Motion 1: This House Would require the media to display, promote and report
women’s sport equally to men’s sport
Some background information
The media covers men’s sport more than women’s sport, with the back pages of newspapers
dominated by the men’s Premier League, the men’s England football team and the men’s cricket
team. Sometimes, women are covered more equally, such as during the Olympics. Some, but
not all, men’s sports get larger crowds than women’s sports. This is sometimes attributed to the
sports themselves being different, with varying lengths, rules and differences in play.
People have concerns with government regulation of the media and what they are allowed to
show. Leaving it up to the market to decide what the media reports prevents politicising and
skewing the content. But do people know best?
There are clearly many differences in sports coverage, and these seem perhaps unfair. Do you
think this justifies the current difference in media coverage, or should more be done to promote
women’s sport?
Key facts
- There are 2 million fewer women than men who regularly play sport in the UK
- Since 2007 the men’s and women’s winners of Wimbledon have received the same prize
money. In comparison, top men’s footballers get millions more per year than the top women.
- The most viewed sports news stories are mainly about men’s sports, people don’t buy or click
on women’s sports stories nearly as much.
Activities for the class or club
Ask the class to identify the following sports stars, giving them just the description below.
(Answers in brackets)
Argentinian football player, has won a record 4 Ballon D’Or (awarded to the best player in the
world) (Lionel Messi)
American tennis player, has won the most Grand Slam tournaments of any player in history
(Serena Williams)
English football player, has played for England more times than anyone else (Fara Williams)
English men’s team, have won the most Premier League titles (Manchester United)
English women’s football team, have won the most Premier League titles (Arsenal)
English football team, men’s captain (Wayne Rooney)
English football team, women’s captain, and also captains Manchester City (Steph Houghton)
English cricket player, holds the record for the most one-day international runs (Charlotte
Edwards)
See if there is a disparity between how well recognised men’s and women’s sports stars are.
2. Ask the students to fill in the following table. The students should write in the relevant box
“In the last week”, “In the last month”, “In the last year” or “never”.
Seen them in the news Watched them play a
match
Seen them in an
advert
Wayne Rooney Steph Houghton
Serena Williams
Novak Djokovic
Alastair Cook
Charlotte Edwards
3. Eight out of the top ten best paid women’s sports stars are tennis players. As a class, discuss
whether you think the equal pay in men’s and women’s tennis at Grand Slams is a major cause
of this. Does it create more interest in the sport? Why or why not?
Questions for students to ask themselves
Does the media just report what people are interested in? Or does it create interest in the
things it reports?
What sorts of women’s sport would the media choose to cover? How would they try to present
it?
Would there be more investment in women’s sport if it was covered more? How might women’s
sport change as a result?
Some further resources
https://www.sportengland.org/our-work/women/this-girl-can/
https://www.forbes.com/athletes/list/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/30326825
Motion 2: This House Believes that celebrities should receive harsher
punishments for their crimes than ordinary people
Some background information
Celebrities’ popularity and high profile often help them to gain fame, wealth and career success.
Some people who admire celebrities and their work look to imitate them and take inspiration.
While this can be a force for good it can also raise concerns if celebrities misbehave or break the
law. When celebrities commit a crime, it usually attracts a lot of publicity. What sort of message
might this send out to their fans?
On the other hand, celebrities are people too. Many of them don’t seek out fame and publicity
and try to keep their personal lives private. Is it really fair to treat them so differently just
because they’re famous?
Do you think this makes them different enough to give them harsher punishments?
Key facts
- In 2015 David Beckham and Simon Cowell were more recognisable to 6-10 year olds than the
British Prime Minister
- Many young people today spend more time engaging with various form of media than they do
talking to their parents or carers.
Activities for the class or club
1. Introduce the students to the idea of aggravating factors and mitigating factors. When
sentencing for a crime, an “aggravating” factor is one that makes the offence worse, and so
deserving of a higher sentence. A “mitigating” factor is one that makes the offence less bad, and
so deserving of a lesser sentence.
2. Ask the students to categorise the following factors, and say whether they are “aggravating”,
“mitigating”, or “No Effect”
Factor Aggravating / Mitigating / No Effect
a. Deliberately targeting vulnerable people
b. Someone only did the offence because they were drunk or had taken drugs
c. Being provoked
d. Saying sorry to the victim
e. Having previously done the same crime
f. Admitting that you did the crime to the police
g. Committing the crime against a public servant (e.g. a police officer)
h. Being young
3. Do the “aggravating” factors have anything in common? One possible answer is that they mean
the offence causes more harm. Guide the students in discussion towards that idea. How does that
fit in with ideas of celebrities committing crimes (i.e. do they cause more harm?)
4. Do the “mitigating” factors have anything in common? One possible answer is that they mean
the offender is less culpable or blameworthy. Guide the students towards that idea. How does that
fit in with the idea of celebrities committing crimes (i.e. are celebrities more or less culpable?)
Questions for students to ask themselves
What makes a celebrity different from an ordinary person?
What is the aim of harsher punishments for celebrities? Will it better deter other people from
committing crimes?
Do celebrities choose to be famous?
Some further resources
http://heavy.com/music/2017/02/justin-bieber-arrests-criminal-history-memorable/
https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/justin-bieber
http://www.rootsofaction.com/what-is-a-role-model-five-qualities-that-matter-for-role-models/
Motion 3: This House Would cease all funding for space exploration
Some background information
Governments around the world currently spend some of their budget on exploring space,
including sending probes to other planets and sending satellites further into space. There are
even more ambitious targets, like taking a manned mission to Mars. For many the sense of
curiosity and discovery is one of the things that makes humans special. Why wouldn’t we strive
to know more about our universe?
Some scientific progress has come about as a result, like creating new technologies and learning
more about the universe. However, the programs are expensive and use up funds that could be
used in advancing other social goals. There are also potentially dangers attached to exploring at
the edges of our scientific capabilities and knowledge.
Should we continue to explore the ‘final frontier’? Or do you think the money should be spent
elsewhere?
Key facts
- The US’ NASA has an annual budget of around $19Bn, slightly less than America’s annual
foreign aid budget.
- The UK Space Agency has a budget of several hundred millions of pounds.
- Many space projects are now being funded by a mixture of public funds and private
companies.
Activities for the class or club
1. Ask the class to rank the following things the Government spends money, from “Should
receive the most money” to “Should receive the least money”:
Culture (like subsidising art, museums, sports etc.)
Healthcare
Defence (the army, navy and air force)
Welfare (housing, disability benefits, jobseeker’s allowance)
Education
Police
Pensions
Transport
Scientific Research
International Aid
Where does space exploration fit on the list of priorities?
2. Imagine you were given £100m to spend on the following goals. How would you divide up the
money? Why?
Improving the NHS
Tackling climate change
Investing in better schools
Funding an amazing new TV show featuring stories focusing on minorities
Tackling poverty around the world
Investing in better transport links
Researching cures for common diseases (heart disease, cancer etc.)
Space exploration
Questions for students to ask themselves
Is it right to continue to explore space when there exists so much human suffering on Earth?
Without space exploration, would there still be a drive to do the kind of scientific research that
creates new and useful technologies?
Is the knowledge about space we gain valuable in its own right, or vital for the future of
humans?
Some further resources
https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/whyweexplore/why_we_explore_main.html
https://www.wired.com/2016/02/space-is-cold-vast-and-deadly-humans-will-explore-it-anyway/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csO9VTtrg5A
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zctgq6f
http://www.space.com/34365-mars-missions-by-nasa-spacex-and-more.html