It is a fair question and it is one every parent should have with his or her child. We warn them of the dangers in water sports and we protect them when we can. They cannot enjoy life and have opportunities if we "bubble wrap" them and keep them home. I applaud any parent who discourages playing football and support those who approve of it. The choice should be made at home, not by social coercion or government, like most things.
100% agree.
I think both viewpoints can be dangerous - (A) end football because it is barbaric and people can die, or (B) who cares? It's football. Of course it's dangerous!
The research seems to be coming to the conclusion that playing football isn't a risk - brain injury is a certainty if you play enough. For some, it's worth the risk - they make a lot of money, and some positions don't get hit as much. But for the 6 year old who doesn't understand the risks, I certainly understand the need to educate parents on the topic.
I love football. I don't think we need to end football. But, we do need to be educated about it - that's not a bad thing. "Is football worth it?" Yes. Just like other things that can be deadly and certainly cause damage - drinking alcohol, eating brownies, watching TV instead of exercising, etc. I think a much more relevant question should be "Is drinking beer worth it?" I think at least 90% of the respondents would say, "of course," despite the fact alcohol kills millions more than football. It's just that the health risks of football are relatively new on the block. And we need to be aware of the risks.
