I'm 16 years old and I came to the States 3 years ago from Nigeria.
In my country it was actually cool to be smart and intelligent but in the U.S being smart is for "geeks". No one wants to be called a geek thats why American kids are not doing so well compared to other countries when it comes to academics. Whats your take on this?
2006-08-08 05:33:51 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Yes, Anthony, you're right, but only to a certain point. American teens put a very high value on being cool, well-liked, and not too studious, often to the detriment of their studies. When you ask them why their grades are low, they say, "I have a life," as if academic achievement and social lives are mutually exclusive.
However, there are also a lot of students in the U.S. who are very smart, work very hard, and are high achievers. You'll meet more of them when you get to college. In college, so-called "geeks" are much more valued and enjoy active social lives at the same time.
2006-08-08 05:44:19 · answer #1 · answered by mistersato 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with mistersato I'm still in school and people sometimes care way too much about their social life and in the end don't end up with very good careers. Personally I think it's good to have a good social life but it shouldn't be your biggest concern. After high school no body's going to care if you were the most popular kid or the biggest nerd. But to answer your question its because they care too much about their social life and their parents don't really care about their grades.
2006-08-08 12:53:47 · answer #2 · answered by ♥me♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Japanese premier observed that in his country, they don't have to cater to people who won't learn Japanese and the schools are goal oriented rather than a playground for social experimenters.
He was attacked by the left, of course.
2006-08-08 17:12:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lack of respect for teachers, teachers having to pass pupils that should fail, sheer ignorance, cuts in education spending. There are many reason why. Please, continue to be a geek. It can only help you later on.
2006-08-08 12:42:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Teachers are underpaid, most american kids do not go to school to learn they go to socialize... Teachers are to busy most of the day to teach ... they are there to protect the kids.
2006-08-08 12:42:14 · answer #5 · answered by ladyntn56 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋