Kids Today...
I was reading a blog this morning (FATTY’s blog is linked on the right) that touched on some things that I have been thinking about ranting on for the last couple weeks. After reading her article it got me to thinking about it a bit more seriously, translates to with “rant in mind”. So today I am going to attempt to get into kids and the way adults are forever trying to cushion their dive into life. Where the hell did I put my ruler??
I am getting slightly fed up with people telling me what kids can and can’t be expected to do; this is demeaning to both the adult(s) and the kid(s) in question. To say someone (yes even a child) is incapable of anything (besides unassisted flight) is to assume a degree of incompetence. I understand that the kid won’t be able to solve the space time riddles at age 4, but I bet if you explained the details to them over time they would come up with some answers eventually, right or wrong; some logical (based on the information they have) answers. A 4 year old is more capable of seeing AND stating the truth than most (99%) of the adults I have encountered, to me that says something very important about a child’s ability. Attempting to identify a childs level of ability seems related to peoples want to ease their growing pains, or possibly to make themselves feel superior. To attempt to make yourself feel superior this way is self defeating. To attempt to ease the pains of life for a child is to handicap them to the point of incompetence as an adult.
The first and my favorite example is Competition; there are adults that will tell you that the whole of the class, group, whatever, needs to be slowed down or not rated so as not to effect the self image of the weaker, slower, dumber kids. That is fucking retarded. Let me translate that for you. What that is saying is: Make everyone dumber, slower, weaker, so little Johnny will feel equal to the other more capable kids. Let’s make our future, our hopes and dreams worse since we can’t improve those that are not capable, so those that suck can feel ok about sucking. Some specific examples of this are Dodgeball – there are groups trying to wipe it out, Grades – some groups are trying to eliminate grading in school. There are others but those should get the idea across.
Another example is general trial and error; if a kid is attempting to figure out a way to get to something they want, an adult will usually come along and get the item for them. This is also retarded. I don’t mean that you can’t help kids, what I do mean is let them try and work it out, hell give them a couple options if they get stumped. But just doing it for them outright only teaches them if they wait a few minutes someone will do it for them. Do you want your IV attendant having that mentality? How about your oxygen tech or the person that has to empty your bedpan? yeah that puts a new light on it doesn’t it.
I hear “these kids today” from time to time referring to teenagers and young adults, and usually is a remark about their inability to work something out or make something happen or be in some way competent in their task. Well seniors you did it to yourself, your shortsighted concerns crippled your lineage, good job. Without difficulty and obstacles there is no character. To say something like that (these kids…) is to comment on the job you and your generation has done with regard to the generation that is to fill your position when you are gone.
I want to clarify a few things before I close this out; I do not believe that anyone can rest on the “well I wasn’t taught better” concept. After 18 it’s all you, regardless of how you were raised you have the choice to make it better or to do it different. All I am saying here is someone can’t comment on the outcome they helped produce. Take responsibility for your actions but don’t let someone use your responsibility as their crutch.
Closing thought; the world needs ditch diggers too. If someone isn’t able to be a rocket scientist, don’t hold back the ones that are. There is no shame in being what you are, do the best you can and make your way with what you have. Eliminating the non-suck doesn’t make the suck factor go away… it just makes it more prevalent.
I am getting slightly fed up with people telling me what kids can and can’t be expected to do; this is demeaning to both the adult(s) and the kid(s) in question. To say someone (yes even a child) is incapable of anything (besides unassisted flight) is to assume a degree of incompetence. I understand that the kid won’t be able to solve the space time riddles at age 4, but I bet if you explained the details to them over time they would come up with some answers eventually, right or wrong; some logical (based on the information they have) answers. A 4 year old is more capable of seeing AND stating the truth than most (99%) of the adults I have encountered, to me that says something very important about a child’s ability. Attempting to identify a childs level of ability seems related to peoples want to ease their growing pains, or possibly to make themselves feel superior. To attempt to make yourself feel superior this way is self defeating. To attempt to ease the pains of life for a child is to handicap them to the point of incompetence as an adult.
The first and my favorite example is Competition; there are adults that will tell you that the whole of the class, group, whatever, needs to be slowed down or not rated so as not to effect the self image of the weaker, slower, dumber kids. That is fucking retarded. Let me translate that for you. What that is saying is: Make everyone dumber, slower, weaker, so little Johnny will feel equal to the other more capable kids. Let’s make our future, our hopes and dreams worse since we can’t improve those that are not capable, so those that suck can feel ok about sucking. Some specific examples of this are Dodgeball – there are groups trying to wipe it out, Grades – some groups are trying to eliminate grading in school. There are others but those should get the idea across.
Another example is general trial and error; if a kid is attempting to figure out a way to get to something they want, an adult will usually come along and get the item for them. This is also retarded. I don’t mean that you can’t help kids, what I do mean is let them try and work it out, hell give them a couple options if they get stumped. But just doing it for them outright only teaches them if they wait a few minutes someone will do it for them. Do you want your IV attendant having that mentality? How about your oxygen tech or the person that has to empty your bedpan? yeah that puts a new light on it doesn’t it.
I hear “these kids today” from time to time referring to teenagers and young adults, and usually is a remark about their inability to work something out or make something happen or be in some way competent in their task. Well seniors you did it to yourself, your shortsighted concerns crippled your lineage, good job. Without difficulty and obstacles there is no character. To say something like that (these kids…) is to comment on the job you and your generation has done with regard to the generation that is to fill your position when you are gone.
I want to clarify a few things before I close this out; I do not believe that anyone can rest on the “well I wasn’t taught better” concept. After 18 it’s all you, regardless of how you were raised you have the choice to make it better or to do it different. All I am saying here is someone can’t comment on the outcome they helped produce. Take responsibility for your actions but don’t let someone use your responsibility as their crutch.
Closing thought; the world needs ditch diggers too. If someone isn’t able to be a rocket scientist, don’t hold back the ones that are. There is no shame in being what you are, do the best you can and make your way with what you have. Eliminating the non-suck doesn’t make the suck factor go away… it just makes it more prevalent.
posted by Capt. Obvious at 8:41 AM
4 Comments:
Heathen -
umm had me for a min, thought you were just way off topic but yeah I see what ya mean.
Does your wife actually believe Atlantis existed? or are you just making a point at her expense? hehe
Madcap - gonna take a while for his allowance to work that out...
ahh... kids today... you oldies =P
its totally true - kids need the opportunities earlier, not later... they can only achieve what you think they can. But don't lead me into another rant, kids need stimulation,competition and responsibilities within a secure and stable environment.
Its no good if they're being challenged at school but supressed at home, or being over protected and un-stimulated.
Lines will need to be drawn though. If 'dumber' kids are holding back a class, there system should support them and put them in a more compatible one.
Competition and stress are good to some extent - but can lead to big problems for struggling kids as well as a really unhealthy cut-throat ethic (as seen in some selective schools)
Just stumbled across this old post of yours.
I have to agree strongly especially about leaving kids to work it out themselves..eg. making of beds. Get them to do it and then the bloody thing alone...DON"T come along later and 'fix it up' or 'tidy their work' It is their work and they are proud of it. Leave it alone. They will be pleased you liked that they are working as part of the family.
Just an example.
Makes me glad, I don't plan on haveing kids. Most of you have probrably read my blog or my comments here, I'm not that great at writing. In fact I'd say my writing/spelling skills are an atrocity. It's somthing I work around, I was horrible in school, and was left behind a bit. I pushed through though, mother and father didn't do it for me. They did however "incourage" me to get through it. We won't get into how they incouraged me (shudder). Now I'm a working part of society, I go to work every day, I pay my bills, hell I even attempt to do the right thing from time to time. Kids today, a much to large quantity of anyway, live with thier parents till they kick them out. No job, no responsiblity, no incouragement to do anything with their life. Bugs me. Anyway seemed relavent when I started.
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