Why promote violence?

In Ted Miller's article ("Girls take barriers to the mat," Feb. 18), he points to wrestling as a means to a time when "performance will be the only thing that matters." In general, not a bad goal.

But at what price? Do the genders have to take part in a violent contact sports to achieve that? Admittedly, wrestling is probably the most civilized of the violent contact sports. However, the competitors, to earn points, apply holds that can and do inflict pain and suffering upon their opponent. The winner is said to win by dominating the loser.

Daily, our papers are full of articles about the scourge of violence that occurs between the genders with people being beaten, even killed -- males as well as females. The issue is not about equal access or treatment in sports. It's a societal issue. With the violence between the genders in our culture already, do we really want to promote events in which violence between the genders not only is condoned but even encouraged?

I say no. Let the boys wrestle each other and girls wrestle each other and the genders learn to respect each other non-violently.

-- Wayne Hagan, Kent