I was asked recently if I have ever been in a club or on a sports team. Presumably they meant in high school or college, since it should be obvious to current friends that the only thing I might be good at is competitive reading. I actually did try to join the cross country team in my freshman year. Got shin splints, but did enjoy the running for quite a while in my youth. The main problem with this or any club was that I lived so far away from my high school, and both my parents worked. There was no public transportation, so I either ride the schoolbus at its designated time or my parents could maybe pick me up after their work, like say, when dark fell. It just didn't work out. For a while, I resented that I couldn't do those things. In my senior year, I tried to start a science club. That would have been pretty cool, but, like most clubs, it required that someone do a hell of a lot of legwork to make it happen. I was clueless and had no help, so it fizzled. It didn't help that I still wasn't driving even though I was 17. This time, I only had myself to blame. I think I was a lot easier on myself than on my parents!
Now days, with a daughter of my own, I rethink the necessity of clubs, sports and other organized activities. If you are (or have) a child that enjoys doing something, great, you should make time for it, even sacrifice some. BUT, if you don't enjoy something, there doesn't need to be some social stigma against you. You shouldn't have to part of an organized anything to show that you are a 'good person', as in the requirements of most colleges for extra-curricular activities. What is wrong with hanging out with friends, having a garage band, or hell, being a loner? I was more of a loner, which probably explains the olympic-level reading I was doing. If you're a hiker, why do you have to join a society and be a card-carrying member to prove it? And why should it matter if you do? Or don't? Why the hell is it anyone's business but your own?! I guess I resent the intrusion of the question.
6 hours ago
