Controversial Statements

Here are some great controversial statements to get the conversation going. Use them in various ways. Give one or a few to students for pair/group discussion. Or casually toss one of these statements yourself into the conversation at an appropriate moment. Or organize a debate.

• A woman's place is in the home.
• Fare-dodging on a train or bus is ok if you can get away with it.
• Boys and girls should not have equal education.
• A foreign language cannot be taught. It must be learned.
• A country gets the government it deserves.
• A man should have a wife for the family and a mistress for pleasure.
• All property should be owned by the state.
• Murderers should be executed.
• Soft drugs like marijuana should be legalized.
• Beauty is only a matter of taste.
• Riches are for spending.
• We are all basically selfish.
• Punishment never has any good effect.
• Those who can do, those who can't teach.
• You will be happier if you stay unmarried.
• People work better if they are paid more.
• Committing suicide should be made legal.
• Royalty and democracy are incompatible.