Body Complaints in Children from 8 to 15 Years of Age

Abstract

During their years at school, children are subjected to a great many tests of achievement, be these in the form of school tests, examinations, intelligence tests or other methods developed by psychologists and educationalists. The latter are especially concerned to find out how school subjects can be made more attractive, how the children’s motivation can be increased, and endless discussions are in progress about what belongs in the curriculum and what not. Although it is surely fair to say that many teachers and educators have taken it into their heads to do something educationally useful for their pupils’ bodies as well, it is equally true that ‘the sort of education which took the body seriously missed its target, because in striving for perfection it lost sight of its object’ (Wünsche 1982). The overemphasis on teaching cultural skills in schools these days — this applies especially, but by no means only, to schools in the Federal Republic of Germany — has often been criticized and there has been no lack of calls for giving more room to social and emotional aspects in education. Nevertheless, the school situation today is largely hostile to the body. Subjects like music have been pushed into the background: they are the first hit when timetables are reduced, as in West Germany in recent years, to save employing more teachers. At school, the children’s bodies play only a marginal role; they are expected to sit still, behave in a disciplined manner and not to disturb the brain at its work. Admittedly, there are subjects known as physical education and sports, which are intended to keep the body fit.