[jet]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Such as :

Professional boxing.
Professional kickboxing.
Knockdown karate.
Mixed martial arts.
Submission wrestling.

What are your thoughts on them? Are you fan or do you think they should be banned? Would you allow your kids to take any of them up or did/do
you do any yourself?

I think boxing should be banned in particular, it's barbaric. Watching men being punched in the head until they can barely stand isn't 'entertaining' to me, it's barbaric...and all the brain injuries and deaths etc...I don't get why it hasn't been banned long ago.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by jet

I think boxing should be banned in particular, it's barbaric. Watching men being punched in the head until they can barely stand isn't 'entertaining' to me, it's barbaric...and all the brain injuries and deaths etc...I don't get why it hasn't been banned long ago.

But do you not think it should be down to the individuals who participate in these sports to decide? There's risk involved in all sports, American Football infact is one of the worst for concussions and brain damage more so than boxing I believe (but I will try to find something to back that up)

and you can choose to just not watch the sport if you don't like it

[jet]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

But do you not think it should be down to the individuals who participate in these sports to decide? There's risk involved in all sports, American Football infact is one of the worst for concussions and brain damage more so than boxing I believe (but I will try to find something to back that up)

and you can choose to just not watch the sport if you don't like it

I guess it is down to the individual, but I still think it's barbaric and haven't watched a boxing match for years....
In American football the intent isn't to hurt someone until their brain is shaken around in their head so badly they can barely stand up. I think it's the thought of deliberately targeting the head area that I can't stomach. My guideline is 'would I want to see my son being punched in the head or causing hurt deliberately that way and the answer is a big NO'! (He does play football...)
I forbade him to buy a motorbike when he was 17 and thankfully he grew out of wanting one. Maybe I'm an over protective Dad...

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by jet

I guess it is down to the individual, but I still think it's barbaric and haven't watched a boxing match for years....
In American football the intent isn't to hurt someone until their brain is shaken around in their head so badly they can barely stand up. I think it's the thought of deliberately targeting the head area that I can't stomach. My guideline is 'would I want to see my son being punched in the head or causing hurt deliberately that way and the answer is a big NO'! (He does play football...)
I forbade him to buy a motorbike when he was 17 and thankfully he grew out of wanting one. Maybe I'm an over protective Dad...

I have forbidden both my son and my husband from getting motorbikes

I get what you mean about intent and I understand why you wouldn't watch these sports because of that but it still doesn't take away from the fact that more head injuries occur in Football and Cycling than in these sports

[jet]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I have forbidden both my son and my husband from getting motorbikes

I get what you mean about intent and I understand why you wouldn't watch these sports because of that but it still doesn't take away from the fact that more head injuries occur in Football and Cycling than in these sports

I haven't personally witnessed this. Fingers crossed. My son has been playing football for years and my sisters son plays American football and neither of them has ever had a head injury, and I've never heard of any of their teams with one either.
But now I'm going to think about it and worry like the worrywart that I am. Thanks Niamh

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by jet

I haven't personally witnessed this. Fingers crossed. My son has been playing football for years and my sisters son plays American football and neither of them has ever had a head injury, and I've never heard of any of their teams with one either.
But now I'm going to think about it and worry like the worrywart that I am. Thanks Niamh

haha sorry

You should watch the film "concussion"

[MTVN]

Quite like boxing but only ever watch big fights, I don't follow it seriously. Never watch any other combat sports. I don't have a problem with them and boxing clubs often seem do a lot of good in more deprived communities. I would worry about the risk of head/brain injuries though if anyone I knew took part in the sport in a serious way.

It's true that American Football carries a big risk of it as well though, it's only in the last few years that the NFL has really taken big steps to try an protect players.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by jet

I think boxing should be banned in particular, it's barbaric. Watching men being punched in the head until they can barely stand isn't 'entertaining' to me, it's barbaric...and all the brain injuries and deaths etc...I don't get why it hasn't been banned long ago.

It's about informed consent, though, I don't think anyone at this point getting involved in boxing is unaware of these risks... and the risk is only to themselves (and those they are fighting, who also know the same). I guess I'd compare it to choosing to ride a motorbike? That's also very risky compared to driving a car, but that doesn't mean it should be banned... people choosing it are aware of the risks.