Will debate make my child more argumentative at home?

This is one of the most common worries we hear from parents, and it is reasonable. Debate teaches students to build an argument and pick apart someone else's. Early on, some students use that on bedtime and screen time.

What debate actually trains, though, is structured disagreement. In a round, a student has to:

• Listen closely to the other side, because they must respond to what was actually said.
• Argue both sides. Debaters are often assigned a side, so they learn to see merit in positions they disagree with.
• Use reasons and evidence. Volume, interruption and repetition lose rounds.
• Stay civil. Judges mark down rudeness and personal attacks.

Those habits tend to carry into how students handle disagreement with friends, teachers and family, once the novelty wears off.

Handling the argumentative phase

• Name the setting. "That is a great argument for a round. At home, some things are not up for debate." Students understand context.
• Ask for the other side. When they argue for more screen time, ask them to make your case too. It usually softens things.
• Give them a real outlet. A weekly dinner debate on a fun topic channels the energy.

For a full picture of what debate involves, see our guide to debate for students.