So my girl is a cheerleader and I just completed the 10-page release packet for the Athletic Department so that she can participate next year. This packet is a GIANT DEAL. She had to get a physical from her doctor as part of the clearance. When I asked the nurse to fill out the school's medical exam form, she insisted that they had their own and that it would have to be enough. When I pressed her, she explained it was a liability issue and she wouldn't do it. When I turned the forms in to be 'certified', the very nice lady who was helping me fretted that my doctor's form did not have the proper languaging. Ultimately I convinced her the language was similar legally, and that the school should be covered from lawsuits in the case of injury. Because of course that's all this is about - lawsuits.
So much of how our society functions is premised upon lawsuits. Someone got hurt, someone sued and won, so now we have to limit and restrict EVERYTHING to make sure no one gets hurt and if they do, that they can't sue. It touches so many aspects of our lives I don't think we even think about it anymore. And I'm personally really sick of it.
Years ago Geoffrey and I were in Rangiroa Tahiti, scuba diving. The french dive master separated us out from all the other divers, who were from all over the world. They would only let us go to 90 feet even though we had Deep Diver Certification and over 300 dives each at that point. When we pressed them why they were holding us to this ridiculous restriction, the dive master answered with two words: "Americans sue."
What has happened to personal responsibility? Personal discernment and accountability? If my daughter wants to be a cheerleader, wouldn't it be prudent of me to look at all the benefits and potential risks to her choice? If she falls out of a stunt and hurts herself, that's a risk we were willing to take for her to have all the benefits of that activity. It certainly would not be the school's 'fault' nor would I have an innate right to sue them for compensation for my choice. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS.
If I fall in the supermarket, isn't that on me? Isn't that part of my own personal responsibility to be present, aware of my surroundings, noticing any danger and avoiding it? Why would that become the supermarket's responsibility? What if I fall in the middle of the desert? Does it become my responsibility then because no one owns the land where I fell?
And what about personal agreements? We used to have those: "I'll look out for and do right by you and you do the same for me, ok?" Now we live with the energy of "I will film you when you interact with me so that if you do anything 'wrong' to me, I have proof to sue you." Many doctors no longer allow live births to be filmed for this reason. What a sad loss. Accidents are no longer accepted; we no longer are allowed to make mistakes. If we make a mistake, we will have to pay for it. No wonder there is so much self-loathing in this country!
When I was in Jordan two years ago, our guide was telling us about the tribal system that is still in place there. He mentioned American lawsuits, how puzzling this was to him. I asked what happens in the case of a car accident. He replied that the two families involved get together over coffee, discuss what happened - which is mostly straightforward and clear because it is in their culture to take personal responsibility - and they come up with a fair solution. When I asked what a fair solution might look like, he answered "They might apologize and shake hands."
Indeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment