Argument Essay

            Kids should be allowed to not have to stick with extracurricular activities that they have signed up for because being a kid is all about experimenting and trying new things. If your being forced to stick with something that's time being wasted on finding something that you like. The debate article "Should Parents Make Kids Stick With Extracurriculars," by Bruce Feiler and Kj Dell'Antonia give to sides to the argument, one side saying yes, the other saying no. I agree with the Kj's side which states that kids should be allowed to quit extracurriculars.

            One reason why kids shouldn't be forced to stick with extracurriculars is because because they're their own person and they should be allowed to make decisions that affect them. Kj Dell'Antonia says "I can't see any reason to push my kids into anything they don't want to do for themselves.” What Kj is saying is that if your kid doesn’t  feel the need to participate in a certain activity then they shouldn’t be forced to keep on doing it.  Being a kid is about finding out what you like to do and if you’re tied down with one activity then you can’t experiment with other activities. Kj also says that “Parents make so many decisions for their kids just by virtue of who and where they are.” This means that parents help their kids make decisions just by being themselves and living where they live. An example is if you live near mountains with skiing slopes then your child is likely to try skiing. If a parent played baseball as a kid then your child will probably want to try baseball too. Kids are people too, they are capable of making their own decisions. Why not let them?

            Another reason why kids shouldn’t be forced to stick with extracurriculars is because kids should enjoy what they're doing, they shouldn't hate it. Kj says "Hours spent at the piano are hours not spent finding something you love for itself." You only get to be a kid once so you should enjoy it. Who knows, when you grow up you might get a job that you absolutely positively hate. Kj is trying to tell the reader that you should stop being forced to do something and you should go out and find something you like because it's fun or interesting. Kj also says "hours spent arguing about the piano? Just not worth it." What she is telling the reader is that it's not worth the time to argue about something that you just don't like, you should go and find something that is appealing to you. Kids are kids and you only get to be a kid once so make the most out of it.

            Some may argue that the kids have made a commitment by joining an extracurricular and that they should have to stay with it, but they shouldn't be forced to do something that they hate because it's  immoral. Bruce Feiler says that "They've made a commitment to the other players or performers, and they can't bail." However if you really dislike something then you should be allowed to quit. Kj says "I see a cost in not quitting as well." Kids can learn a valuable lesson from quitting to. An example could be if they quit soccer they could miss it and realize that they actually do want to play soccer. You can learn from quitting as well, you learn what you like and what you don't like. It's all like a big experiment. 

            In conclusion kids should not be forced to stick with extracurriculars. They are kids and they are their own person. They should be allowed to make their own decisions. If not then the parent will step in to help. They should experiment and learn what they like.