How can we change the attitudes of American youth regarding education and other values?

Question

Why is it that things being wasted and taken for granted. In so many other countries people don't have a decent (free) education system like this country does and so many kids take it for granted by cutting and not even attending. What can we do to change this attitude about this and this and other things.

You can talk about subject or anything else you believe needs a change such as maybe extreme waste or materialism

Answer 1

to get them off their asses and get involved

Answer 2

A lot of this has to do with trying to be "cool". People who are good at studies are seen as geeks, nerds, weirdos. Educational achievments need to get at least half of the attention that sporting achievements do. The media can play a big part in bringing about such a view since children/teenagers are quite nfluenced by what hey see on TV and in the movies.
They should also get enough support and encouragement from parents to that they develop the confidence to not give in to peer pressure. In today's hurried world with both parents working and having less time with their children, parents feel guilty about that and give in to the child's demands and hesitate to reprimand children when they behave badly or take things for granted. Parents should try to teach their children the value of everything they get and this can be done without punishment or being harsh. Most importantly, parents can teach by example.

Answer 3

it's funny that those in this country who need education can't get it but those who have it don't want it. school sucks. it's not exciting and immeidate or long term benefits are not expressed. it's basically treated as a cycle of growing up. back inthe old days a HS diploma meant something, nowadays, a bachelors degree means nothing. it usually comes too late to people the benefits of education. sometimes education is not always beneficial though either. I've known people who spent 7-8 years chasing masters and PHD's only to come out and find nothing out there for them. most young people think a diploma will get me something and a BA will get me something better. true in some aspects but probably not what they had hoped for. Then again, some people aren't meant for education. perhaps they like trades or skilled labor or just are lost in terms of education. some people can't be taught in the time frame of a semester or school year and essentially are too dumb for school. the only real thing that change attitudes of young kids about their education is their future. show them what happens when you don't grad HS or college. take them to mcdonalds or the sanitation dept. show them that these are the jobs you'll be fighting to get if you don't have a basic education.

Answer 4

I'd say it has something to do with the parenting and peers. Whenever a child is doing poorly in or isn't attending school, the student's parents or peers could be responsible. Kids may drop out for being caught smoking pot on campus or not attend due to emotional, psychological, or physical reasons caused by the parents. I'm not sure on what we can do other than just cracking down on the situation and find any signs of substance or child abuse.

Answer 5

I believe it starts in the home. Parents are responsible for bringing up children to respect the things that have been given them. We live in a free country, but that doesn't mean that everything should be handed to us on a gold platter for free. So first parents take the main role, instilling into their children respectful attitudes with love and discipline. Then teachers help to continue this with caring attitudes, not impatient or insensitive attitudes. But most of all, a family rooted in the love of Christ will make the biggest impact on a young person's life. That is where His love flows from.

Answer 6

I am a teacher and the best thing that I have encountered with my students is having a good relationship with them and keeping their parents updated on their school work. Some students act like they have no care in the world but soon as the parent know what is going on in the school, they strighten up faster than you can believe. Majority of teachers in my school do not take the time out to let the parents know about their child progression in school.

Answer 7

The youths' mother and father is the key to sharping their children attitudes concerning education, values and many other things, such as prejudice.

Answer 8

The present generation of American youth are fed 'gun culture' not real education and human values. The government is to blame for the present pathetic state of affairs in the American education system!

Answer 9

It's our society, but alot of the fault lies with the parents. Alot of parents don't push their kids to do better for themselves, or encourage them to go to college, much less finish high school. I know that in my family, I was expected to get married and have kids, and I didn't get any encouragement to even finish high school. I have a 12 year old that's already making plans for the navy, college and a career. She takes pride in getting good grades because she understands that without an education, you won't get anywhere in life, and that's what I think so many kids now don't care about or understand.

Answer 10

its because whats being taught in school is all for the states to check up on, for tests and nothing that the kids can actually use.

for once i think bush was wrong with the whole "no child left behind"
its left students everyone a bad taste in their mouths for the thoughtles regulating tests that are only there to keep the school in line. the kids can memorize the answers and be no more smarter. or for that matter, would they want to be smarter if it means giving up most of their day for lectures on things they know they will never use.

Answer 11

I don't know.

Im more worried about the rising cost of healthcare and the fast rise in people without it.

Pay as you go doesn't work in a longer timeline.

Im also worried about the rising cost of Housing.
Skyrocketing rents.

I think one of the Networks is doing a show on the rising numbers of people living out of thier cars.

Im sure Bush would say "Isnt that wonderful, Uniquely American when we can choose to live in our cars! God Bless America!"