Quoted from MikeS:I'd let my son play a dangerous sport like football or hockey before I'd let him drink a Monster energy drink or eat MacDonalds on a daily basis.
If that was the actual choice, I would agree. It's not though.
Anything can hurt you, true--lots of great examples of things that can hurt you listed in the thread--completely unrelated non-sequiturs . Full contact football is engineered to do it. That's the big difference.
People don't like change. It's human nature. Science progresses which encourages change. I guess that's why people rage against science even when the effects are slapping them in the face, whether it be brain damage or more intense changes in the climate.
You are not a monster but your kids is putting his well being later in life at risk. I wouldn't roll the dice on that. A crash on a motorcycle or skateboard or skiing or whatever is a freak accident and a risk. Getting smashed repeatedly with the bigger and stronger and heavier players these days creates a known outcome.
Let's not kid ourselves about the good 'ol days or when I was a kid arguments...they are ridiculous. Not to mention the "manly" arguments. We all know you guys are tough and loaded with testosterone, no need to prove it with your kids brains.