Why do we teach gymnastics? / by Jakob Bolin.

  • Bolin, Jakob, 1863-1914.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Why do we teach gymnastics? / by Jakob Bolin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    % daar « Copcad H-0k 9. Gymnastics One individual takes gymnastics for his health; an- other to overcome his awkwardness; a third for the pleasure that he derives from bodily activity; a fourth to get an opportunity to show his ability and to be admired by others. Each has a mere personal object in view, We may endeavor to fill the varying wants of differ- ent individuals, and thus address ourselves to one class of clients or another. But that is essentially a com- mercial question. The one has something to sell which the other wants to buy. This narrow, personal, or commercial aspect can, however, be allowed only a very small place in the thoughts of those who seriously advocate gymnastics. They do not concern themselves with individual de- sires, but claim that gymnastics is imperatively needed for the race. They wish the community, the State, the Nation, to step in to furnish gymnastics to all its citi- zens, claiming that thereby the purpose of the State may be better realized. Supplying the means of happi- ness to one individual here, to another there, is properly the function of private initiative. The State has nothing to do with it. She should not do anything for my bene- fit, or your benefit, except so far as it redounds to her own benefit. All that does not so redound lies outside of her functions. You may send your boy to school in order thereby to assure him a greater amount of .
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