In a few weeks i have met abut 10 people who dont know where UK is,what the capital of France! And after all of it,some american woman in CA asked me where Tennesse is,and she was surprised that TN is state of USA. I cant believe it. And i am not from USA,but know the names of all states,and yours,americans writers,capitals of states and name of president too. Is that the way they teach in scool here or just a lazy people?
2006-09-15 21:14:52 · 13 answers · asked by s 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Studying Abroad
Public education is focused on what the government thinks matters -- this is true for any nation's education system. If another nation values knowledge about the US -- perhaps in recognition of the economic necessity thereof -- then they will ensure that their students are taught accordingly. On a simple number and geographic comparison basis, it is abundantly easier to become familiar with 50 states in a small portion of the planet than the 180+ countries on the entire planet.
This is not a defense of public education in the US, which I think (as a former student and now as a parent of children in it) is incredibly ineffective, but instead an argument against the illogical comparison regarding knowledge of the US from outside the US versus knowledge of outside the US from within it. Compare apples to apples, in other words.
2006-09-15 21:25:06 · answer #1 · answered by trws1966 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that children in the US are not very educated when it comes to geography, and it is very sad that most people in the US cannot identify parts of their own country, let alone, places from around the world. I have encountered this problem more than once since I live in the state of New Mexico... I am constantly asked if I am a citizen or illegal immigrant and if I speak Spanish. I used to try to explain that I live in a southwestern STATE... that is between Texas and Arizona, but it never helped so I have given up. I just let people like that stay ignorant. So to answer you last question... I believe that it is a combination of what our children are taught in school and their own laziness. If they truly wanted to learn and educate themselves, many could... they just simply refuse.
2006-09-15 21:29:48 · answer #2 · answered by Laurie V 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm an American & my knowledge of geography is very, very good. I did not major in geography in college. I have never heard of a major geography concentration at an American university, only in European universities, especially England. Students with healthy curiosities appear in many unexpected places. It is an inborn gift, and some of these people are found in America. Dull people are also found everywhere I notice.
2006-09-15 22:09:58 · answer #3 · answered by Bronweyn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You cant generalize an entire country based on a select few people you have come into contact with. I'm sorry but I do not remember every tiny little thing that I was ought in school. Some people know some things. Yeah there are stupid and lazy Americans - I'm not saying there aren't - but there are stupid and smart people everywhere.
2006-09-15 21:25:51 · answer #4 · answered by sassysharli 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I live in the United States and i know a lot of people are like that, unfortunately.I think many Americans feel that it's ok to be ignorant, since they live in the most powerful nation on earth who cares, but its not going to be, if we keep going the same way we are.
2006-09-15 22:10:12 · answer #5 · answered by herstory 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both, and you are correct it is amazing to think that this is our future. It was said best when "those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it"
Too many in the US are either not taught history/geography properly or think learning it is useless. I just asked my son's friend the other day how does he know where he is going or where he's been? Luckily my son loves this area and other acedemia.
2006-09-15 21:27:44 · answer #6 · answered by NotSoTweetOne 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have the equal problem in Brazil. Americans dont know their geography and Brazilians dont know their politicians. Actually the peoples are more careful with the good look than with the brain.
2006-09-16 05:48:42 · answer #7 · answered by nonono 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because the US is all we need to know
Just kidding!
It is a sad thing, really, that people don't know much about "out there". I lived in Argentina for a few years, one brother in Japan, one brother in Germany, one sister in Canada, and I have another brother moving to Italy pretty soon.
It's so awesome to discover the world and meet other people and cultures.
2006-09-15 21:21:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Who cares? That is gay. We could study it day and night but we would forget since we wouldn't use that knowledge. How would it help the majority to know the capitol of cuba or where they hold the annual chicken races in Mexico?
Study knowledge that holds worth....
I have met many people that all their life involved was study of crap facts and they would get into conversations just to put the other person down since they didn't know. Yet those people were smarter. Come on!
2006-09-15 21:26:06 · answer #9 · answered by Labatt113 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They are lazy. But when you criticize people about learning, you should make sure your grammar is not a target for criticism. It doesn't matter if you are from the USA or not.
2006-09-15 21:19:47 · answer #10 · answered by ihaftaknow 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋