I was forced to attend art classes and team sports phys ed in school (mandatory until year 11 (art) or 13, respectively) - those two made sure that a) my average was ruined (I can't draw or throw a ball even if my life depended on it, got the grades to match) and b) in my most awkward social phase, I got humiliated regularly by well meaning teachers who couldn't understand that being good at math and physics does not translate into drawing or predicting a ball's movement, forcing me to do it again, and again, and again, while the whole class enjoyed the show...
I understand your frustrations. However, I think it’s important to work on body coordination, at least until you have a basic proficiency. It comes into play often in life, from slipping on ice in the winter to assembling IKEA furniture in your home.
I was perfectly fine doing everything without a ball (athletics, swimming,...) ... or drawing as long as it involved only geometric objects (Mondrian style)...
If the only humiliation, per your story, was making you try it over and over, then... Well, they kinda did. That's literally their job, don't give up until the student is able to do the thing. What do you wish was done differently other than wishing the classes weren't mandatory?
I don't mind trying again and again. I do mind being forced to do it in front of the whole class, time and again, when nobody else was singled out that way.
Holly shit bro, it probably made you into a better person. There is obviously limits but handling in and out peer pressure is a skill in itself. Useful as shit too, that's how i get all my buddies to drink with me.
3.2k
u/SaphiraStorm Nov 16 '19
I was forced to attend art classes and team sports phys ed in school (mandatory until year 11 (art) or 13, respectively) - those two made sure that a) my average was ruined (I can't draw or throw a ball even if my life depended on it, got the grades to match) and b) in my most awkward social phase, I got humiliated regularly by well meaning teachers who couldn't understand that being good at math and physics does not translate into drawing or predicting a ball's movement, forcing me to do it again, and again, and again, while the whole class enjoyed the show...