What do you think about Oprah's comment about the children of the US not being grateful for Education?

Question

Oprah got some bad publicity when she made a comment about how grateful the children of South Africa are for an education. (when asked if they could have anything in the world, several young girls responded " A uniform so that I can go to school") Oprah stated that children in the US don't seem to appreciate the education they are given...they ask for things like ipods, the newest style shoe or clothing, etc...What do you think?

Answer 1

i AGREE.

Answer 2

I don't really watch Oprah, but I would say that I agree. But this is true of many countries. The UK is having problems too. Children are very spoiled now a days and I fear for the country when they grow up, as they are so self-centered.

The children of recent immigrants often appreciate it the most.

Overall, the schools need work, but the kids need to pay attention and the parents need to do their part as well. We need to raise kids as part of their community and not give them every new shiny toy they want.

Answer 3

She's right. As a teacher, I can tell you that public schools are social gatherings, not places where students focus on academics. They tend to be large warehouses where teachers are expected to not only teach, but also entertain, counsel, ignore profanity and rudeness, excuse laziness and apathy... and oh, yes, put up with parents who are in deep denial. Look at the spelling and grammar here on Yahoo. How many of these people do you think were paying attention in class? Only about 10% of high school students actually read on level mainly because they find classical and current literature " boring". I found long ago that my students would not read independently... so I read to them.

Answer 4

Although the government provided education in this country is not the best, we should be grateful that we have it. Ungratefulness is one of the diseases present in humans specially if things are available for free.

Answer 5

she is right, our culture is materalisitic, why just the other day i was reading an article in the paper about middle school children wanting coach and dooney and burke bags, along with vw bugs!

i think instead of bashing her for all the good work she is doing (building a school in one of the poorest continent in the world) we should congratualte and welcome her and try to do something ourselves

Answer 6

Children in the U.S. are not grateful for ANYTHING that they have. Because they are not taught about life by their parents, and they are not taught any manners by their parents. Instead of being grateful for what they have, they just want more, more, more.

Answer 7

like someone said before if she will stop wearing diamonds then i will agree....in her christmas show all she gives are up to date fashion items such as ipods so she herself promotes....but what gets me mad is that she stereotypes not all children are ungrateful about education

Answer 8

I think our society tends to make our youth feel "entitled" more than they may in other societies. But they're born into it and too young to know any better.

Answer 9

Oprah just like all the white. They oppress us by bad talk and then dont give enough money never to fix the poblem. No wonder we poor they dont never give enough money and say we uneducate when we try to get job. I work wit whites and they always oppressing me, specially bout my bathroom stuffs and my disablements. None of them has disablement but they has no pity for me.

Answer 10

i think they'd rather have a good time than to learn something and make something of their lives. that's the problem with freedom,after so long it's taken for granted and it becomes EXPECTED, rather than fought for.

Answer 11

There are times she should take an extra minute or two to think about what she is saying and how it may be interpreted, or misinterpreted.