A sad time we live in. Kids growing up not even knowing their heritage or how we got here.

J.     

They learn so much other stuff that is not even important...that's a shame.

Brigita..I can top you there..I know this young lady who has almost a 4.0 in high school and did not know who the vice president of the US is...like him or hate him,you should at least who he is.

Jeff:

Supposedly our school systems have improved.  So why do we have more knowledge than the new generation?  Is it possible we learned more back then?

Aggie:

Personally, I feel the school systems should go back to the way it was back in the 60's and 70's.  We learned more back then.

BLR Guy:

You definitely have me beat.  I would hate to see what the future leaders and generations will be like.

I've heard of the show but have not had a chance to actually watch it yet. It does sound interesting. Thanks.

I think we didn't have as much pressure. Plus, kids want to grow up fast and they have a lot more distractions.

Discipline is way down too.

J.

Derrick:

I enjoy watching it.  A couple of contestants did make to $1 million.

Jeff:

All the more we should go back to some of the old ways.  Let's allow the kids to be kids (forget the video games) and teach them respect and responsibility.  In the long run, they will learn more and they will appreciate it when they get older. 

Brigita - While I'm not a huge fan of reality shows, it does shed even more public light on our the curriculum in our schools needs to evolve.  Though I may be an edgy guy at times, I agree that we should go back to some of the old ways as well.

Although there are definite improvements that could be made to our school systems, I have to respectfully defend the kids here, Brigita.  Both my kids know more about history and geography than was ever taught to me at their ages.  Asia and Africa were virtually ignored.  Both have tackled math at earlier ages than we were taught.  Many kids have AP high school classes that are college level speed and content.  I really see a whole lot of stressed out kids knocking themselves out to get to college.  I see some kids who have stopped trying.  Having currently experienced the college application process, I gotta tell you.  The one thing I wish was like the "old days"  is the lack of stress and agitation kids are put through.  4.0 is not "good enough" anymore.  What are we asking of them?
I wholeheartedly agree with you that we should let kids be kids.  I also agree that more discipline would be nice, but feel strongly that the place it is lacking is in parenting.  Parents need to be a guide to their children.  School need rules, but then go overboard with their zero tolerance policies.

Thanks for posting this to prompt a discussion.  You provided a fun example to work with. 

I hate to admit it but I'm alway embarrassed by this show!  I can tell you how to chop up your DNA and link it to another organism and grow it but I get most of the show's questions wrong!  EEK!

Jason:

The schools should have kept the old ways that worked.  You know the old saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Elaine:

Don't get me wrong.  Not everything in the school system is bad.  They need to bring back some of the old methods that worked in the schools.  Also, the schools should be allowed to enforce the rules and have the parents abide by them.  Parents should not make excuses for the kids.  Teaches the kids irresponsibility.

Thanks for your input.  I like to have a good discussion going. 

Krista:

I can understand that you cannot be good at all subjects.  (I admit, social studies was my weak point.)  But not knowing the lyrics to the song "America" and the National Anthem?  These should be a MUST.

Thanks for commenting.

BRIGITA:  I think that a lot of us forget the things that we learned back then, but don't use on a regular basis.  I've watched the show at times, and must admit, that I've forgotten a lot of it also.  It is kind of funny to watch others flounder though.

Adam:

Yes, I admit, we do forget certain things, but a college student forget the lyrics to a song that we all should know.  That I feel is unforgivable.  The older generation, like us, I forgive certain times, because we have our senior moments. LOL

The term you are discussing, I think, is "cultural literacy." 

Every generation attempts to define it backwards for those generations younger than they are.  It is a way to outline for younger generations the events, experiences and information we find important.  You have to understand, though, that all of those events, experiences and information will be viewed by younger generations through the lens of their youth and they are allowed to determine and filter for themselves what is important.

There are pletny of things our parents shook their heads because we did not know or consider important.  And our kids will do the same at their kids.....

Joseph:

I do agree with you on that, but I feel that out of respect for your country, you should know the words to your country's songs and the pledge of allegiance.  Also, I think geography is important also.  There are kids out there that can't even tell you where each of our states are located.  I don't mean the exact location, but whether it is north, south, east or west in the country.  That is rather sad.   

I can't say that I have sung "America" since first grade, so I guess that's why I can forgive those who forget the lyrics....

As for kids and geography - it is not limited by age.  Regular studies and polls often show that about 20% or so of all Americans can't place the ENTIRE United States on a world map.  More regular studies are conducted of young adults to fuel the exact converstaion we are having here, but I often wonder if those surveys were asked of adults 30-60 years of age, if the results would be substantially different.

Good conversation, Brigita!

I'm with Elaine. As the parent of a senior in high school, I am often amazed that what he is learning is what we learned in college. Seriously! You'd be amazed how much stress and pressure these kids are under, and it's not surprising to me that they would forget simple things they remembered long ago (there's too much crammed into those brains daily!). The most important thing for all of us is to know where to find the answers. It's not about always having the answers available at a moments notice.

Joseph:

It's a shame when they have no clue where any of the states are.  I also noticed that many students do not know ther simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  In my opinion,  calculators should NOT be allowed for the students to use until they have mastered basic math.  I remember when my kids were in about 4th grade and said they need a calculator because the other kids in class were using them.  I didn't allow it until they were in middle school and starting to learn algebra, etc.  When a cashier at the store cannot figure out how much change to give to you without the register, it is very sad.  This happened to me once when the power went out to one of the stores.  She had no clue how to figure it out.  Computers are a good thing, yes, but let's learn to use our brains first and then let technology help us.

Thanks for the good conversation!

Kelly:

The kids these days are growing up too fast.  They have no clue how to be a child and enjoy those years.  They are involved in too many activities, and society is pushing them to start learning at much younger ages.  Some are not ready for it.  Let them learn at their own rate.  Not everyone is a genius.  We need to ease up a bit on the kids and stop stressing them out.  They will have plenty of stress in their lives as they mature.  Let the kids pick a couple of activities they are interested in being involved in.  If they don't enjoy one after a while, let them drop it and choose another one.  If they are involved in too many activities, they will never learn to focus and complete a task. 

You are right about the activities. My kids have always been kids first...never the type to get involved in too many things. I've always felt that they need down time, just do nothing and daydream time. Funny thing about that is it causes it's own problems in high school...when colleges EXPECT you to have been involved in a million different activities. Not enough extra-curriculars may mean you don't get admitted. It's nutty!

Kelly:

My kids were involved in 4H, US Pony Club and an activity in school when they were growing up.  They were good students in school and were accepted to good colleges.  The colleges just want to see that you are a good student, a 4.0 grade average not important, and involved in other activities, not necessarily many of them.  I don't know if that is changed, but at least that is how it was several years ago.

I like the old methods as well.  If you acted up in class, the teacher whacked you.... then when you got home, your parents whacked you. :^)

While I beleve there are serious issues with our educational system, I find it ironic that the 'young ' people that pushed social change in the late 60's and early 70's... created what we have today.  And now look at it as if they:  1) weren't involved and 2) can't fix it.

Humans are a funny species.

Rob:

Teachers these days aren't allowed to touch any student.  If a student is out of control, God forbid you should touch him.  The teacher could be sued for abuse of a minor.  No wonder this new generation is the way it is.  They know they can get away with things and that they have the upperhand.  Respect is lost and unfortunately the parents stand up for the child instead of the teacher.    No wonder there is violence in schools today.  I went to school in the Bronx, NY where my HS was known as the local drug store.  Yes, there was violence, but it was mainly between the gangs.  Nothing like it is now where the innocent are getting hurt.  In the 60's and 70's they were looking for peace and love, not violence.  It has done a complete 180 in the wrong direction.

I agree, humans are a funny species.  We need to take lessons from the animal world.

My high school senior sometimes amazes me with what he knows.  Then there are the days where I want to bang my head against the wall because it's less painful than thinking "how in the world is this boy going to survive in today's world". 

I'm going to have to keep an eye out to catch this show while it's on.  Can anyone share a date/channel/time?

Jeannie:

This show is televised on Thursday evenings at 8PM on FOX network.  You might be able to catch it tonight.  Jeff Foxworthy hosts it and it is funny.  Hope you enjoy it and see if you are smarter than a 5th grader.  Let me know how you do.