Some people think government should ban dangerous sports, such as skydiving and rock climbing. Do you agree or disagree?
ESSAY #351 FROM OUR BOOK
It is believed by some that extreme sports should be prohibited. While sports such as bungee jumping, rock climbing and skydiving can be risky, I do not support a ban on these sports
Admittedly, extreme sports can be highly risky and sometimes fatal. Firstly, people may not be aware of the risks involved and do such sports without preparation. For example, while performing bungee jumping, cases of back injuries, rope-burns and even retinal detachment have been reported. More than that, if the participants become disabled, their whole families suffer with them. Therefore, government should ban citizens from taking risks endangering themselves, whether deliberately or unintentionally.
However, banning such sports is not the answer. To begin with, participation in these sports should be a matter of personal choice. People should have the freedom to pursue the challenges which they set themselves, even though this may involve a level of risk that others might find unacceptable. A further point is that in statistical terms there is a low probability of injury in many so-called dangerous sports, and people are at greater risk carrying out everyday activities such as crossing the road or cooking a meal.
Another argument against banning is that then people would play these sports in hiding, and then they would be even more risky. After all it is well known that forbidden fruits taste sweeter. Finally, those sportsmen who excel in such sports bring name and fame to their country. They break records set by others, and when they do so, the name of their country shines in the whole world. Instead of banning, the government should ensure that the companies or centres, which provide the facilities for such sports should meet the required, legal safety standards.
To sum up, although I acknowledge the hazards associated with dangerous sports, laying a blanket prohibition on such sports is not the answer.
