Young Americans geographically challenged

Quicksilver · #1 05-02-2006, 05:16 PM

This is a shame but true. And it's only the tip of the iceberg.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...phy-poll_x.htm

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Wagner · #2 05-02-2006, 05:45 PM

To me, stupid parents have stupid children. If you're 18 years old and not inquisitive enough to look at a map when your country is at war, that leaves only you and your parents to blame...no one else IMO.

Quicksilver · #3 05-02-2006, 05:57 PM

That is true but it's not the end of the story. There are other factors as well. This is also part of the issue.http://www.reason.com/hod/js011306.shtml

I hate to hack my own thread but Wagner check this out. http://www.xoutpost.com/lounge/14739-...t-towed-4.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

To me, stupid parents have stupid children. If you're 18 years old and not inquisitive enough to look at a map when your country is at war, that leaves only you and your parents to blame...no one else IMO.

rayxi · #4 05-02-2006, 06:14 PM

They only interviewed 510 people. Not a statistically significant number IMO. There's no mention of demographics either other than the age range. Having said that, I don't doubt that there's a problem.

The schools aren't entirely to blame. I think a kid's home life plays a bigger role. I recall a study done on the Vietnamese "boat" people. Even though they were severely disadvantaged socially and economically their kids did better than average in school. The study attributed it to the culture at home. It's not like these kids went to better schools.

Wagner · #5 05-02-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

That is true but it's not the end of the story. There are other factors as well. This is also part of the issue.http://www.reason.com/hod/js011306.shtml

My father has worked in the public school system (both as a teacher, administrator and chair) for over 35 years and he will tell you emphatically the caliber of parent has degraded faster then the school system. The other day he actually had a guy who owned a performance shop offer to upgrade his Mustang if he would raise the guys kids grade from an E to a C. That is the type of parent they deal with. Not to mention a child, in front of their parent at a conference, actually said "see what an asshole this guy is" in reference to my Dad. I personally am tired of hearing how everyone but the individual let themselves down.

Quote:

I hate to hack my own thread but Wagner check this out. http://www.xoutpost.com/lounge/14739-...t-towed-4.html

I saw that and I still doubt it (not like my opinion means much). Looks like he saw an X on the side of a road and took a pic

DINANM3 · #6 05-02-2006, 06:42 PM

This is very sad. These kids now really just dont know anything. They and there parents just dont care. Very sad. I was fortunate enough to have parents that were on me everyday about school and sacraficed to send me to the best schools they could find, and i am very lucky and grateful to the for that.

Eric5273 · #7 05-02-2006, 06:48 PM

Blaming education problems on parenting and other factors outside of the schools allows politicians to throw their hands up in the air and say that there is nothing they can do to improve things.

Quicksilver · #8 05-02-2006, 07:11 PM

I agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

My father has worked in the public school system (both as a teacher, administrator and chair) for over 35 years and he will tell you emphatically the caliber of parent has degraded faster then the school system. The other day he actually had a guy who owned a performance shop offer to upgrade his Mustang if he would raise the guys kids grade from an E to a C. That is the type of parent they deal with. Not to mention a child, in front of their parent at a conference, actually said "see what an asshole this guy is" in reference to my Dad. I personally am tired of hearing how everyone but the individual let themselves down.

I saw that and I still doubt it (not like my opinion means much). Looks like he saw an X on the side of a road and took a pic

Wagner · #9 05-02-2006, 07:12 PM

Quicksilver, you're one of the few that realized that society loves to spin issues that are pretty easy to figure out.

Quicksilver · #10 05-02-2006, 07:41 PM

Others ought to get it also. Especially when those who are doing the spin job come right out and tell you their doing it. But addressing the issue for what it is (dumb kids), there does seem to be a problem with people in general understanding the concept of being well read. There again it does require a different attitude. Apparently being book smart these days is not cool in some circles and yes parents are the one's who should take responsibility i agree. However having had some experience with the schools today I can attest to the fact that schools are not what they use to be when i grew up. The foolishness that is allow in schools these days would never have been allowed. For sure if we as kids did something in school that was improper our parents would be all over us in 5 seconds. All this politically correct nonsence that we have today would not even have been considered. But that was another time. We have what we have and to be honest I don't care for what i see. I guess thats why i gently pound my grandchildren to get with the program. After all how's a wino gonna take care of me in my old age. They need good jobs making some long money. (Yeah right) Wont be waiting on that!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

Quicksilver, you're one of the few that realized that society loves to spin issues that are pretty easy to figure out.

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