popular Media Culture, have found that games can hurt and help children's attention issues - improving the ability to concentrate in short bursts but damaging long-term concentration.

Dr Philip A Chan and Professor Terry Rabinowitz, writing in the Annals of General Psychiatry, concluded that: "Adolescents who play more than one hour of console or Internet video games may have more or more intense symptoms of ADHD or inattention than those who do not." This negative effect may lead to problems in school. Another study from the Journal of Attention Disorders show that playing video games may increase the risk of developing ADHD symptoms in early adolescents

Video gaming may also have bad effects on some children's health, including eye strain, headaches, and video-induced seizures. It is also found to cause obesity in teens. Sitting in front of the screen for hours on end prevents the player from getting exercise. Some gamers are found to consume more food while playing video games.

Excessive gaming may also cause postural, muscular and skeletal disorders, such as tendonitis or "gamer's thumb", nerve compression, carpal tunnel syndrome. Excessive gaming may lead to repetitive stress injuries of hands and arms. Overly-repeated use of muscles and tendons cause pain and inflammation, which may progress to numbness, weakness and permanent injury.

When playing online, your kid can pick up bad language and behavior from other people, and may make your kid vulnerable to online dangers. Often posing as children, sexual predators and other bad actors are meeting kids online through multiplayer video games and chat apps

Kids spending too much time playing video games may exhibit impulsive behavior and have attention problems. This is according to a new study published in the February 2012 issue of the Journal of Psychology and Popular Media Culture. For the study, attention problems were defined as difficulty engaging in or sustaining behavior to reach a goal.

According to Catherine Steiner-Adair, a Harvard-affiliated psychologist and author of the best-selling book "The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationship in the Digital Age", if kids are allowed to play "Candy Crush" on the way to school, the trip will be quiet, but it's not what kids need. "They need time to daydream, deal with anxieties, process their thoughts and share them with parents, who can provide reassurance."

In some susceptible children, playing video games can potentially produce fatal arrythmias, similar to those that happen when playing competitive sports like football and rugby, and war games are potent triggers.

About the author:
Ronaldo Tumbokon is a researcher/writer who works in media, and writes about the effects of technology, toys, books and others on children's minds.

See also:
Educational Toys and Gift Ideas to Help Make Your Kids Smart
The Best Educational Apps for Toddler and Babies

Related: Positive and negative effects of social media on children.

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25+ Positive & Negative Effects of Video Games, According to Studies - Raise Smart Kid

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Learn about the good and bad effects of video games to kids from preschoolers to teenagers according to researchers, child psychologists and neuroscientists.

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Lots of kids love video games. In fact, they like them so much that they might hear something like this from mom or dad: "Enough! Find something else to do!"

It can be good advice, even if you were about to get to the next level. Why? Too much of anything is just too much. It's true that some studies have shown certain video games can improve hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and the mind's ability to process information. But too much video game playing may cause problems.

It's hard to get enough active play and exercise if you're always inside playing video games. And without enough exercise, kids can become overweight.

Overdoing video games also could affect other important stuff, like friendships and how well a kid does in school. And kids who play violent video games might act more aggressively.

But here's the good news: Playing video games some of the time can be OK. Choose quality games, and limit screen time - which includes TV, computer, smartphone, tablet, and video game time combined - to a reasonable amount.

A good game will be the right one for how old you are. Games are rated like movies and your mom or dad can help figure out which ones you should use. If you can choose one that gets you up and moving, that's even better.

You might challenge your mom, dad - or even your grandma - to swing the bat in a game of baseball or try out some fancy moves in one of the dancing games. Could your grandma be a dancing queen? Time to find out!

Date reviewed: August 2019

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Lots of kids love video games. In fact, they like them so much that they might hear something like this from mom or dad: "Enough! Find something else to do!" It can be good advice, even if you were about to get to the next level. Why?

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Selective breeding techniques have been used to alter the genetic makeup of plants for thousands of years. The earliest form of selective breeding were simple and have persisted: farmers save and plant only the seeds of plants that produced the most tasty or largest (or otherwise preferable) results. In 1866, Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, discovered and developed the basics of DNA by crossbreeding peas. More recently, genetic engineering has allowed DNA from one species to be inserted into a different species to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

To create a GMO plant, scientists follow these basic steps over several years:

1. Identify the desired trait and find an animal or plant with that trait. For example, scientists were looking to make corn more insect-resistant. They identified a gene in a soil bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt), that naturally produces an insecticide commonly used in organic agriculture.

2. Copy the specific gene for the desired trait.

3. Insert the specific gene into the DNA of the plant scientists want to change. In the above example, the insecticide gene from Bacillus thuringiensis was inserted into corn.

4. Grow the new plant and perform tests for safety and the desired trait.

According to the Genetic Literacy Project, "The most recent data from the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) shows that more than 18 million farmers in 29 countries, including 19 developing nations, planted over 190 million hectares (469.5 million acres) of GMO crops in 2019." The organization stated that a "majority" of European countries and Russia, among other countries, ban the crops. However, most countries that ban the growth of GMO crops, allow their import. Europe, for example, imports 30 million tons of corn and soy animal feeds every year, much of which is GMO.

In the United States, the health and environmental safety standards for GM crops are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Between 1985 and Sep. 2013, the USDA approved over 17,000 different GM crops for field trials, including varieties of corn, soybean, potato, tomato, wheat, canola, and rice, with various genetic modifications such as herbicide tolerance; insect, fungal, and drought resistance; and flavor or nutrition enhancement.

In 1994, the "FLAVR SAVR" tomato became the first genetically modified food to be approved for public consumption by the FDA. The tomato was genetically modified to increase its firmness and extend its shelf life.

Recently, the term "bioengineered" food has come into popularity, under the argument that almost all food has been "genetically modified" via selective breeding or other basic growing methods. Bioengineered food refers specifically to food that has undergone modification using rDNA technology, but does not include food genetically modified by basic cross-breeding or selective breeding. As of Jan. 10, 2022, the USDA listed 12 bioengineered products available in the US: alfalfa, Arctic apples, canola, corn, cotton, BARI Bt Begun varieties of eggplant, ringspot virus-resistant varieties of papaya, pink flesh varieties of pineapple, potato, AquAdvantage salmon, soybean, summer squash, and sugarbeet.

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard established mandatory national standards for labeling foods with genetically engineered ingredients in the United States. The Standard was implemented on Jan. 1, 2020 and compliance became mandatory on Jan. 1, 2022.

49% of US adults believe that eating GMO foods are "worse" for one's health, 44% say they are "neither better nor worse," and 5% believe they are "better," according to a 2018 Pew Research Center report.

Should Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Be Grown?

Pro 1

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been proven safe through testing and use, and can even increase the safety of common foods.

As astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explained, "Practically every food you buy in a store for consumption by humans is genetically modified food. There are no wild, seedless watermelons. There's no wild cows... We have systematically genetically modified all the foods, the vegetables and animals that we have eaten ever since we cultivated them. It's called artificial selection."

A single health risk associated with GMO consumption has not been discovered in over 30 years of lab testing and over 15 years of field research. Martina Newell-McGoughlin, Director of the University of California Systemwide Biotechnology Research and Education Program, said that "GMOs are more thoroughly tested than any product produced in the history of agriculture."

Over 2,000 global studies have affirmed the safety of GM crops. Trillions of meals containing GMO ingredients have been eaten by humans, with zero verified cases of illness related to the food being genetically altered.

GM crops can even be engineered to reduce natural allergens and toxins, making them safer and healthier. Molecular biologist Hortense Dodo, genetically engineered a hypoallergenic peanut by suppressing the protein that can lead to a deadly reaction in people with peanut allergies.
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Pro 2

GMO crops lower the price of food and increase nutritional content, helping to alleviate world hunger.

The World Food Programme, a humanitarian organization, between 720 and 811 million people face hunger globally. Population growth, climate change, over-farming, and water shortages all contribute to food scarcity. GMOs can help address those problems with genetic engineering to improve crop yields and help farmers grow food in drought regions or on depleted soil, thereby lowering food prices and feeding more people.

David Zilberman, Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley, said that GMO crops have "raised the output of corn, cotton and soy by 20 to 30 percent, allowing some people to survive who would not have without it. If it were more widely adopted around the world, the price [of food] would go lower, and fewer people would die of hunger."

To combat Vitamin A deficiency, the main cause of childhood blindness in developing countries, researchers developed a GMO 'Golden Rice' that produces high levels of beta-carotene. A report by Australia and New Zealand's food safety regulator found that Golden Rice "is considered to be as safe for human consumption as food derived from conventional rice."
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Pro 3

Growing GMO crops leads to environmental benefits such as reduced pesticide use, less water waste, and lower carbon emissions.

The two main types of GMO crops in use are bioengineered to either produce their own pesticides or to be herbicide-tolerant. More than 80% of corn grown in the US is GMO Bt corn, which produces its own Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticide. This has reduced the need for spraying insecticides over corn fields by 35%, and dozens of studies have shown there are no environmental or health concerns with Bt corn.

Drought-tolerant varieties of GMO corn have been shown to reduce transpiration (evaporation of water off of plants) by up to 17.5%, resulting in less water waste.

Herbicide-tolerant (Ht) GMO soy crops have reduced the need to till the soil to remove weeds. Tilling is a process that involves breaking up the soil, which brings carbon to the surface. When that carbon mixes with oxygen in the atmosphere, it becomes carbon dioxide and contributes to global warming. Reduced tilling preserves topsoil, reduces soil erosion and water runoff (keeping fertilizers out of the water supply), and lowers carbon emissions. The decreased use of fuel and tilling as a result of growing GM crops can lower greenhouse gas emissions as much as removing 12 million cars from the roads each year.

The global population is expected to increase by two billion by 2050. Andrew Allan, a plant biologist at the University of Auckland, explained, "So where's that extra food going to come from? It can't come from using more land, because if we use more land, then we've got to deforest more, and the [global] temperature goes up even more. So what we really need is more productivity. And that, in all likelihood, will require G.M.O.s."
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Con 1

Genetically modified (GM) crops have not been proven safe for human consumption through human clinical trials.

Scientists still don't know what the long-term effects of significant GMO consumption could be. Robert Gould, pathologist at the UC San Francisco School of Medicine, said, "the contention that GMOs pose no risks to human health can't be supported by studies that have measured a time frame that is too short to determine the effects of exposure over a lifetime."

Genetically modified ingredients are in 70-80% of food eaten in the United States, even though there haven't been any long term clinical trials on humans to determine whether GMO foods are safe.

According to the Center for Food Safety, a US-based nonprofit organization, "Each genetic insertion creates the added possibility that formerly nontoxic elements in the food could become toxic." The group says that resistance to antibiotics, cancer, and suppressed immune function are among potential risks of genetic modification using viral DNA.

Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project, explained, "Anyone who knows about genetics knows that there's a lot we don't understand. We're always discovering new things or finding out that things we believed aren't actually right." Because of the lack of testing, we may not have found the particular dangers in GMO foods yet, but that doesn't make them safe to consume.
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Con 2

Tinkering with the genetic makeup of plants may result in changes to the food supply that introduce toxins or trigger allergic reactions.

An article in Food Science and Human Welfare said, "Three major health risks potentially associated with GM foods are: toxicity, allergenicity and genetic hazards." The authors raised concerns that the GMO process could disrupt a plant's genetic integrity, with the potential to activate toxins or change metabolic toxin levels in a ripple effect beyond detection.

A joint commission of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) identified two potential unintended effects of genetic modification of food sources: higher levels of allergens in a host plant that contains known allergenic properties, and new proteins created by the gene insertion that could cause allergic reactions.

The insertion of a gene to modify a plant can cause problems in the resulting food. After StarLink corn was genetically altered to be insect-resistant, there were several reported cases of allergic reactions in consumers. The reactions ranged from abdominal pain and diarrhea to skin rashes to life-threatening issues.
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Con 3

Certain GM crops harm the environment through the increased use of toxic herbicides and pesticides.

An "epidemic of super-weeds" has developed resistance to the herbicides that GM crops were designed to tolerate since herbicide-resistant GM crop varieties were developed in 1996. Those weeds choke crops on over 60 million acres of US croplands, and the solution being presented to farmers is to use more herbicides. This has led to a tenfold increase in the use of the weed killer Roundup, which is made by Monsanto, the largest GMO seed producer.

The increased use of the weed killer glyphosate (created by Monsanto) to kill the weeds that compete with crops can harm pollinating insects. Scientists blame Roundup (the active ingredient of which is glyphosate) for a 90% decrease in the US monarch butterfly population. The weed killer potentially create health risks for humans who ingest traces of herbicides used on GM crops. When glyphosate is used near rivers, local wildlife is impacted, including a higher mortality rates among amphibians.

A report from the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network found that "Herbicide-tolerant crops reduce weed diversity in and around fields, which in turn reduces habitat and food for other important species."

Melissa Waddell, Editor of Living Non-GMO, explained, "Most GMO crops are engineered for herbicide resistance, so fields can be sprayed liberally with weedkillers that eliminate everything but the cash crop. Weeds are a huge problem for farmers - they compete with cash crops for nutrients, water and light. But diverse plant life also protects the soil from erosion and nutrient loss. It supports the pollinators and other beneficial insects that do so much of our agricultural labor. While 'welcoming the weeds' isn't a practical solution, neither is wiping out plant life with toxic chemicals. Between herbicide tolerance and built-in pesticides, GMOs are a double-decker biodiversity-wrecker."
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Discussion Questions
1.Should GMOs be grown and used in foods? Why or why not?

2. Should food labels include whether GMO plants have been included in the products? Why or why not?

3. What other ways can world hunger be alleviated if not via GMOs? Explain your answers.
Take Action
1. Consider Megan L. Norris' answer to the question " Will GMOs Hurt My Body? "

2. Discover " Science and History of GMOs and Other Food Modification Processes " according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

3. Explore Farm Aid's argument to change the GMO status quo.

4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the "other side of the issue" now helps you better argue your position.

5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives.
Sources

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GMO Pros and Cons - Should Genetically Modified Organisms Be Grown?

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Proponents say GMO foods have been proven safe. Opponents say studies have not confirmed the safety of GMOs. Explore both sides of the debate.

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Newsela | FDA says OK to salmon with genes modified to make it grow faster

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In the table below you will find some of the important advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering. You will realize that each benefit has a negative aspect. Basically, by modifying the genes, we can improve a condition at the cost of another. The modification of a specimen and its later introduction to the environment can negatively impact the nature.

Faster Growth Rate Animals and plants can be genetically modified to promptly mature. For example, crops can be engineered to increase crop yield. There are crops being engineered to survive unfavorable conditions such as high heat or low light. This gives farmers the ability to expand beyond the traditional locations and use the empty lands for other purpose. Animals can also be genetically modified to improve production. Diary cows can be engineered to produce more milk; sheep can grow wool faster; and animals bred for their meat can be engineered to grow bigger and faster (Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering, 2014).

Less Nutritional Value Concerns regarding the nutritional value of the products stems from the fact that some products can grow big and quickly at the cost of decreasing their nutritional value.

Pest-resistant and Extended Life This genetic modification is mainly executed in plants. The animal or plant 's genes are altered to make them perdurable and resistant to pests and diseases. Plants being cultivated can have built in pest repellents which help reduce the need for harmful chemicals and other pesticides that cause damage to the water supply (Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering, 2014).

Risky Pathogens Viruses and bacteria adapt to the environment. If a bacteria cannot get through the natural repellent of the genetically altered plant, there is a possibility that these viruses and bacteria will grow stronger and more resistant negatively affecting non genetically engineered plants/animals.

New Foods Currently, we can create new types of plants and animals by combining genes from different species. Scientists are taking a potato or soybean and giving the crop more nutrients to increase its value.

Negative Side Effects The goal of genetic engineering is to solve an issue by transferring genes to the organism that will help combat the problem. Sometimes, this can cause side effects. For example, you can modify a plant to need less water, but that would make it intolerant to direct sunlight (Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering, 2014).

Unfavorable Diversity Genetically engineered species that reach the wild can have a negative impact on the domestic species. Since species that have been modified tend to be stronger, unmodified species would soon disappear because of the introduction of modified species. This would result in a decreased diversity.

Watch the following videos about the pros and cons of genetic engineering:

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In the table below you will find some of the important advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering. You will realize that each benefit has a negative aspect. Basically, by modifying the genes, we can improve a condition at the cost of another.

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Various Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering For Cloning and Transformation - Conserve Energy Future

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‘Genetic engineering’ is the process to alter the structure and nature of genes in human beings, animals or foods using techniques like molecular cloning and transformation. In other words, it is the process of adding or modifying DNA in an organism to bring about a great deal of transformation.

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Are GMOs Good or Bad? Genetic Engineering & Our Food

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Learn Genetic engineering facts for kids

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Genetic engineering is a process by which the genes of a living thing are modified, or changed. Genes are tiny units that carry information about an organism. They make up...

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Debates continue about whether students should wear uniforms in schools; however, when you read about schools around the world, a high percentage of those surveyed support school uniforms. Many schools agree that uniforms help remove economic barriers, build feelings of community, and reduce instances of bullying.

Our APA Dress Code is founded on similar beliefs that uniforms decrease distractions, simplify the morning routine, increase respect for each student, and prepare students for success by teaching professional dress.

There are many reasons to encourage school uniforms like the ones worn at American Preparatory Academy. Here are some of them.

1. School uniforms promote learning. Our program is rigorous and requires full attention to be successful. We believe our students' focus should be on what they are learning and not on what they are wearing.

2. School uniforms nourish a sense of equality. When students have similar expectations for dress, unhealthy competitive feelings about looks are reduced. Students can stand out because of their character and not their clothes.

3. School uniforms promote a feeling of community. At APA, we believe our school dress should complement our learning culture. We are preparing our students for success in college and beyond. We want our students to have a proper expectation of professionalism. When our students wear uniforms, they feel included. They are part of a team working toward success in the classroom and life.

4. School uniforms make it easier to get ready for school. One of the best reasons for school uniforms? No more indecision about what to wear in the morning!

5. Uniforms help prevent embarrassing problems while promoting self-discipline. We have developed a standard of dress that is reliable for everyone. We want to help our kids avoid issues related to modesty and cleanliness. Dirty and unkept outfits quickly become a non-issue when there is a standard.

6. School uniforms improve safety. Keeping track of students and what they carry into our schools is made easier for staff and other students. Intruders can be identified right away by our school community because they stand out.

7. School uniforms do not eliminate individuality. Our students have fun participating in the occasional spirit wear or free dress day; however, these days are not the focus for our kids. The character of the individual student is our focus. Our kids shine because of who they are, not how they look.

8. School uniforms are more affordable. At the beginning of the school year, our families typically purchase two sets of uniforms for each of their students. Many of our uniform vendors provide durable options that stand up to repeated washing and wear. Parents may need to replace an item or two throughout the year; however, this is often due to children growing up so fast. Overall, our families save money with uniforms by not having to keep up with the latest fashion trends.

9. Parents and teachers support school uniforms. Administrators and teachers are highly in favor of school uniforms at American Preparatory Academy. Our staff manual states that our, "staff must match the level of formality of our students." Most parents say that they love the convenience of school uniforms, and they can tell that students have more confidence when they wear them.

The student dress code at American Preparatory Academy is one that helps create an environment of respect and dignity. Student dress exemplifies students' respect for themselves, their classmates, and learning. When everyone is wearing the same thing, students can focus on essential issues like academics and character.

Our school uniform guide can be viewed here.

Are you considering American Prep for your student? American Prep is an award-winning, tuition-free charter school. We are accepting applications for the new school year.

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A good school uniform policy for public, charter, and private schools can increase safety, confidence, and community in schools. This is APA's approach.

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The debate over whether students should wear school uniforms has been going on for more than a decade. Some people argue that uniforms have a positive impact on the school environment by promoting inclusivity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Others fear that school uniforms prevent kids from expressing themselves through their clothing choices.

The research on school uniforms is often mixed. While some schools have found uniforms to be beneficial, other research has found that they have little effect. Some studies have even reached the conclusion that requiring school uniforms can be harmful for students.

Let's take a closer look at some of the potential benefits, as well as the challenges, of requiring students to wear uniforms.

Student Safety

Some people think that school uniforms can help make schools safer for kids. When Long Beach, CA, required all students in grades K-8 to wear uniforms, reports of assault and battery decreased by 34%.

Additionally, assault with a deadly weapon decreased by 50%, fighting incidents declined 51%, and sex offenses dropped by 74%. Possession of weapons dropped by 52%, possession of drugs went down 69%, and vandalism was lowered by 18%.

The Sparks Middle School in Nevada reported a decrease in gang activity after instituting a uniform policy. They also reported a drop in fights, graffiti, property damage, and battery. Overall, there was a 63% drop in police reports.

Other proponents of school uniforms report that it prevents students from concealing weapons under clothing. And some also believe intruders would be recognized faster, making the students and staff safer in the event someone from the community tries to enter the school.

Not all studies have found that uniforms reduce discipline issues, however. In fact, a peer-reviewed study found that school uniforms increased the average number of assaults by about 14 per year in the most violent schools. The Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Education Evaluation and Management found that fights in middle schools nearly doubled within one year of making uniforms mandatory.

Focus on Education

For many students, clothing can be a major source of stress. Not having certain brand name clothing or not wearing fashionable items could lead to feelings of insecurity.

Some people feel students are better able to concentrate on school when they all wear the same clothing. Researchers in Australia noted that students who wear uniforms had improved discipline and academic performance.﻿﻿

Not all studies have found that uniforms improve grades, however. In fact, at least one study found that school uniforms had a negative effect on achievement.﻿﻿﻿﻿

Attendance Rates

Kids may show up to school more often when they're wearing uniforms. A study by researchers at the University of Houston found that the average attendance rate for girls in middle and high school increased by 0.3 to 0.4 percent after school uniforms became mandatory.﻿﻿﻿﻿ A study by Youngstown State University also found that attendance rates increased and suspensions decreased once students began wearing uniforms.﻿﻿﻿﻿

Students may also be more likely to show up to school on time when they have to wear uniforms. If they don't have to spend time choosing what to wear every morning, students are able to get out the door more quickly. This means fewer late arrivals.

Discipline Issues

Proponents of uniforms report that it can improve behavior in students. One school that found this to be true is the John Adams Middle School in Albuquerque, NM. When they mandated school uniforms, discipline referrals dropped from 1,565 in the first semester of the previous year to 405.﻿﻿﻿

An Australian study also concluded that students wearing uniforms were more disciplined and they listened significantly better. Classes were also more likely to start on time.﻿﻿﻿﻿

Not all studies have found this, however. Some research has found that disciplinary issues and bullying didn't decrease after instituting a mandatory uniform policy.

Dress Code Enforcement

Many school officials spend a lot of time policing dress codes. Enforcing policies can require a lot of resources as teachers may send kids to the office, and administrators have to determine whether clothing is too baggy, inappropriate, or revealing.

Kids who violate dress codes may spend a lot of time in the office awaiting consequences, or they may receive suspensions for repeated violations. School uniforms can keep kids in the classroom more and prevent staff from wasting time trying to enforce policies.

Cost for Families

Parents may spend less money on school clothes when kids wear uniforms. There is less pressure to buy expensive name-brand clothing, and school uniforms might be more affordable.

Opponents of school uniforms, however, say that requiring parents to buy specific articles of clothing goes against the idea that students should be given free education. When public schools force parents to buy uniforms, this could be placing a hardship on some families.

Impact on Self-Esteem

Proponents of uniforms report that they have a positive impact on student self-esteem.﻿﻿ Wearing the same clothing as everyone else means that students don't have to worry about whether their clothing choices will be acceptable to their peers.

But opponents argue that uniforms may have a negative impact on some students' body image. Research conducted at Arizona State University found that students without uniform policies actually reported higher self-perception scores than students with uniform policies.﻿﻿﻿

When all students wear the same clothing, they may be more likely to compare themselves to their peers as clothing fits differently on everyone's body.

The Problem With Uniform Research

Although there are many studies that examine the potential benefits and drawbacks of uniforms, many of them revealed correlation, rather than causation. Just because grades went up or behavioral problems went down, there's no way of knowing that the reason for the change was due to uniform policy. There are many other factors that may have influenced these issues.

A Word From Verywell

Before any school adopts a uniform policy, it may be wise to review the literature. While there certainly may be a lot of benefits to making uniforms mandatory, there are also some potential drawbacks and challenges you might face. Parents, teachers, and administrators may want to weigh the pros and cons before instituting any type of clothing policy for students.

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The Pros and Cons of School Uniforms for Students

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The debate over whether students should wear school uniforms has been going on for more than a decade. Here are some of the potential benefits and challenges of uniforms.

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Some schools have a policy stating that students must wear uniforms to class. Normally associated with private schools, uniforms have become more common in public schools, too. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, uniforms are required at about…

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History of School Uniforms
Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public schools that required school uniforms jumped from 12% in the 1999-2000 school year to 20% in the 2017-18 school year. School uniforms were most frequently required by elementary schools (23%), followed by middle (18%), and high schools (10%).

The first recorded use of standardized dress in education may have been in England in 1222, when the Archbishop of Canterbury mandated that students wear a robe-like outfit called the " cappa clausa." The origin of the modern school uniform can be traced to 16th Century England, when the impoverished "charity children" attending the Christ's Hospital boarding school wore blue cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along with yellow stockings. As of Sep. 2014, students at Christ's Hospital were still wearing the same uniform, and according to the school it is the oldest school uniform still in use. When Christ's Hospital surveyed its students in 2011, 95% voted to keep the traditional uniforms. Read more history...

Pro & Con Arguments

Pro 1

School uniforms deter crime and increase student safety.

In Long Beach, California, after two years of a district-wide K-8 mandatory uniform policy, reports of assault and battery in the district's schools decreased by 34%, assault with a deadly weapon dropped by 50%, fighting incidents went down by 51%, sex offenses were cut by 74%, robbery dropped by 65%, possession of weapons (or weapon "look-alikes") decreased by 52%, possession of drugs went down by 69%, and vandalism was lowered by 18%.

And, school uniforms prevent the display of gang colors and insignia, reducing gang activity and pressure to join on school property. The U.S. Department of Education's Manual on School Uniforms stated that uniform policies can "prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school" in order to "encourage a safe environment." Educators in the Long Beach Unified School District have speculated that the sharp reduction in crime following the introduction of school uniforms was a result of gang conflicts being curbed. Osceola County, Florida School Board member Jay Wheeler reports that the county's schools had a 46% drop in gang activity after their first full school year with a mandatory K-12 uniform policy. Wheeler explains that "clothing is integral to gang culture... Imagine a U.S. Armed Forces recruiter out of uniform trying to recruit new soldiers; the success rate goes down. The same applies to gang recruitment." [35] [37] [67]
Read More

Pro 2

School uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes.

Wearing uniforms also enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit, which can boost interest in education. A study of over 1,000 Texas middle school students found that students in uniform "reported significantly more positive perceptions of belonging in their school community than reported by students in the standard dress group." Christopher P. Clouet, former Superintendent of the New London Public Schools in Connecticut, stated that "the wearing of uniforms contributes to school pride." Arnold Goldstein, PhD, head of the Center for Research on Aggression at Syracuse University, points out that uniforms help troubled students feel they have the support of a community: "There is a sense of belonging." Further, "teachers perceived an increase in the level of respect, caring, and trust... throughout the school" and "students are made to feel 'important' and as if they are a part of a team by wearing a uniform," according to a peer-reviewed study.

Plus, school uniforms can improve attendance and discipline. A study by researchers at the University of Houston found that the average absence rate for girls in middle and high school decreased by 7% after the introduction of uniforms, and behavioral problems lessened in severity. School uniforms make getting ready for school easier, which can improve punctuality.
When uniforms are mandatory, parents and students do not spend time choosing appropriate outfits for the school day. According to a national survey, over 90% of US school leaders believe school uniform or formal dress code policies "eliminate wardrobe battles with kids," make it "easier to get kids ready in the morning," and create a "time saving in the morning." Tracey Marinelli, Superintendent of the Lyndhurst School District in New Jersey, credits the district's uniform policy for reducing the number of students running late. Lyndhurst student Mike Morreale agrees, stating that "it's so much easier to dress than having to search for clothes and find out that something doesn't match." A Youngstown State University study of secondary schools in Ohio's eight largest school districts found that school uniform policies improve rates of attendance, graduation, and suspension.
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Pro 3

Students' legal right to free expression remains intact with mandatory school uniforms.

Besides, students can still express their individuality in school uniforms by introducing variations and adding accessories. Junior high school student Amelia Jimenez wrote in her op-ed for the Pennsylvania Patriot-News that "contrary to popular belief, uniforms do not stop students from being themselves. Uniforms do not silence voices. Students can wear a variety of expressive items, such as buttons or jewlery." Students can inject their personal style into their daily look with hairstyles, nail polish, and colorful accessories such as bags, scarfs, and fun socks. 54% of eighth-graders said they could still express their individuality while wearing school uniforms.

Further, students dressed in uniform are better perceived by teachers and peers. A 1994 peer-reviewed study found that students in uniform were perceived by teachers and fellow students as being more academically proficient than students in regular clothes. The study also found that students in uniform were perceived by peers and teachers as having higher academic potential, and perceived by peers as being better behaved. Students need to learn a balance between free expression and working within the confines of expectations.
Read More

Con 1

School uniforms do not stop bullying and can actually increase violent attacks.

Further, a peer-reviewed study found that "school uniforms increased the average number of assaults by about 14 [per year] in the most violent schools." A Texas Southern University study found that school discipline incidents rose by about 12% after the introduction of uniforms. And, according to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Education Evaluation and Management, fights in middle schools nearly doubled within one year of introducing mandatory uniforms.
Read More

Con 2

School uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results.

The problems arise because focusing on uniforms takes attention away from finding genuine solutions to problems in education. Spending time and effort implementing uniform policies detracts from more effective efforts to reduce crime in schools and boost student performance. More substantive improvements to public education could be achieved with smaller class sizes, tightened security, increased parental involvement, improved facilities, and other measures. Tom Houlihan, former Superintendent of Schools in Oxford, North Carolina, stated that school uniforms "are a distraction from focusing on systematic and fundamental transformation to improve our schools."

That uniform policies are a distraction is most evident when we realize that the push for school uniforms is driven by commercial interests rather than educational ones. Americans spend around $1 billion on school uniforms every year. Retailer J.C. Penney Co. says school uniforms are "a huge, important business for us." In one year alone, uniform company Lands' End spent $3 million on marketing efforts directed at public schools and districts. Multiple studies used to promote the effectiveness of uniforms were partly funded by Lands' End, and at least one of those studies is "so wholly flawed as to render itself useless," according to David L. Brunsma. Reuters reported that retailers were "sensing their opportunity... stepping up competition in the uniform aisles and online. Walmart has set up 'uniform shops' or temporary boutiques within some stores."

The commercialization of school uniforms in public schools also undermines the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families. Parents already pay taxes, and they still need to buy regular clothes for their children to wear when they're out of school and for dress-down days. The Children's Commission on Poverty (UK) found that over "95% of parents on low incomes reported difficulties in meeting school-related costs," including uniforms, despite their children attending tuition-free schools. Anderson, Indiana, parents Laura and Scott Bell argued against their children's school uniform policy, saying the $641 for their children's uniforms broke the guarantee of a free public education. In York County, Pennsylvania, a local NBC affiliate reported that some children were missing class because their families couldn't afford to purchase the required uniforms. And, all of that is before the uniform policies themselves are examined. Most operate like dress codes and are classist, racist, and sexist.
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Con 3

School uniforms restrict students' freedom of expression.

Uniforms take away the ability to use clothing as means of expressing support for social causes. Students at Friendly High School in Prince George's County, MD, were not allowed to wear pink shirts to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and 75 students received suspensions for breaking the school's uniform restrictions. Removing these choices can delay the transition into adulthood. Adults make their own clothing choices and have the freedom to express themselves through their appearance. Denying children and teenagers the opportunity to make those choices may make them ill-prepared for the adult world. Adolescents see clothing choices as a means of identification, and seeking an identity is one of the critical stages of adolescence, according to the late developmental psychologist Erik Erikson.

When students have to wear the same outfits, rather than being allowed to select clothes that suit their body types, they can suffer embarrassment at school. Child and teen development specialist Robyn Silverman says that students, especially girls, tend to compare how each other looks in their uniforms: "As a body image expert, I hear from students all the time that they feel it allows for a lot of comparison... So if you have a body that's a plus-size body, a curvier body, a very tall body, a very short body, those girls often feel that they don't look their best." A study by researchers at Arizona State University found that "students from schools without uniforms reported higher self-perception scores than students from schools with uniform policies." Some students also find uniforms less comfortable than their regular clothes, which may not be conducive to learning.
Read More

Did You Know?

1. The first school district in the United States to require all K-8 students to wear uniforms was Long Beach, CA, in Jan. 1994.

2. Americans spend around $1 billion per year on school uniforms.

3. Students at Eton, one of England's most prestigious schools, were required to wear black top hats and tails on and off campus until 1972.

4. US schools with a minority student population of 50% or more are four times as likely to require uniforms than schools with a minority population of 20-49%, and 24 times more likely than schools with minority populations of 5%-19%.

5. A government agency in Sweden declared that mandatory school uniforms were a human rights violation, stating that students should decide their dress and appearance as "a matter of the individual's freedom and integrity."

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School Uniforms Pros and Cons - 13 Arguments For and Against

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Proponents say uniforms may increase student safety. Opponents say uniforms restrict expression. Explore both sides of the debate.

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Did you ever be asked to wear uniforms in school? Which type of school did you go to? Do you like the uniform policy, or do you prefer wearing normal clothes in school? What's your first thought on this question? In today's blog, I will be talking about the pros of school uniforms and why people from different standpoints support the uniform policy.

When I first see the term "school uniform", I first connect it with private schools because it seems to be more common to have a uniform policy in private schools than in public schools. However, there has been a trend towards uniforms in public schools. Though the public school I went to did not require students to wear uniforms. There are many other public schools across the country that have uniform requirements. According to the statistics below, in recent years, more and more public schools began to require uniforms. In 2015-2016, over 25 percent of public schools required students to wear uniforms. Why does uniform policy become so popular? What is the attitude of the students towards this problem?

Firstly, school uniforms can protect students from bullying issues. Wearing uniforms help students to feel inclusive in school since everyone wears the same. They do not need to worry about others may judge them due to their outfits. In addition, school uniforms also help the issue between upper grades students and lower grades students. In many schools, the conflict between the two groups is a big concern. Some schools even arrange the two groups in different buildings to help this issue. But wearing uniforms can effectively address this problem. In many school bully cases, the conflict rises from a tiny issue such as the looking. Wearing uniforms in a way makes everyone look the same in appearance. Peer pressure of students is reduced. Therefore, a big part of conflicts can be avoided. Wearing uniforms also gives students a feeling that the school is a family. They will feel closer to their classmates who wear the same uniform. The school spirit is enhanced. As a result, fewer bully cases would occur in schools by wearing uniforms. Students in school are protected by just wearing uniforms!

Secondly, school uniforms protect students from all kinds of safety issues. "In Long Beach, CA, after two years of a district-wide K-8 mandatory uniform policy, reports of assault and battery in the district's schools decreased by 34%, assault with a deadly weapon dropped by 50%, fighting incidents went down by 51%, sex offenses were cut by 74%, robbery dropped by 65%, possession of weapons (or weapon "look-alikes") decreased by 52%, possession of drugs went down by 69%, and vandalism was lowered by 18%" (M. Sue Stanley). "One year after Sparks Middle School in Nevada instituted a uniform policy, school police data showed a 63% drop in police log reports, and decreases were also noted in gang activity, student fights, graffiti, property damage, and battery (Claudene Wharton). From the data above, uniform policy is found to be an effective method to deter crime and increase student safety.

Last but not least, wearing uniforms helps students focus on studying by reducing the comparison. If students are required to wear uniforms, they do not need to spend time thinking about what they should wear tomorrow. They do not need to pay attention to the latest trend since they do not compare themselves with other students. " A study by the University of Houston found that elementary school girls' language test scores increased by about three percentile points after uniforms were introduced" (Elisabetta Gentile and Scott A). Av oiding the comparison helps students to focus on study. In addition, the uniform policy saves parents time and money. Parents do not need to struggle about looking for proper clothes for their children. By buying the uniform suit, which can be used for multiple years, parents obviously saved a huge amount of money on children's normal clothing. As a result, uniform policy not only helps students focus on studying but also eases parents' worry.

People from different standpoints are supporting the school uniform policy. Parents would like their children to wear uniforms in school so that they do not need to spend more on children's clothing. Their children will also be more focused on studying by wearing uniforms. Therefore, many parents are supporting the uniform policy. Also, teachers will be happy to see students wearing uniforms. Since uniform policy addresses the school bully issue in a way, teachers will have less trouble to solve. Students more focusing on studying also motivates teachers to teach in school. The effectiveness of education will also improve. Therefore, teachers are willing to have a uniform policy. In addition, the school likes the uniform policy because wearing uniforms makes the students look tidier and reflects the school spirit. Uniforms make students look like a whole. As a result, parents, teachers, and schools all prefer that students wear uniforms.

However, students' opinions vary from individuals. Some students like the idea of uniforms so that they do not need to struggle with their outfits in the school morning. But some students dislike the uniforms because they wanted the freedom to express themselves by wearing the clothes they like. I found two student representatives' comments on this issue.

From Santa Clara, California

"Uniforms are as much about safety as they are about inclusion. Teachers don't have to worry about losing sight of students at the playground or on a field trip. Also, when kids wear uniforms, both the older and younger students feel like they are part of the same group. I wear a uniform and feel like my school is one big team. I feel included. I think it is harder to bully someone about his or her clothes if you are all wearing the same thing. When everyone is dressed the same, you don't have to worry about how you look or about wearing the latest trend. Parents can save money, as well! And in the morning, I can save time because I don't have to choose what kind of clothes I should wear."

2. Emerson Sperling, 12

From Sterling Heights, Michigan

"I don't think kids should have to wear a uniform. If students are wearing the exact same thing, they can't express themselves. Kids should feel like they can be their own person. They shouldn't have to match. During school hours, we should also be comfortable. If we're in scratchy shirts and uncomfortable dress pants, we're not going to focus very well. I get that the teachers don't want us focusing on everyone else's clothing, but it's still uncomfortable to be in a uniform all day. Also, parents have to go shopping and spend a lot of money on the uniforms. If students could wear normal clothes, we'd be able to express ourselves, be comfortable, and not spend money on outfits that we never wear at home."

In conclusion, school uniforms help address the school bullying issue, safety issue, and help students focus on studying, not their clothes. Through the uniform policy, parents save costs. Teachers have less trouble and schools become more united. Therefore they all favor the idea of uniforms. But not all students like this idea. The reasons vary depending on individuals. Do you think students should wear uniforms?

Sue Stanley, "School Uniforms and Safety," Education and Urban Society , Aug. 1996.

Claudene Wharton, "College of Education Researchers Conduct Study on Impacts of School Uniforms," unr.edu, Apr. 23, 2013.

Elisabetta Gentile and Scott A. Imberman, "Dressed for Success? The Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and Behavior," utdallas.edu, Jan. 15, 2010

"Should Students Wear Uniforms?", Time for Kids, https://www.timeforkids.com/g56/debate-should-students-wear-uniforms-2/ , November 26, 2019.

"Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms", ProCon.org, https://school-uniforms.procon.org/ , Jan 20, 2020.

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Did you ever be asked to wear uniforms in school? Which type of school did you go to? Do you like the uniform policy, or do you prefer wearing normal clothes in school? What's your first thought on this question?

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SCHOOL UNIFORMS AROUND THE WORLD. Big Surprise 5

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Should Schools Require Students to Wear Uniforms? | What are the pros and cons of school uniforms?

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Implementation of school uniforms may be a hot topic, but it is certainly not a new concept. Around the globe, students have been donning school uniforms for centuries. Discover more about the interesting history of uniforms worn by students.

Information About School Uniforms in England

Most historical information points toward England as the start of modern-day school uniforms.

Related Articles

Early Uniforms

According to ProCon.org, the first recorded use of school uniforms is in England in 1222. Students at one school were required to wear a robe-like outfit called a 'cappa clausa.' However, it wasn't until the 16th century that modern school uniforms made an appearance in recorded history.

During this time, Christ's Hospital boarding school mandated uniforms, that according to the BBC, citizens provided. The uniforms consisted of a blue cloak and yellow stockings, thus earning charity schools like Christ's Hospital the nickname 'blue cloak' schools.

Private and Preparatory School Uniforms

Later, school uniforms became associated with the upper class as private and preparatory schools began to use them more. Uniforms at these schools were incredibly formal. For example, ProCon.org notes that students at the prestigious Eton College were required to wear a black top hat and tails as their uniform up until 1972.

Modern Trends

Today, many students attending elementary and secondary schools in England are required to wear uniforms. The tradition began as a way to give schools a sense of identity and cohesion. School uniforms were meant to bring equality to the students regardless of their parents' wealth, says BBC.

In the past several years, uniforms have become more modern. Instead of the traditional uniform of a blazer and tie in a thick fabric, T-shirts or polo shirts and sweatshirts in school colors have become standard. Plain colored pants or jeans are also worn at some schools.

On the other hand, some schools have chosen to keep things just the way they have been for hundreds of years. For example, BBC reports that Christ's Hospital polled students in 2014 and 95% voted to keep the traditional uniform, citing school pride as a top reason.

United States: Public School Uniforms and Controversy

Use of school uniforms in the U.S. started in the early 1900s for parochial and private schools, but it wasn't until the 1980s that public schools began to use uniforms. Schools in Maryland and Washington D.C. were the first to implement uniform policies, although they were voluntary, according to ProCon.org. School officials at this time noticed changes in the students' attitudes as well as a decline of disciplinary issues after the uniform policy was introduced. This led a few other schools to start using uniforms as well.

Statistics Backing the Use of Uniforms

It wasn't until 1994 that school uniforms began to grow in popularity among public schools. Thanks to a school in Long Beach, California, there was now statistical information to back up the claimed benefits of school uniform policies. PBS reports that the California school's findings included a decrease in crime of 36%, a 50% drop in school muggings, and a 74% drop in sexual offenses.

Uniforms on the Rise

Although there have been many pieces of legislation regarding school uniforms in the United States, there are currently no states that require or ban them by statute according to ProCon.org. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2011 only 19% of public schools required uniforms. They also suggest that elementary schools are more likely than secondary schools to implement uniform policies, as are city schools over suburban and rural schools. The number of schools that require pupils to wear uniforms has been on the rise over the past 10 years especially.

Uniform History Around the World

School Uniforms in Australia

In the 1920s Australian boys were often seen wearing short pants and peaked school caps to school just like boys in England. The major difference was that boys in Australia tended to go to school barefoot, something English boys would never do.

After World War II, uniforms in Australia became a lot more casual. Today, this casual style is becoming increasingly normal for Australian schools.

School Uniforms in Africa

The pioneering work of missionaries throughout Africa started the history of school uniforms in Africa, according to Nile Journal. Uniforms were used as a way to differentiate students at the missionary schools from kids running the streets. Before and after World War II in Africa, school uniforms became particularly popular with totalitarian states. The uniforms were used as a way to recruit and control young people.

Today the school uniform is probably more prevalent in Africa than anywhere else in the world, despite its sometimes negative connotation. The sense of commonality is what keeps school uniforms thriving here.

School Uniforms in China

China widely adopted school uniforms in the 19th century as a symbol of modernity, says China Daily Asia. Early uniforms were influenced by Western fashion mixed with traditional Chinese attire. This inclusion of the country's own history made uniforms different from those of most countries.

Chinese school uniforms in the past have been criticized for being dull and showing little difference between styles for boys and girls. Today uniform styles are more influenced by Korean fashion with girls wearing bow ties, blouses, and plaid skirts while boys wear suits and ties.

School Uniforms in Japan

Japan is one of the few countries not directly inspired by traditional English school uniforms. Although the use of school uniforms wasn't prevalent until the 1900s, uniforms are now a common sight in Japan. Japan Powered notes that school uniforms here were modeled after French and Prussian military uniforms.

School uniforms started in Japan as a way to show other countries how upstanding Japan's citizens are. Girl's uniforms were modeled after sailor uniforms and boy's uniforms were modeled after army uniforms. It is very common in Japan for students to wear their uniform outside of school with a few more personal touches.

Knowing the Facts

The history of how and where school uniforms began as well as why they still exist can help parents, students, and school officials to better understand the controversial issue.

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Implementation of school uniforms may be a hot topic, but it is certainly not a new concept. Around the globe, students have been donning school uniforms for centuries. Discover more about the interesting history of uniforms worn by students.

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Introducing breaks after instruction time enhances attention and performance at all ages. Elementary students are more attentive in the classroom after recess than before it! Less disruptive...

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Jana Della Rosa's 7-year-old son, Riley, never had any particular interest in her job as an Arkansas state representative. At least, not until she started pushing for students to get 40 minutes of recess each day. Then, she says, he transformed into a little lobbyist.

"All this time I haven't had a cool job," said Della Rosa, a Republican from the city of Rogers and a mother of two. "Now Mom has a cool job. He asks me at least weekly, 'Have you got me more recess time yet?'"

Against a backdrop of teacher strikes aimed at systems that feel unresponsive to teachers and students, an effort to pass laws mandating recess for elementary-age children has picked up steam. Kids like Riley aren't the only ones who think it's a good idea: Study after study has shown that unstructured play time is crucial to development, not only benefiting physical health but also improving cognitive faculties not normally associated with play, including focus and recall.

Sensing a movement in the making-one driven by frustrated teachers, parents, and advocacy groups like the National PTA -politicians across the U.S. are introducing legislation that will square the school calendar with the available research and require schools to provide more playtime for young students.

The Research Says...

The benefits of a break in the school day extend beyond the value of the time outside.

A 2014 study of more than 200 elementary students, for example, found that physical activity improved students' fitness and brain function, enhancing their accuracy and reaction time in cognitive tasks. Other studies have concluded that children who have unstructured time during the school day exhibit greater creativity and problem-solving skills, are less disruptive, and learn crucial social lessons like how to resolve disputes and form cooperative relationships.

Citing all of those factors, in 2017 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-which pointedly differentiates play from physical education, defining recess as "unstructured physical activity and play"-recommended at least 20 minutes of recess a day at the elementary school level.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also weighed in, describing recess in a 2012 policy statement as a "necessary break in the day for optimizing a child's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development" that should "not be withheld for punitive or academic reasons."

'It Makes Me Want to Cry'

In the last two decades, as the federal No Child Left Behind Act ushered in a new focus on standardized testing-and schools responded to new security concerns and shrinking budgets-recess was increasingly seen as dispensable.

In a push to emphasize core subjects, 20 percent of school districts reduced recess time between 2001 and 2006, according to a study by the Center on Education Policy at George Washington University. And by 2006, the CDC had concluded that one-third of elementary schools did not offer daily recess for any grades.

"When you go back to the start of public schools and the drive to get kids educated 135 years ago, they all had recess," said Robert Murray, a pediatrician who co-authored the American Academy of Pediatrics statement.

"In the '90s, as we got more and more focused on the core courses and academic performance and test scores and all that, people began to look at recess as free time that could be taken away," Murray said.

Researchers and teachers alike say kids have suffered for it. Deb McCarthy, a fifth-grade teacher at Lillian M. Jacobs Elementary School in Hull, Massachusetts, said she started seeing an increase in behavioral problems and anxiety about eight years ago. She blames it on the heightened expectations and loss of playtime at school. There are schools where kids have no recess at all, she said, because time once set aside for play is now dedicated to testing prep.

"It makes me want to cry," McCarthy said, echoing the frustrations of many elementary teachers across the nation, who have argued that more 'seat time' was not developmentally appropriate. "I've been teaching for 22 years, and I've seen firsthand the change."

States of Play

Now some states are trying to reverse course. At least five have a recess law on the books: Missouri, Florida, New Jersey, and Rhode Island mandate 20 minutes of recess daily for elementary students, while Arizona requires two recess periods without specifying a length.

Seven more states-Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, Connecticut, and Virginia-require between 20 and 30 minutes of daily physical activity for elementary schools, leaving it up to schools how to allocate the time. Recently, legislators in Connecticut proposed a bill to increase that state's time commitment to 50 minutes.

Much of the legislation of the last few years has been initiated at the urging of parents and teachers. Florida's law, first proposed in 2016, passed in 2017 after "recess moms" across the state organized on Facebook and lobbied lawmakers. The group now helps parents in other states mount their own fights for free play.

A bill that would have required 20 minutes of recess in Massachusetts failed last year, but McCarthy, a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association's government relations committee, is hopeful it will pass this year. "We came really close the last time, but then they decided to put it to a study," she said. "I don't know what there really is to study, in all honesty."

Some educators have raised concerns that recess laws add another mandate to a school day that's already jam-packed with requirements. Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union and a onetime fifth-grade teacher, said Florida's recess requirement was "a good thing, but they forgot to figure out where it's going to fit."

Others have decided to rethink recess at the school or district level. A program called LiiNK -Let's Inspire Innovation 'N Kids-in several Texas school districts sends kids outside for four 15-minute recess periods daily.

Debbie Rhea, a professor and associate dean at Texas Christian University, launched the initiative after seeing a similar practice in Finland. It reminded her of her own elementary school years.

"We have forgotten what childhood should be," said Rhea, who was a physical education teacher before going into academia. "And if we remember back to before testing-which would be back in the '60s, '70s, early '80s-if we remember back to that, children were allowed to be children."

LiiNK was a big change for the Eagle Mountain Saginaw Independent School District, where schools saw their recess time quadruple after implementing the program four years ago.

"We've seen some amazing changes in our students," said district LiiNK coordinator Candice Williams-Martin. "Their creative writing has improved. Their fine motor skills have improved, their [body mass index] has improved. Attention in the classroom has improved."

New Beginnings

The trend of embracing recess encourages researchers like Murray, who is hopeful that schools will continue giving kids back that critical free time. "I think a lot of schools are starting to say, 'Gee, if our purpose is to try to help students learn, this turns out to be a benefit, not a detriment,'" Murray said.

Betty Warren, a kindergarten teacher at Banyan Elementary in Broward County, Florida, said she always carves out time for her students to unwind. Even when she taught upper grades, she had her math club students hula hoop or bounce balls while doing times tables.

"It's just hard for them to sit for long periods of time, so taking the breaks is very helpful. They're more focused and ready to settle down and listen and learn," she said. "Plus, it makes school fun. I'm a big believer that it's got to be fun."

Back in Arkansas, Della Rosa jokes that she feels like she's "finally able to fulfill that campaign promise I made when I was in fifth grade and running for class president: more recess for everybody."

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Time to Play: More State Laws Require Recess

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Jana Della Rosa's 7-year-old son, Riley, never had any particular interest in her job as an Arkansas state representative. At least, not until she started pushing for students to get 40 minutes of recess each day. Then, she says, he transformed into a little lobbyist.

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One of the more debated educational issues currently is whether there should be middle school recess. While one side points to the rising obesity rate among today's youth as a reason to keep it, the other side points to the fact that the American educational system lags behind many other countries.

The Debate About Recess in Middle Schools

Middle school did not become a type of school until the 1960's and 1970's in the U.S. During this time, there was a push to recognize the differences in development between older children and teenagers. As kids aged, their education skewed more toward preparing for adulthood, which meant less recess and more work.

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Regulations and Statistics

The decision to have recess still remains up to the school's principal or administration, but you often see a decrease in recess as children get older. To illustrate this decline in daily free time, the Benefits of Recess report points out 90 percent of schools offer daily recess to fifth graders, but only 35 percent offer it to sixth graders. Middle School recess includes physical activity during exploratory programs, midmorning breaks, lunchtime intramural activities, or health and fitness clubs.

The 2016 Shape of the Nation report by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) provides a snapshot of what recess in the U.S. looks like for adolescents.

15 states have a required minimum amount of time middle school or junior high students must spend on physical education.

87 percent of parents of middle and high schoolers support physical activity requirements in schools.

Out of schools responding from 35 states, none require physical activity breaks for middle school or junior high.

Only 25 percent of states require a weekly minimum amount of physical activity time for this grade level.

Why Opponents Say Middle School Recess Isn't Neccessary

There are more than a few factors that have led some educators to believe recess is not a necessity.

Educational Standards

When the trend to eliminate recess first started developing, it was in response to international competition. In 1983, Charles Doyle published a report called, A Nation at Risk. In it, he highlighted the many ways in which students from the United States fall short compared to their international counterparts. In other countries, the concept of having free time during a school day is foreign. Schools in other parts of the world are in session more days per year, for more hours per day, with more rigid schedules.

The logical conclusion was American students didn't spend enough time in school focused on learning. The report called for standardized testing and put pressure on students and teachers to perform, meaning more time needed to be spent learning and preparing for the tests. Many proponents of world academic competition adhere to this argument today suggesting American schools have a duty to educate students according to high standards that will prepare them to compete professionally in the global market.

School Budgets

School budgets are tight, but recess requires monitoring and equipment. For many schools, poor equipment or lack of school employees makes optional programs like recess impossible. Schools that struggle to pay for books and classroom materials or are faced with deteriorating buildings could fare better without the push to provide recess when they can barely provide an effective education. Playgrounds, fields, gymnasiums, games, sports equipment, and recess monitors all cost money that many schools just don't have. When funding is available, some argue it should be focused on learning environments and materials, not play things.

The Pro-Recess Movement

The idea of saving recess got major publicity in 2006 when Cartoon Network launched a campaign in conjunction with the National Parent and Teacher's Association called Rescuing Recess. The main goal was to promote written policy at the local and state levels that protects recess for students through sixth grade. The Benefits of Recess report explains how this movement toward recess for middle schoolers caught steam in 2011 when Chicago Public Schools became the first large urban district to announce making recess a daily requirement middle school.

Physical Benefits

Roughly 30 percent of kids ages 10 to 17 are obese or overweight in the U.S. Part of this issue relates to food choices and part of it relates to physical inactivity. In addition, the Shape of the Nation Report shares comprehensive research showing physical activity in adolescents:

Promotes growth and development

Helps prevent chronic illness in adults

Improves bone health and muscular fitness

Emotional and Behavioral Benefits of Middle School Recess

Susan Meyer, principal of Meads Mill Middle School, suggests, "Middle school kids need to have unwinding and reflecting time just as adults do." She uses parent volunteers and time during the lunch period for recess, which helps parents connect to their kids and the school while kids get a break and the chance to find support from their friends.

Fostering the concept of self-care by taking mental breaks and encouraging social time can have benefits for a tweens' emotional health and behavior during school. After reinstating recess for middle school students, International Christian School Uijongbu (ICSU) saw a significant decrease in the amount of detentions given in one year.

Cognitive Benefits of Recess in Middle School

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day for all kids, including adolescents. These expert doctors say, "Cognitive processing and academic performance depend on regular breaks from concentrated classroom work." The most effective breaks are frequent and long enough to allow for a mental decompression.

The Plausibility of Middle School Recess

Researchers, policymakers, schools, students, and parents are coming together to weigh in on this debate armed with current research and theories. While there are strong arguments from both sides, more research is needed on middle school recess specifically.

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Should Middle School Have Recess? | LoveToKnow

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One of the more debated educational issues currently is whether there should be middle school recess. While one side points to the rising obesity rate among today's youth as a reason to keep it, the other side points to the fact that the American educational system lags behind many other countries.

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When the Common Core hit the public school system in 2009, education shifted from a whole-child approach to a more narrow focus centered around passing standardized tests. The goal, in part, was to maintain a certain standing with the Department of Education.

As many schools opted to increase instruction time during the academic day, or extend the school day altogether, a common casualty quickly became recess. Today, recess time is limited across the country, if present at all, and the impact has been widely debated.
The Importance of Unstructured Physical Activity and Play
In response to the reduction of recess across the country, the American Association of Pediatrics authored a policy statement in 2013 , which recognizes the important role that recess plays in a student's academic day. It affirms the need to provide each child with an opportunity to engage in "unstructured physical activity." Regular breaks from the academic day enable children to practice and develop social skills, use their imaginations, and engage in physical activity, all of which enhance cognitive performance in the classroom.
Setting the Stage for Healthy Choices
At Fessenden, we recognize that recess is an important, beneficial, and necessary component of a middle schooler's academic day. We infuse multiple opportunities for children to capitalize on the benefits of recess into strategic times of the day. For example, every day during our PLR, or Pre-Lunch Recess, we ensure that all of our students have a chance to experience social, physical, and mental breaks. The benefits of holding recess just prior to lunch were highlighted in a 2014 study by Joseph Price and David R. Just, titled, "Lunch, recess and nutrition: Responding to time incentives in the cafeteria." In their research they found that student consumption of fruits and vegetable rose by 54% when lunch followed a recess period.
The Many Benefits of Recess
As Professor Andrew Pellegrini wrote in 2008 , "some claim that recess is a waste of valuable time that could be more profitably used for instruction," but, he continues, "there is no theory or empirical evidence to support this point of view. There is, however, abundant and clear evidence that recess has beneficial effects on children's social competence and academic performance."

The social benefits Pellegrini speaks of are multi-faceted. To begin with, recess offers middle school students an opportunity to interact with large and diverse peer groups. While the unstructured nature of recess may lead to social conflict, it also provides students with the earliest opportunities to practice their conflict resolution skills.
Enhancing Conflict-Resolution Skills
The ability to sort through conflict with a peer is a skill that many remember first approaching while on the playground. Middle school attempts at conflict resolution can be "messy," but it is the messiness that is important because it most accurately reflects real-life situations children will face later in their lives. Of course, the watchful eye of the teacher is essential in modeling and aiding the students during these formative situations.

Beyond social benefits, recess also provides physical and mental health benefits. The physical benefits of daily activity are abundant, and were even espoused by Thomas Jefferson, who was famous for believing that "no less than two hours a day should be devoted to exercise." While this is advice from a different time, the American Academy of Pediatrics believes it was not too far off, recommending 60 minutes of "moderate to vigorous" activity per day. Thus, mental benefits of recess include: increased awareness;, a reduction in disruptive in class behavior, as Time Magazine pointed out in a 2015 article;, and higher levels of "creative thinking, problem solving, independence, and perseverance."
You tell us.
What does recess look like at your child's school? Do you see the benefits? Tell us in the comments section below.

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Why Recess Should Be a Staple in Your Child's Middle School

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When the Common Core hit the public school system in 2009, education shifted from a whole-child approach to a more narrow focus centered around passing standardized tests. The goal, in part, was to maintain a certain standing with the Department of Education. As many schools opted to increase instruction time durin ...

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Technology has done a lot to make our lives easier and more efficient. Yet as a parent, you ought to be concerned about the impact that devices such as smartphones can have on your child. At a time when it is becoming commonplace for kids to have their own mobile device, shouldn't you be worried about what negative impact a smartphone could have on your child's growth?

1.They alter the parent-child relationship

Even while smartphones can be convenient, they alter the bonding that is supposed to exist between a parent and child. The connectivity attached with smartphone use cannot be the same as the genuine connection which the parent and child are meant to have. Children are still passing through a period of growth, and you need to establish your relationship with them. With smartphones, you have speed and instant answers available; yet this could lead to your kids making bad choices in the long run.

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2. It limits their creative minds

With easy access through a smartphone to a majority of their play, kids now have a platform to be bombarded with various exciting games. These games limit their creativity and imaginations and slow their motor and optical sensory development.

3. It causes them to get less sleep

According to this study, a smartphone in the bedroom can bring about significantly less sleep, later bedtimes, and more fatigue. Your child needs to be getting plenty of sleep and have his brain rested for the next day's activities. A smartphone certainly wouldn't help him attain that.

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4. It doesn't give kids the time to reflect or learn about the consequences of their actions

Imagine a kid having a conversation on a chat site and things go wrong. "I wish you lose your life" is uttered at him. Even perfectly nice kids would spontaneously react by saying, "I wish you lose your life too.'" This happens because the child is not offered the opportunity to reflect on the impact and the negativity of their actions or what they say. With a smartphone, things happen fast.

5. It impedes their ability to learn

According to researchers, a smartphone is detrimental to a child's social-economic development as it diverts a child's attention. According to the findings, the use of interactive screen time on such devices could also impair a child's development of the skills needed for math and science.

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6. It causes an addiction

It jeopardizes the child's overall development. By engaging them in so many activities, a smartphone could become a source for an addiction. This kind of addiction engages their minds and captivates them for a long time, even to adulthood.

7. It has a negative impact on your child's mental health

According to experts, amongst the causes of depression and anorexia in kids is the use of the smartphone and connection to the internet. Since through it kids are bullied and often unsupervised, there is a negative impact on their mental health.

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8. It indirectly causes obesity

Too much time spent on smartphones also affects the physical health of your kids. With a smartphone, your child is subjected to remaining at a particular spot for hours. Such technology overuse is now a factor causing obesity.

9. It causes behavioral problems

Spending more than two hours per day on a smartphone is enough to cause emotional and social problems. Accordingly, exposure to the games available on smartphone apps links children to an increased risk of attention problems.

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10. It desensitizes children to violence

Through the smartphone, kids are exposed to violence in games and through cyberbullying on chat sites. This desensitizes children and prompts them to accept that violent behavior is simply a normal way to solve problems.

Featured photo credit: http://www.pixabay.com via pixabay.com

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10 Reasons You Shouldn't Hand A Smartphone to Your Children

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Technology has done a lot to make our lives easier and more efficient. Yet as a parent, you ought to be concerned about the impact that devices such as smartphones can have on your child.

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Should kids have cell phones? Pros and cons

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Pros and cons of cell phones for kids development. What impact may smartphones have on them? Should parents buy mobile phones for their children? When?

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Cell phones are popular with kids, especially tweens and teens. But many parents are not sure when it is appropriate for kids to have a phone. Unlike other parenting problems, most of us can't think back to our own childhood to see how our parents handled this issue.

For many parents, a cell phone seems like something else that kids nag them about getting, such as an iPad, Xbox, Wii, or a new laptop. Teens and tweens likely see the cell phone issue differently. For them, getting a cell phone is a step towards independence. It is also often a status symbol among their friends.

Some schools ban cell phones, so your child may not be able to have or use the phone during the time when they are most likely to be away from home. Other schools let kids have and use phones in between classes.

Arguments for Cell Phones for Kids

One very good reason to get your child a phone is that it lets you stay in touch with them at almost all times. Your child can let you know that a gymnastics lesson or baseball practice has finished early, for example.

When your child has a phone, you can easily get in touch with them in case of an emergency. This extra sense of security and safety is probably the only reason that parents should even consider getting a younger child a cell phone. In the case of a real tragedy, like a school shooting, a cell phone can be your only lifeline to your kids.

A cell phone can also be an important way to keep in touch with your older teen, especially if they are driving. A phone with GPS tracking can help you know where your teen is at all times.

While security, safety, and convenience are the main reasons to consider getting your child a cell phone, other benefits might include:

Keeping your child from being left out when many of their friends have cell phones (although giving in to peer pressure isn't really a positive)

Teaching your child responsibility as they learn to care for their phone, avoid losing it, and stay within their cell phone plan's voice, data, and texting minutes

Arguments Against Cell Phones for Kids

There are many reasons to hold off on giving your child a cell phone, especially during the tween years.

Cell phones can be expensive. You can be hit with extra charges for going over your time or data limits, buying apps and music, and using the internet. And that doesn't include the cost of a replacement phone if your kids lose their phone.

Broader Internet Access

Although the increased independence that a cell phone might offer a child can be good, it can also be a negative. With a cell phone, your child will have another way to communicate with the outside world that you will have little supervision over. Most cell phones offer almost complete access to the Internet and a wide array of apps that are much harder to filter and control than your home computer.

A cell phone also gives the outside world another way to communicate with your child. A sex offender could hide behind the anonymity of text messaging and social media apps to talk with and groom your child.

Distraction

Cell phones may be a distraction to kids. We all know that they are a distraction for drivers, but cell phones can also be a big distraction for kids crossing the street on foot, leading to more accidents and injuries.﻿﻿

Behavior Problems

Cell phones also put your child at risk for getting in trouble for sending, posting, or receiving inappropriate photos. Or a child might make prank calls, or be blamed for them if a classmate takes their phone and uses it to make inappropriate calls.

Making the Decision

Whether or not your child is ready for or needs a cell phone is something you will have to decide for yourself. Do make sure that your child can handle the responsibility for a cell phone before you buy one. When getting your younger child a cell phone, consider putting some limits in place. For example:

Purchase a pre-paid plan with a limited number of minutes so that you won't be faced with a lot of extra charges.

Look for a phone that allows strict limits, including being able to turn off web access and text messaging. Some phones also allow you to restrict both incoming and outgoing calls to certain numbers.

Give the phone to your child only on certain occasions, such as when they might not be near another phone

Download a GPS tracker app onto the phone, or require your child to share their location, so that you can easily find them when you need to.

Discuss serious cell phone issues, such as cyberbullying, the dangers of distracted driving, cell phone etiquette, and school rules for cell phone use.

A phone for younger kids that includes many of these features is from FiLIP 2. It's a watch (wearable phone) that can call and get short texts from five trusted numbers. It includes location services and has an emergency call button. And because your child wears it, they are less likely to lose it.

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Is Your Child Ready to Have a Cell Phone of Their Own?

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Cell phones are popular with kids, especially tweens and teens. But many parents are not sure when it is appropriate for kids to have a phone. Unlike other parenting problems, most of us can't think back to our own childhood to see how our parents handled this issue.

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A new study has provided an answer to the question of the world's favorite superhero universe, as it's been revealed is more popular than in terms of search traffic.However, just because those whose search data was used in the study listed the Marvel Universe as their top preference, it doesn't mean DC's Universe didn't get high marks as well, as both universes have proven to be wildly popular across the globe.

Earlier this month, Game.co.uk released its findings of a survey that analyzed the Google Search results across the entire planet in an effort to find out the most popular universes, heroes, supervillains. The data not only shows the most searched universes and characters by country but also took a closer look at the most popular universe by the U.S. states, as well as which characters are most searched from every individual country. While some of the answers are less than surprising, others are particularly interesting and show how much the MCU and DCEU have impacted which characters are being searched the most. Let's break down some of the most interesting points coming from the data.

Related: Harley Quinn Is Going To War Against Gotham's New Arkham

The Most Popular Universe By Country

In data in over 60 countries, Marvel was the most searched in 51 of them - dominating North America. It's important to note these results are likely related to recently released projects from Marvel and DC - as the MCU has rolled out WandaVision and The Falcon and Winter Soldier over the past few months, while the DCEU has only released Wonder Woman 1984.

Leading the charge was the United States, having more than 300,000 monthly searches for Marvel. Rounding out the biggest fans in terms of searches was India with 110,000 searches, Brazil with 110,000 searches, the United Kingdom with 90, 500 searches, and France with more than 90,000 searches. With more than 85% of the countries searching Marvel over DC, it was an overwhelming victory for the Marvel side.

DC Comics actually did extremely well in Europe and Asia. South Korea accounted for more than 200,000 monthly searches - the second most on the list. Meanwhile, the United States had 165,000 searches (more than 140,000 less than Marvel), India had 110,000 (the same as Marvel), Brazil had 60,500, and Turkey had 60,500 as well. The search data shows DC is more popular than Marvel in some overseas markets, but even still, Marvel has statistically done better in the box office in those locations.

Related: Guardians of the Galaxy & X-Men Dominate Marvel's LGBTQ+ Pride Art

The Most Popular Universe By U.S. State

In the United States, Marvel properties and characters were searched more in 28 of 50 states, leading DC to nab 22 of the most popular states.

In this case, the data reveals California has the most Marvel searches, with more than 50,000, while Texas is the biggest DC fans with more than 40,000 search queries. While DC has much more searches in New York, North Carolina, and Indiana, Marvel has received more searches in the Mountain States and captured more searches overall in states all across the United States.

Related: Iron Man is a Greater Hero in DC's Universe Than in Marvel's

The World's Most Popular Heroes

Here's where the data gets particularly interesting.

Across the planet, the most searched hero overall was Spider-Man by a wide margin. The web-slinger ranked atop 57 different countries' most searched heroes, which accounted for nearly 50% of the study's share percentage. Spider-Man was the most searched hero in the United States and Sweden but also was popular across a number of smaller countries including Mongolia, Kazahkstan, Algeria, and Madagasgar.

Checking in second among the most-searched heroes is DC's Wonder Woman. Diana receiving a 12.8 share in the study, which might be slightly higher than usual with Wonder Woman 1984's release. Wonder Woman was Russia's most-searched heroes while being atop 15 different countries lists in total, including Egypt and Belarus.

Completing the top three was Batman, who ranked atop searches in 11 different countries, earning 9.2% of the share in the study. Iron Man just ranked below him with 10 countries and an 8.5% share. Noteworthy data includes Captain America, the patriotic U.S. hero, being the most searched in Canada and Australia, despite only ranking atop four total countries. Meanwhile, Groot was a top hero in search results in just one country, Turkey.

Related: Iron Man is a Greater Hero in DC's Universe Than in Marvel's

The World's Most Popular Villains

This might be the most surprising data on the list, not because of who ranks at the top, but because a couple of comic book-only characters made the list - with one ranking atop searches in 11 countries.

Unsurprisingly, Thanos the Mad Titan, the big villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ranks as the most-searched villain in 66 countries, grabbing more than 55% of the total share in the study. Thanos dominated across the globe while being the most searched in Canada and Australia. Meanwhile, Joker ranked second and was the most searched in 21 countries capturing nearly 18% of the total shares among villains, being the most searched in the United States. Ranking in third was Venom, who captured 13.6% of the shares in the study, leading in 16 countries including Russia and Brazil.

The fourth-ranked supervillain is the most surprising name on this list, Emplate. Marius St. Croix is the brother of Monet St. Croix and has been a villain in the comics. With diamond skin and the ability to take energy from the bones of mutants, the monstrous mutant has been an antagonist of the X-Men for more than 15 years - with his most notable arc coming from his time in Generation X, a still popular X-Men run to this day. He was recently invited to the mutant nation of Krakoa and has been featured in the X-Men's current reboot. But, for a character who's never appeared in any live-action projects, the fact Emplate ranked atop 11 countries lists (getting more than 9.6% of the study's shares) is a complete surprise. Apparently, Emplate is huge overseas.

The rest of the list is rounded out by Ultron (2 countries), Catwoman (2 countries), and another surprising face, Daken - the son of Wolverine. Daken, who also has never appeared in a live-action project for Marvel, was the most popular villain in terms of total searches in Germany. It's likely Daken ranked at the top because a handful of his stories are set in Berlin. Compared to some of the names expected to make this list that didn't, such as Marvel's Kilmonger, Loki, or Mysterio, or DC's Lex Luthor, Darkseid, or Scarecrow, Daken is certainly an outside-the-box choice. If you'd like to check out the study, you can find it here.

Next: Phase 4 Is Introducing Another Hero Strong Enough To Defeat Thanos Alone

Source: Game.Co.Uk
About The Author

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Marvel Is More Popular Than DC Worldwide, According To New Study

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A new study has provided an answer to the question of the world's favorite superhero universe, as it's been revealed is more popular than in terms of search traffic.However, just because those whose search data was used in the study listed the Marvel Universe as their top preference, it doesn't mean DC's Universe didn't get high marks as well, as both universes have proven to be wildly popular across the globe.

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When it comes to superheroes, most of us have our favourites from either Marvel or DC. This is a rivalry that was created long back and will always be open to debate.

When it comes to movies, Marvel is the clear winner, if we consider box office performances, while DC is struggling with scripts.

The last movies of a DC superhero that I truly loved was the Batman Trilogy, although they weren't the part of DC cinematic universe. Despite the below par performance of DC movies, I still enjoy them more than I enjoy the ones by Marvel, though.
Following are the reasons which strengthen my argument that DC is better than Marvel:
1. Character Depth

It was a delight to see the transformation of Bruce Wayne from the 'Batman Trilogy to 'Batman vs. Superman'. Where Nolan's Bruce was younger and more optimistic, DCEU's Bruce was mature and slightly darker. This transformation was brilliantly scripted because usually when we see a superhero, there's hardly any change in the character. But the character development here was astonishing and overwhelming.

This is where Marvel lacks. Except for suits & the beard of Captain America, Marvel has barely changed anything in its superheroes. The cocky-ness of Iron Man is great but eventually, it gets boring seeing it again and again.

2. Toughness

I would like to blame Disney for this one. Remember 'The Incredible Hulk'? He was scary! One would think twice before messing with him. Then Disney came into the picture & suddenly the Hulk turned into a PG-13 version of his former self.

What we saw after that was a soft Hulk and a series of 'childish' movies. Apart from Logan, no other movie of a Marvel superhero is good enough for an adult fan.

They are soft, the storyline is not deep, and they barely scratch the surface when it comes to dark villains. Against the entire MCU, just one guy from DC is enough - Superman.

3. Posters

Posters from Marvel movies are, well, boring! They are clean, quiet & again, lack the depth. On the other hand, posters from DC movies are stirring and dark, like the franchise itself.

From the Marvel posters, we get the feel of a family film which we should watch with kids. And that is certainly not a compliment if you're a diehard superhero fan.

4. Embracing The Dark Side

Marvel is all about fighting against villains and saving the world. DC is much more than that. DC openly shows the struggles of superheroes. Remember 'Justice League'? Batman knew he was old now. Contrary to his popular belief, he accepted he can't work alone.

Remember 'Wonder Woman'? The movie was more about her internal struggle to stay home or to be set free in the outside world and less about defeating the villain. You don't see such depths in Marvel movies. Maybe in 'Infinity War', but it was still an 'Ohh, there's a bad guy. Let's defeat him' kinda movie. Marvel needs to grow up!

5. TV Series

If we compare the first season of 'Arrow' and 'Daredevil', the former was way better. I'll tell you why! 'Arrow' developed the character from scratch. There was a background associated with each and every move that he learned. A flashback where we got to see how our superhero learned various techniques and his struggles to survive torturous conditions.

When I watched 'Daredevil', all I found was some blind guy who trained some blind kid. That's it! There was no 'how.' That's why I found Season 1 of 'Daredevil' to be one of the most overrated seasons.

To sum it up, Marvel lacks maturity. It is no longer the world where superheroes are just for kids. I can't say that I could ever find Iron Man better than Batman, but at least Marvel can try to make films keeping the adult audience in mind.

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5 Reasons Why DC Is Better Than Marvel Even Though The Box Office Numbers Say Otherwise

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When it comes to superheroes, most of us have our favourites from either Marvel or DC. This is a rivalry that was created long back and will always be open to debate. When it comes to movies, Marvel is the clear winner, if we consider box office performances, while DC is struggling with scripts.

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Marvel vs. DC: Big Budgets and Rotten Ratings | Reviews.org

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Between Marvel and DC, superhero movies dominate the box office. But which comic universe has the edge at the box office and which dominates the ratings?

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Marvel VS DC - Which is More Successful? Comic Company Comparison

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Marvel Vs DC: Which Heroes Can Beat Their Counterpart?

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Whether Iron Man Vs. Batman or Green Arrow Vs. Hawkeye, DC and Marvel fans have often wondered how their favorite heroes stack up against each other.

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If you are a comic book fan, then the question of which publisher is better may have crossed your mind. Well in this post we set up the biggest battle of them all. Marvel vs DC. We take a look at the history and the differences as well so you can better decide which you think is wins the title of th…

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On Sept. 30, California Senate Bill 206, the Fair Pay to Play Act, was passed. This bill allows college athletes, starting Jan. 1, 2023, to accept payment, hire agents and sign endorsement deals. The NCAA wrote to California Gov. Gavin Newsom the Wednesday before the bill was signed, pleading to not have it passed. The letter states that if this bill becomes law, it "would result in (schools) being unable to compete in NCAA competitions" and would be "unconstitutional." USA Today published a report that contained an interview with Ohio State coach and member of the NCAA board Michael Drake, in which he says the NCAA would take legal action against this bill if necessary. This bill has the potential to challenge the structure of the NCAA.

The NCAA posted a video on Twitter in March of last year explaining the logistics and potential consequences of paying college athletes. To stay competitive, not only does a university have to figure out how to pay football players, but athletes across the board. Texas A&M University has a total of 792 student-athletes and competes in 22 sports. If this law passed nationally, A&M would be competing with other universities to pay athletes. With that comes the argument of only paying football and basketball players. But if a university was just to pay players of two sports, would the others have to be cut to fund these programs?

We must go back to the basics if we want to uncover why paying college athletes is genuinely not the best idea.

Data published by the NCAA shows that "fewer than 2 percent of NCAA student-athletes go on to be professional athletes." The realistic career path for 98 percent of NCAA student-athletes is not to become a professional athlete. If these athletes go on to coach or manage a team within their sport, a college degree is extremely important if not mandatory. Changing the entirety of the NCAA regulations to benefit the two percent of student-athletes that would really benefit from getting paid is not realistic.

When talking about the bill on ESPN's " First Take," Heisman winner and two-time national champion Tim Tebow passionately explained his opposition to the law, saying "it changes what is special about college football."

"We're changing it from 'us' - which [is what] makes college football and college sports special - to it's just about 'me,'" Tebow said. "I know we live in a selfish culture where it's all about us, but we're just adding and piling it on to where it changes what's special about college football."

Texas A&M is a prime example of what can be unique about college football. Attending a school with fans as passionate as ours is inspiring. Hearing my dad yell with glee when Johnny Manziel led us to victory over Alabama in 2012 is the "we" about whom Tebow must have been talking. Those are my peers, and each player chose to be here.

I acknowledge the extreme work ethic that it takes to be a student-athlete, as well as the fact that universities benefit from student-athletes that do not see a dime of their earnings. After our very own Johnny Football won the Heisman trophy, A&M made $37 million in media exposure.

However, we have to keep in mind the nature of college athletics. Universities are four-year educational institutions, and the focus should be kept on academics. In paying college athletes, a piece of college sports' vibrance would be lost.

Between the risk of college sports losing the vibrancy of what it is, and the NCAA structure being flipped upside down. There is too much to lose when paying college athletes.California is the only state so far that has passed this bill or any bill like this one. I hope that no other state follows. There is too much to lose if college football becomes a minor league NFL.

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The Downsides of Paying College Athletes

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On Sept. 30, California Senate Bill 206, the Fair Pay to Play Act, was passed. This bill allows college athletes, starting Jan. 1, 2023, to accept payment, hire agents and sign endorsement deals. The NCAA wrote to California Gov. Gavin Newsom the Wednesday before the bill was signed, pleading to not have it passed.

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College sports generate billions of dollars in revenues in the United States every year. In 2016, CBS and Turner Broadcasting extended their contact with the NCAA Division 1 basketball tournament with an 8-year, $8.8 billion extension. That placed the value of March Madness at more than $1 billion per year for the first time in history.

The extension in 2016 followed a 2010 contract which offered a 14-year agreement to broadcast the annual tournament for $10.8 billion.

The NCAA states that 90% of the revenues generated through the games played by student athletes go into services, programs, or direct distribution opportunities which directly benefit member conferences and schools. Aside from equipment access, medical care, scholarships, and travel support, student athletes receive zero compensation for their participation in their chosen support.By definition, paying the athlete would make them a professional. On the other hand, it could be argued that scholarships are an alternative form of payment already being provided. Because of the revenues their activities generate, the pros and cons of paying college athletes are closely scrutinized.

List of the Pros of Paying College Athletes

1. It encourages healthier student athletes.
Paying college athletes for their participation in sports eliminates the need for them to find outside employment to support themselves. Many scholarships may offer tuition, room, and board coverage in return for participating in a sport, but not every student athlete qualifies for a scholarship. Walk-on players have their images used to generate revenues for the NCAA too for zero compensation. Paying all athletes would allow them to focus on academics and athletics without worrying about making ends meet.

2. It provides relief for families.
Families are often tasked with providing direct support for their student athletes to abide by current payment rules. Student athletes are not even permitted to autograph items, or sell certain personal memorabilia, as a way to generate revenues. Outside of student loans for partial scholarship or walk-on athletes, it is up to each family to pay for the student to be at the school. Paying the athlete would provide some financial relief to these families, which may not have the funds to make long-term supports.

3. It provides another incentive to play.
Most student athletes who play in college never become professional athletes. In the NCAA, fewer than 2% of college athletes go on to become professional athletes. Most become professionals in their chosen field of study. By offering a stipend for playing, much like a work-study program, students would gain another incentive to become involved in athletics. They could use these funds to pay for costs not covered by a scholarship. Students could save the money for a first apartment outside of college. If a student knows they will not go pro, they may decide to give up sports instead, which would ultimately reduce the income generated by collegiate sporting activities.

4. It would stop corruption.
Despite rules preventing such actions, coaches, shoe executives, agents, apparel representatives, and other industry professionals often conspire to pay recruits to join a specific college. It is a practice that stays out of the public eye because everyone involved benefits if no one knows about the payments. Using money to influence a high school student to select a specific program and hire a specific business manager is felony-level conduct. Allowing college athletes to be paid would help to limit this issue, which would reduce investigation costs across the board.

5. It would attract better athletes who stay in programs longer.
The goal of attending a college program should be to earn a degree. Academics should be the top priority. For the athletes that do have the ability to play professionally, going to college is a stop on the journey toward a good paycheck. If these athletes could be paid while they are attending a college program, then they would be more likely to stick with the program to eventually earn their degree. They could then be drafted into a professional league once they've completed their courses.

6. It could lower tuition rates.
Paying student athletes does not mean that the costs for everyone would automatically go up. For some institutions, the costs could actually go down. Increased competition for the best athletes would create improved programming at colleges across the country. Athletic facilities would be upgraded to encourage enrollment. Although the richest institutions would always be able to offer more, at the end of the day, most people would benefit from lower costs because the system would require more efficiencies to remain productive.

7. It could create college credits that could be used toward graduation.
One of the benefits of work-study programs is that it can supplement the credits earned while supplementing college tuition costs. Athletes could use some of the concepts and skills they learn within their program to enhance their educational experience. Depending on the setup of the program, it could even help athletes graduate with a degree in their chosen faster.

List of the Cons of Paying College Athletes

1. It would eliminate the line between amateur and professional sports.
The reason why student athletes are not currently paid, according to the NCAA, is that it would eliminate the separation between amateurism and professionalism in sports. If that line is eliminated, then the links between an education at a college and sports played at a college would weaken. That would cause the athletes who don't eventually turn pro to suffer because they'd have fewer opportunities available to them.

2. It would prioritize athleticism over academics.
Although students would still be required to meet academic standards to qualify for academic programs, paying athletes for sports participation would likely shift personal priorities. They would be required to maintain their position on the team to benefit from the income, much like they are required to do so now to maintain a scholarship. Athletes would choose programs where they would be paid the most, instead of choosing programs where they could learn the most.

3. It would become a burden on taxpayers.
The idea of paying college athletes a salary comes out of the revenues which are generated by sporting activities. In reality, much of that money is already used by the conferences and schools to host games or conduct events already. To pay athletes a salary, most public institutions would need to ask taxpayers for monetary support. Private institutions would likely increase tuition rates to meet the financial obligations involved. Those burdens could stop some students from enrolling for academic purposes, which would create lower-skill workers over time throughout the country.

4. It would burden smaller schools.
Would all student athletes receive the same amount of pay, no matter which school they chose to attend? If so, then there would be an undue burden placed on smaller schools that compete at higher levels. If pay levels are allowed to be tiered, based on where a college competes, then is it fair for one athlete to be paid more than another because they were accepted into a "superior" program? There are plenty of structural questions that would need to be resolved before paying college athletes became the norm.

5. It could encourage schools to cut other programs.
Many schools use the funds from their athletics programs to fund other programs and activities. If those funds are ordered to be used as a salary for college athletes, then the other programs and services might suffer because of it. That would degrade the quality of life available on-campus at many institutions. Depending on what programs were cut, it could even impact the safety of students over a long time period.

6. It could create issues of paycheck equality.
If athletics is treated like a work-study program, there could be issues of equality in pay that would need to be evaluated. Some students in other programs would likely not earn the same amount as an athlete for their work-study program. When everything comes down to dollars and cents, there could be more discrimination put into college campuses by paying college athletes than the benefits such an activity would provide.

7. It would create opportunities to unionize.
Student athletes who are receiving a salary would be classified as employees. That would give student athletes the right to unionize in many states. That would create conflicts between schools and athletes in a manner that is similar to the conflicts seen between owners and professional athletes. Some participants would still be minors, which means their parents would need to be involved in contract negotiations. New levels of administrative complication would be incorporated into the educational system, which would further increase costs.

Paying student athletes creates a number of variables which offer plenty of pros and cons to think about. Most people would agree that athletes should be compensated when profits are generated by their likeness and activities. Most would also agree that university programs should emphasize academics over athletics. Finding a balance, using key points like these, is the only way progress on this issue will be obtained.

Blog Post Author Credentials
Louise Gaille is the author of this post. She received her B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington. In addition to being a seasoned writer, Louise has almost a decade of experience in Banking and Finance. If you have any suggestions on how to make this post better, then go here to contact our team.

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14 Should College Athletes Be Paid Pros and Cons

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College sports generate billions of dollars in revenues in the United States every year. In 2016, CBS and Turner Broadcasting extended their contact with the NCAA Division 1 basketball tournament with an 8-year, $8.8 billion extension. That placed the value of March Madness at more than $1 billion per year for the first time in history.

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ARCHIVED WEBSITE

This topic was archived on Mar. 22, 2024, in light of recent developments. A reconsideration of the topic is possible in the future.

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is a nonprofit organization formed in 1906 that regulates college athletics, including game rules, athlete eligibility, and college tournaments. As of Mar. 2021, the NCAA was composed of "[n]early half a million college athletes [who] make up the 19,886 teams that send more than 57,661 participants to compete each year in the NCAA's 90 championships in 24 sports across 3 divisions."

The NCAA is seemingly the final authority to decide whether college athletes should be paid to play college sports. However, in 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Fair Play Act that allows college athletes to hire agents, sign endorsement deals, and be paid for the use of their likeness.

California was the first state to pass a NIL (name, image, and likeness) law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2023. But California was quickly followed by more states. As of June 10, 2021, 18 states have passed NIL laws; five more states have passed bills that were awaiting the governor's signature to become law; 14 states have introduced NIL bills; and one state has a bill passed by the Senate and awaiting a House vote, according to the Business of College Sports.

The NCAA was scheduled to vote on new NIL rules in Jan. 2021, but it then postponed the vote, citing "external factors." Days before the scheduled vote Makan Delrahim, JD, Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice under the Trump administration, questioned the proposed rules' compliance with antitrust laws.

Additionally, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear a case (National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Shawne Alston, et al.) about whether the NCAA is violating antitrust laws by restricting college athletes' compensation. The Supreme Court heard arguments on Mar. 31, 2021 as the NCAA March Madness tournament heads into Final Four games just days later on Apr. 3. Respondents were split 50/50 in a June 1, 2021 New York Times survey about whether the NCAA strictly limiting paid compensation is constitutional.

Gabe Feldman, JD, Professor of Sports Law, Director of the Sports Law Program and Associate Provost for NCAA compliance at Tulane University, noted that the last time the NCAA was at the Supreme Court was in 1984 (NCAA vs. the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma). The ruling changed the broadcast regulations for college football. Feldman explained, "That was a shape-shifting decision that in many ways fundamentally changed economics of college football and college football television. And ever since that 1984 decision, courts have been relying on that language to try to interpret antitrust law applies to all NCAA restrictions, including player compensation."

On June 21, 2021, the US Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the NCAA cannot ban certain payments to student athletes under the premise of maintaining amateurism. Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, stated, "traditions alone cannot justify the NCAA's decision to build a massive money-raising enterprise on the backs of student athletes who are not fairly compensated. Nowhere else in America can businesses get away with agreeing not to pay their workers a fair market rate on the theory that their product is defined by not paying their workers a fair market rate. And under ordinary principles of antitrust law, it is not evident why college sports should be any different. The NCAA is not above the law."

On June 28, 2021, the NCAA Division I Council recommended to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors that student athletes be allowed to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Schools would not be allowed to pay students and no one could offer compensation for students to attend a particular school. If adopted, the rule would only apply to Division I schools and would be temporary until the NCAA or Congress acts.

On June 30, 2021, fewer than 12 hours before some states' NIL laws went into effect, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors issued an interim ruling stating that Bylaw 12 (the rules that say athletes cannot receive payment) will not be enforced. Divisions II and III of the NCAA followed suit and the changes went into effect for all three divisions on July 1, 2021.

The University of North Carolina became the first school to organize group licensing deals for student athletes in July 2021. UNC athletes will be able to earn money for NIL marketing including UNC trademarks and logos in groups of three or more athletes. For example, a student athlete will be compensated for the sale of a jersey featuring their name, or for a sponsorship deal in which they appear wearing a UNC jersey. Group licensing deals in theory can allow lesser-known players to reap the benefits of appearing alongside a well-known player.

By Jan. 2022, without a clear NIL structure from the NCAA, some schools were questioning how to navigate deals for players or whole teams without violating NCAA policy.

NCAA president Charlie Baker sent a letter on Dec. 5, 2023, to the 362 Division I member schools calling for reformations including creating a separate division for the top-earning schools that would mimic professional sports and updating NIL regulations so female athletes could better benefit. The rule changes will have to be considered by the NCAA governing boards, a process which could take up to a year.

A 2019 Seton Hall Sports Poll found that 60% of those surveyed agreed that college athletes should be allowed compensation for their name, image, and/or likeness, while 32% disagreed, and 8% were unsure. This was quite a change from polling conducted in 2017, when 60% believed college scholarships were enough compensation for college athletes.

Should Colleges and Universities Pay College Athletes?

Pro 1

The NCAA, colleges, and universities profit unfairly from the work and likenesses of college athletes.

The NCAA reported over $1.06 billion in revenue in 2017 (the most recent available numbers). In 2018, NCAA president Mark Emmert was paid more than $2.7 million. Nine other NCAA executives were paid more than $500,000 in 2018, with one paid more than $1.3 million.

Michael Sokolove, author of The Last Temptation of Rick Pitino (2018), explained, "If you look at a program like [University of] Louisville, ...they generate about $45 million a year in revenue. They give out 13 scholarships. That adds up to about $400,000 a year. The rest of it gets spread out to the coach, who makes $8 million a year, to the assistant coaches, who make as much as a half-million dollars a year. All throughout the athletic department, people are making six-figure salaries. It does not go to the players, what I call the unpaid workforce."

As of Nov. 17, 2020, the University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban was the highest paid NCAA college football coach, making $9.3 million per year. 81 other head football coaches made more than $1 million annually and another 29 more than $500,000.

The highest paid men's basketball coach was the University of Kentucky head coach, John Calipari, who was paid $8.2 million per year. 69 other head men's basketball coaches were paid more than $1 million annually, and another three more than $500,000.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who was forecast to earn about $11 million in 2023, says, "I would take less money for the players to have a share. I hope other coaches would use their voice to express the same thing."

College athletes, arguably the stars of the show who earn millions year after year for the well-paid NCAA executives, coaches, and staff, were forbidden by the NCAA from not only being paid for their work-, but from seeking other related compensation such as endorsement deals. And, as John I. Jenkins and Jack Swarbrick, President and Athletics Director of Notre Dame University argue, "We have been vocal in our conviction that student-athletes should be allowed to... profit from their celebrity - for one simple reason: Other students are allowed to. If a college student is a talented artist or musician no one begrudges him the chance to make money from his skills. And athletes should as far as possible have the opportunities other students enjoy."
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Pro 2

College athletes are risking their bodies as well as their future careers and earning potential to play for colleges and universities while often receiving a sub-par education.

Governor of California Gavin Newsom, stated, "Collegiate student athletes put everything on the line - their physical health, future career prospects and years of their lives to compete. Colleges reap billions from these student athletes' sacrifices and success but, in the same breath, block them from earning a single dollar. That's a bankrupt model."

Zachary Kerr, PhD, Researcher at the University of North Carolina's Center for the Study of Retired Athletes, stated, "I definitely think research indicates strong evidence that injuries during one's sports career can potentially be associated with adverse health outcomes later in life."

In 2017, 67% of former Division I athletes had sustained a major injury and 50% had chronic injuries, 2.5% higher than non-athletes.

Azmatullah Hussaini, MD, President of the New York/New Jersey chapter of the American Muslim Health Professionals, and Jules Lipoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, offered additional context: especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, "[g]iven that athletes are disproportionately Black in the biggest revenue-generating sports - football and basketball - this dynamic also evokes America's horrific history of unpaid slave labor. It's hard to ignore the racist undertones when the financial benefit to these institutions is based on the unpaid work of young Black men."

The NCAA requires players to have health insurance but does not pay for that insurance and can refuse to pay medical expenses for sports injuries, some of which can have life-long consequences for the players' bodies and career opportunities. The NCAA also does not prohibit schools from canceling injured athletes' scholarships, leaving athletes without a sport or education.

Adding insult to sometimes literal injury, college athletes are also frequently denied the NCAA's other form of "compensation": a quality education. As Jon Solomon, Editorial Director for the Sports and Society Program at the Aspen Institute explained, "The most glaring example occurred when the University of North Carolina was found by outside parties to have organized fake classes that enabled dozens of athletes to gain and maintain their eligibility... of the 3,100 students who took the fake classes over 18 years, 47.4 percent were athletes... North Carolina avoided NCAA penalties by essentially arguing that the NCAA should stay out of irregularities in college courses." The NCAA polices athletes' finances but does not ensure a quality education.
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Pro 3

College athletes are often valued at more than $1 million, but they (and their families) frequently live below the poverty line.

A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the top two college football positions-the quarterback and wide receiver-were worth $2.4 million and $1.3 million per year respectively, while starting men's basketball players in the Power Five schools were worth between $800,000 and $1.2 million per year.

If college players earned about 50% of their teams' revenues like the NFL and NBA players do, the average football player's yearly salary would be $360,000 and the average basketball player's yearly salary would be $500,000.

The study found that "[t]he player-level analysis reveals that the existing limits on player compensation effectively transfers resources away from students who are more likely to be black and more likely to come from poor neighborhoods towards students who are more likely to be white and come from higher-income neighborhoods."

College athletes are required to make up the difference between NCAA scholarships and the actual cost of living. Tuition shortfalls amount to thousands of dollars per year and leave about 85% of players to live below the poverty line. For example, fair market value for a University of Texas football player was $513,922. However, players lived $778 below the federal poverty line and owed $3,624 in tuition.

About 25% of Division I athletes reported food poverty in the past year and almost 14% reported being homeless in the past year. Erin McGeoy, a former water polo athlete at George Washington University, explained, "a common occurrence was that we would run out of meal money halfway through the semester and that's when I started to run into troubles of food insecurity." She turned to boarding dogs in her no-dogs-allowed apartment in order to pay rent because housing costs increased each year but her housing allowance remained static.

The NCAA keeps players in poverty and denied them ways to earn money, while making millions on their performance.
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Con 1

Scholarships are fair financial compensation for college athletes, especially considering the precarious finances of athletic departments.

According to the NCAA, the organization provides "more than $3.6 billion in athletic scholarships annually to more than 180,000 student-athletes." Divided equitably, each student would receive about $20,000 per year. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average total cost of public college (tuition, fees, room, and board) for the 2017-18 academic year was $17,797. Considering other scholarships and aid are widely available and not all college athletes require financial aid, the NCAA scholarships are generous.

Further, most college programs do not generate the income needed to run their athletic programs, much less pay athletes. In fiscal year 2019, the collective expenses of the 65 Power Five schools-the largest and richest Division I schools in the NCAA-exceeded revenue by $7 million. Other Division I schools had an almost $23 million collective difference between revenue and expenses. No Division II or III schools' revenue exceeded expenses.

If students were paid, the NCAA argues, many colleges and universities would have to offer fewer scholarships and the remaining scholarships would be distributed unfairly to top football and men's basketball players because those two sports bring in the most revenue. Schools would also have to cut unprofitable sports including gymnastics, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. Discrepancies between men's and women's sports such as the weight room during the 2021 NCAA basketball tournament would only worsen.

Paying players would also limit the literal and figurative playing fields to elite universities with large budgets. As John Thelin, PhD, Research Professor of History of Higher Education & Public Policy at the University of Kentucky, explained, "paying salaries to players will increase [athletic] program expenditures without necessarily increasing revenues... [and] a handful of powerful programs will stand to gain in competition for athletic talent simply because they can afford to pay salaries. Others will mimic as they try to keep up but eventually will fall short in trying to outbid Auburn University, Florida State, the University of Southern California or the University of Texas in the college player arms race."
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Con 2

Very few college athletes will go pro, so athletes should take advantage of the education being offered in exchange for playing a college sport.

The reality is that the vast majority of college athletes will never play professionally. Of the 36,011 college baseball players, only 8,002 are eligible to play professionally each year. 1,217 will be draft picks, but only 791 will be drafted yearly, meaning about 9.9% of college baseball players will go pro, which is the largest likelihood in NCAA sports.

The major money-makers, football and men's basketball, have very low odds. Of the 73,712 NCAA football players, about 16,380 are draft-eligible and 254 will be drafted, meaning about 1.2% of college football players will go pro. Of the 18,816 male basketball players, 4,181 are draft-eligible and 60 will be drafted, but only 52 will go pro, or a 1.2% chance a college basketball player will play professionally. The odds are even lower for women's basketball at 0.6%.

The NCAA noted, "[p]rofessional opportunities are extremely limited and the likelihood of a high school or even college athlete becoming a professional athlete is very low. In contrast, the likelihood of an NCAA athlete earning a college degree is significantly greater; graduation success rates are 86% in Division I, 71% in Division II and 87% in Division III."

In other words, it would be more prudent and more profitable for college athletes to focus on education as their compensation.

Data analyzed from the Department of Labor showed nine out of 10 new jobs were going to employees with college degrees in June 2018. Further, a Gallup poll of "74,385 U.S. adults with a bachelor's degree, finds that college graduates who participated in NCAA athletics experience a host of positive long-term life outcomes at greater rates than non-athletes."

Those positive outcomes include: 70% of NCAA athletes graduated in four years or fewer, 50% agree that college was worth the cost, 39% earned an advanced degree, 33% have "good" jobs after graduation, and 24%
"are thriving at the highest levels," all higher percentages than their non-athlete peers.

Amy Perko, CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, said of the Gallup findings, "It's a positive report for the educational benefits for college sports, and it reinforces the point that we've tried to make over the years. There's an important role for college sports in higher education, and that role needs to be placed in the proper perspective as part of the educational mission, not apart from it."
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Con 3

Paying college athletes would not solve the real problem: the American amateur sports system is broken.

Football and basketball players cannot play professionally immediately after high school. The NBA requires players to be at least 19 and a year out of high school, while the NFL requires players to be three years out of high school. These rules can effectively limit players' options to playing in college or choosing another profession altogether. Most players have no real "amateur" sport option and those who would rather not go to college have no other established feeder system to make it to a professional team.

Further confusing the issue, the NCAA does not have a consistent or fair definition of "amateurism" and allows some significant forms of financial compensation. College athletes are allowed to compete in the Olympic Games and be financially compensated, such as Joseph Schooling, a University of Texas swimmer, who earned a $740,000 bonus for winning Singapore's first gold medal ever at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games for the 100m butterfly. College athletes may also play a second sport professionally and be compensated, such as Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker who earned a $1.4 million baseball signing bonus from the Colorado Rockies in 2010 while still playing football for the Tigers. Tennis players may earn up to $10,000 in prize money yearly while playing college tennis and college football players may earn up to $550 in bowl gifts.

B. David Ridpath, EdD, Associate Professor of Sports Administration at Ohio University, noted, "The only amateur quality about college athletics is that colleges refuse to pay their players." Ridpath explained, "The United States is the only country in the world that has a significant portion of elite athletic development and commercialized sport embedded within its education systems. Consider that ten of the biggest outdoor sports stadiums in the world (excluding auto racing venues) are American college football stadiums. None of the largest ones are NFL stadiums."

To fix the problem, and separate athletes who are getting an education just because they want to play a sport from those who actually want to go to college, the United States needs a true amateur or minor league that feeds into professional sports.
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Discussion Questions
1. Should college athletes be paid? Why or why not?

2. Should the college athletics system be revised in another way to compensate amateur athletes? Explain your answer.

3. How should the NCAA (or another governing body) balance college athletes' sport, educational, and financial interests? Explain your answer(s).

4. Do you think well-established minor-league systems would be attractive to high-school graduates and college athletes less interested in (or ill-prepared for) higher education? Explain your answer(s).
Take Action
1. Consider the pro position of the National College Players Association that paying college athletes is a civil rights issue.

2. Explore the NCAA site and think critically about the organization as the governing body of college athletics.

3. Analyze the argument that paying athletes would "ruin college sports" from Cody J. McDavis, former college basketball player.

4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the "other side of the issue" now helps you better argue your position.

5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives.
Sources

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Should College Athletes Be Paid? Top 3 Pros and Cons

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Proponents say colleges profit unfairly off of the athletes. Opponents say the athletes are paid in tuition. Explore both sides of the debate.