Vivienne Nathanson , The BMA states that it is morally unacceptable in our society to promote a sport which aims to inflict brain damage on an opponent, especially in regards to children. However both the Police community clubs and the Amateur boxing Association run youth programmes to promote social inclusion in deprived areas. Isn’t it better for kids to be channelling their energies into boxing and get a few cuts and scrapes rather than being prey to the gun culture and violence so often reported in some poorer areas of the UK?
Asked by shakeel8 on Nov 14 2007 10:24:22 AM and supported by 32 members
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Children’s boxing is sometimes defended on the grounds that they learn to work through their aggression with discipline. The BMA believes there are many other sports, including athletics, swimming, judo and football, which require discipline but do not pose the same threat of brain injury.
While young boxers do not have as powerful a punch as mature boxers, some studies have found that young boxers exhibit early evidence of brain damage. This danger was highlighted in 1987 by the death of 15-year-old amateur boxer Joseph Strickland, due to acute brain injury.
The BMA believes that the government should give more consideration to the provision of alternative leisure facilities for the young, particularly in deprived areas.