Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton

A while back Bill Clinton said on national television: “it all depends on what your definition of is, is.” Fast forward to 2014 and I am now hearing “It all depends on what your definition of fun is.” A simple definition of fun is enjoyment or pleasure. Jeez, just about every kid in America knows what is fun and how to have fun. But what is behind this desire to redefine a word that most everyone uses on a weekly basis to describe an enjoyable activity?

The last two times I heard people question what the word fun means, they were both making money off of families by providing a service for children that was adult orientated. One was to get kids to go to a personal trainer, and the other was to promote a program that stresses structure. They wanted children to redefine fun so that they could provide a new service that describes fun as a goal orientated adult supervised activity.

 They now say because a child is doing an activity year round and they enjoy doing it, the fun they are having can have side effects that include, overuse injuries, fatigue, frustration, rehabilitation, and of course and end game financial result.

 In the never ending “ I must keep up with the other guy or fall behind” ( in a race that does not exist) people are being led down a path in youth and high school sports that is not supported by science, psychology, or data. The idea that you must play a sport year round to get good at it, must involve some kind of sacrifice, therefore to justify that new mantra fun must be redefined to fit that criteria.

 Fun has been and always will be to me, something that brings a smile to my face and fond memories later when recalled. When I watch children free play on a playground or just horsing around with their friends in a pickup game, I am struck by how free they are in their play. Without a coach or parent yelling at them they are having a great time.

 Children learn to share, they enjoy being active, and they learn and grow all on their own. They are having fun. The joy of having fun puts them in a place where they are free to try new things and not have to worry about getting yelled at if they fail or make a mistake. Just play on.

 There is no control and therefore a need for self importance by adults in what is supposed to be learning and growing experience of joy and pleasure for children.  Having fun and playing is an integral part of being a child. When you take it away, or try to redefine it for personal gain, there are consequences and we see these consequences every day a Frozen Shorts.

Maybe that is the real reason behind the desire to redefine a word that children and adults know so well. As an adult, if I dictate what fun is, I can then justify the control and entitlement issues without feeling guilty.