Debate Team - High School Style
One of the components in applying to a good college is to have a list of activities your teen has participated in throughout his educational career. While community work, member of the school newspaper, class president, earning advanced credits are necessary, the debate team is also part and parcel of the resume a teen will eventually have to produce to college admission officers.The qualities needed to participate on a debate team require hard work, research, understanding of the subject matter, and ability to project your voice with authority and honesty, and conviction.
Even today, the republican and democratic nominees for President are participating in live debates. Any teen watching these debates may feel that they too have the components necessary to participate in their school’s debate team. An interesting analogy is when a teen is passionate about a particular subject, and most teens are,
they can certainly make a case with a parent, for example.
If that energy and definitive stance can be used by teens on their school’s debate team, it would certainly be something to see. One of the precursors in debating is that if a teen is shy, chances are he or she won’t be heard or understood and probably won’t make the team. However, if you take that same teen and have a discussion at home in which you know he or she is adamant about a particular subject - it can be used to encourage your teen to try out for the debate team.
After school activities of this genre can elevate a teen’s self-esteem and advance his knowledge on any subject. Debating is a good thing; it’s the freedom of expression and the ability to voice an opinion one feels strongly about, no matter what the subject matter.
Additional Resources
Resources to help cope with your child’s school anxiety
This article discusses how to help your teen prepare for the SAT.
Find more detailed advice, solutions, and hands on examples on these or other topics in Christina Botto’s no nonsense, “how-to” Parenting guide “Help Me With My Teenager!” A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents that Works.”
