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Some people think that dangerous extreme sports, such as skydiving and rock climbing, should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Debate Transcript : Should Dangerous Extreme Sports Be Banned?
Sarah:
You know, I was reading an article about a skydiving accident yesterday, and it just made me think: should we really allow these incredibly dangerous sports? I mean, for the safety of people, maybe they should be banned.
Tom:
Banned? Sarah, that’s a bit extreme, isn’t it? People know the risks when they sign up for skydiving or rock climbing. It’s about personal choice and freedom. Plus, these sports are often highly regulated, with lots of safety protocols in place.
Sarah:
But accidents still happen, Tom. And it’s not just the individual; think about the emergency services, the potential cost to healthcare if someone is seriously injured. It puts a burden on society.
Tom:
I see your point about the societal cost, but for many, these activities are essential for mental well-being. They offer a unique thrill, a way to push limits, and build confidence. It’s an important part of their life. Taking that away would be unfair. Besides, isn’t life inherently risky? We don’t ban driving cars, even though there are accidents.
Sarah:
True, but the level of inherent danger is vastly different. And honestly, some people might be pushed into these things by peer pressure or not fully grasp the severity of the risk. Maybe some form of stricter regulation or age limits could be better than an outright ban, but I still lean towards a ban for the most perilous activities.
Tom:
I disagree. Education and proper training are the key, not prohibition. If we start banning everything dangerous, where does it end? Life involves calculated risks. It’s about empowering individuals to make informed decisions, not restricting their freedom.
Model Essay 1: Balanced / Partial Disagree
It is often suggested that high-risk sports such as skydiving and rock climbing are too perilous and ought to be prohibited by law in order to prevent unnecessary loss of life. While I acknowledge that these activities carry significant safety risks for participants, I believe that strict regulation is a far more appropriate response than an outright ban.
Admittedly, there are valid concerns regarding the physical dangers involved and the resulting cost to society. When a serious accident occurs in a remote location, it often necessitates a taxpayer-funded rescue operation involving helicopters and specialised medical teams. Critics argue that it is unreasonable for the public to bear the financial burden of an individual’s decision to engage in a high-risk, adrenaline-seeking activity. From this perspective, a ban is viewed as a practical means of protecting both individuals from extreme danger and public healthcare systems from avoidable strain.
However, I would argue that prohibiting these sports overlooks the substantial psychological benefits they can provide. For many enthusiasts, pushing personal limits in a high-stakes environment helps to develop mental resilience, discipline, and a sense of achievement that traditional sports may not offer. Rather than imposing a total ban, governments could introduce mandatory high-risk insurance and stricter licensing requirements for instructors. Such measures would ensure that the financial costs of emergency rescues are borne by participants themselves, while maintaining high professional safety standards. By combining personal accountability with regulation, it is possible to protect public resources without unnecessarily restricting individual freedom.
To conclude, although the hazards associated with extreme sports are genuine, they do not justify total prohibition. I believe that through a combination of education, insurance, and personal responsibility, individuals should be permitted to pursue these activities safely rather than being restricted by the state.
Model Essay 2: Complete Disagree
Some people argue that high-risk activities like skydiving and rock climbing are so dangerous that they should be banned entirely to protect participants and society. I strongly disagree with this view. While extreme sports carry inherent risks, the benefits they provide, combined with effective regulation, make a total ban unnecessary.
A complete prohibition would unjustly restrict personal freedom. Individuals have the right to make informed decisions about how they spend their leisure time, even if these choices involve risk. Extreme sports participants are usually fully aware of the dangers and voluntarily accept them. To single out these activities for a ban while allowing other risky behaviors, such as motor racing, mountain hiking, or skiing, would be inconsistent and unfair. Furthermore, banning extreme sports could create a slippery slope, suggesting that the government can restrict any activity simply because it carries a potential risk, which would undermine personal autonomy in many aspects of daily life.
Extreme sports also offer substantial psychological and mental benefits that cannot be replicated by conventional activities. Participants develop resilience, discipline, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement by challenging their limits. In addition, the sustained focus, strategic decision-making, and problem-solving required in these sports can improve mental alertness and the ability to perform under pressure. Rather than banning these sports, governments can implement strict safety regulations, mandatory training, licensing requirements for instructors, and insurance policies. Such measures minimise risk, protect public resources, and allow individuals to continue participating safely, while still enjoying the unique rewards these high-adrenaline activities provide.
In conclusion, while dangerous extreme sports involve real risks, banning them entirely would be unnecessary and disproportionate. Personal freedom means that individuals should not be prohibited from choosing to participate in extreme sports, while effective regulation and education make a total ban unnecessary. Therefore, I strongly reject the idea of a total ban.
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