are all american kids stupid?

Question

it's taken me a while to formulate this question, so bear wth me.

i spend most of my time in the south africa forum, and have noticed the past while that there have been some very, shall we say, not so intelligent questions regarding south africa.

some of them include -

"do y'all live in normal houses?"

"are all south africans black?"

"do you have electricity?"

and some that are just too ridiculous too even mention.

what do they teach you in american schools?

are you taught that south africa is one big rural jungle, or do they let you know that our country is the economic hub of africa, that we are not a third world nation, but a thriving nation, albeit with some problems, yet thriving none the less?

are all american kids taught to be totally unaware of anything other than america?

please answer honestly.

Answer 1

US schools are not there primarily to educate. One has to remember that public schools of this sort were a Prussian invention to regiment their males at a young age so they would be better soldiers. Schools of this sort (and they are by far the majority in the world) are there primarily to make people think in a similar way; to stifle independent thinking. We get some basics in there such as rudimentary reading and some basic math but world cultures are rarely studied in any sort of depth. This worked great during the industrial age since that is all that was needed to succeed in the factories but we are finding that since the USA cannot compete industrially in the world economy, we are forced more and more to import technical talent because that old formula no longer works. Some states have enacted tests that need to be passed to graduate that focus on needs and are designed to combat the old practice of "passing them through" (the reason so many high school graduates cannot read). It is interesting that "home schooled" students actually outperform public school students (avg = 80% as opposed to public schools 50%) even when taught by non-college graduates. The USA is good at change. As we fall further behind the curve, the teachers' unions will be overruled and public schools will adapt to the needs of the students. We're just not quite there yet.

Answer 2

I'm an American. I just think our way of learning is just by testing. Not a lot of public school have enough money to afford the materials and books to teach more advanced subjects. Though they have AP courses. There are fairly smart students in my school, however not all students aren't smart. Most just don't care about school and have other things to do in life. It's true that we are restrained of what we learn in school by the state, but most of us try our best to earn the top test scores. I know many that have top ranking scores and a lot of people in college come out with a very high GPA. It depends on what area of the US you are looking at for these test scores you are talking about. Like what my teacher said, "We are taught answer questions and succeed in tests, but when it comes to technical questions requiring thinking outside of text or what we learn, we have a hard time knowing te answer." Hope this helped!

Answer 3

I don't think South Africa is a big topic in US schools...only when discussing the white/black conflict in the area. Truthfully American children are not exposed to other cultures very often, hence the lack of knowledge not just about South Africa, but probably almost everywhere else as well. If it doesn't directly connect with US history in some way, or current events affecting the US right now...it is set aside for those who choose to study it in college or on their own.

Answer 4

I go to an American school and I do know some people that ask those kind of questions (it's irritating). They are ignorant and probably view Africa by what they see in the media where Africa looks like poverty all over, but I do know that Africa isn't really like that. Not all American kids are but a good amount of them probably are... I hope I'm not like that. I'm sure going to school is not a waste of my time, right?



I do believe that American kids should be well educated considering the laws of education and they have the privilege to go to school for free in public school. Some American kids barely anything about America much less Africa.

Answer 5

Actually, some American kids wouldn't even know what continent you're on. Even with 'Africa' being in your name. They just don't teach geography that much in school.

I, however, (18 and just out of high school) know everything that you just talked about and more. I could tell you about colonization in Africa, and about your recent political history. I know you're the most powerful and developed African nation right now. So you might try to reformulate your question, because the answer is no. Not by a long shot.

EDIT: Yes, and I have to ask, what would the average South African kid be able to tell us about Venezuela? Probably not much. And that's not his/her fault.

Answer 6

I know the difference between South Africa and the rest of Africa. A lot of schools dont show the difference between them because all people hear is... "AIDS/HIV in Africa" "Children in Sudan." They just assume South Africa is exactly the same. Its not like kids wake up and go, "I want to learn about South Africa!"

Answer 7

Not all American kids are stupid but most American adults are very ignorant.I was in New York in 2003 and I was shocked by most of them.They apparently don't know much about the outside world.They don't seem they need to know anyway.They watch too much TV and movies probably they don't have time for reading and stuff.Funny thing is they think they know alot while they actually don't. But Americans are friendly and helpful people.So I still like them they kind of cute.

Answer 8

No..... but it must be pretty close to being a YES. Most Americans are "stupid", they are ignorant to what happens in the world, let alone their own back yard.

They frequently think New Zealand and Australia are the same countries. (They are not.... look on an Atlas).

They think they have the right to invade countries, as long as no one invades them.

They have caused more "wars" than any other country in the world .... not bad considering they are not that old, earth wise.

Americans are selfish, they call foreigners aliens, yet if you refered to them in your country as an alien, they would be offeneded.

Some interesting facts:

Some Americans don't think they need a passport for international travel, "they are Americans only foreigners need passports. ...

Americans beleive too much BS from Hollywood, and dont know its own or the world true history. They beleive what they watch on TV or in a movie.... irrefutably.


Years ago a foreign reporter was interviewing people in America and asked them why people (in the world) thought Americans were stupis .... some of the replys were "If I had my gun on me I's shoot you now for saying that" .... That is a stupid menatllity if ever I saw one.

Most Americans didn't watch the movie Alexander because they thought it was about some who was gay. (http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/009126.php)

Most Americans are just too dumb to learn ..... they would rather watch an incorrect Hollywood movie of the events.

Answer 9

I don't think all American kids are stupid but maybe some are just ignorant of how people live in other countries. They are probably asking those questions because they may not have been taught anything other that what has happened here in America.

Answer 10

they are just not taught about the foreign culture and geography and even their own history. i have a question for you, someone told me that the black south african are doing whatever they can to kick white south african out of the country? is that true ?