Kids

[BubbaRednek]

So you go ahead and knock the system all you want but stay the hell away from teachers.

Outstanding post, I couldn't agree more. Teachers are not the problem. Unfortunately, they can't be the solution without help. Funding isn't the answer, either.

IMO, the problem is an inner-city culture that is apathetic about education. If a child is raised in a home where books and learning aren't valued, if they have parents that don't believe it is important, then they won't see how vital knowledge is. As they grow, they're surrounded by peers with the same viewpoint, same problem. The only people that they come in daily contact with that do think education is worth the effort are their teachers. That's wonderful, but the opposing side is constantly reinforced by their friends and home life.

It's tragic, and I don't have a solution. Adequate funding and committed teachers help, but it's still a losing battle. The home life and culture has to change. The really tragic part of it is that those inner city kids need the benefits of education the most, because it's their best chance of escaping the problems of the inner city.

Yes, there are exceptions. I realize that there are inner city parents that do understand that a decent education can mean a better life for their sons and daughters. We just need more, many more, of them.

 

[Earthgoddess]

As a firm believer in urban living and a resident of a large and diverse city-I do not think the problem is related to the "inner-city".
The lack of respect for learning is nationwide-recognition for intellectual pursuits is lagging behind recognition for sports or peer recognition.
And the income level of the parents are not always indicators of this. I know many lower income parents who read constantly to their children, and I know plenty of wealthy parents who plunk them down in front of a video, simply because they don't have the time to read them a goodnight story. I read for at least an hour a day to my son-have since he was an embryo. And I plan on making reading a special and celebrated event in our household.
That is really the key-celebrating the ideas of education, and supporting them at home.

 

[BubbaRednek]

That is really the key-celebrating the ideas of education, and supporting them at home.

I think we're in violent agreement on that.

 

[Pyper]

Earthgoddess...

http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/media/godcopilotate.jpg

 

[Earthgoddess]

Pyper-thank you!!
Redneck-thank you-I just hate the illogical assumption that only inner city children have this problem.