2007-05-22 02:05:09 · 10 answers · asked by eagleperch 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I don't believe my children are less intelligent than I was, or that I'm less intelligent than my parents were at our respective ages.
If you're talking about the generational differences in education, there has been a "dumbing down" of the curriculum over the decades. Emphasis has changed as well, on what is taught and what is not.
When something 'institutional' isn't up to par--such as education--the real answers can be found by following the money in almost every single case.
To start with, the amount of money spent on *administration* for each child far outweighs what is spent on the curriculum to teach that child. That wasn't always the case. As the bureaucracy grew, as government intruded, the cost of education rose dramatically--to the detriment of both teachers and students.
There's also been a shift in disciplinary practices in the school children. When I was a child, I knew that what I could "get away with" at home, wouldn't work at school. Today, I've had teachers for my kids that let them get away with what I would never allow.
An example: I would never dream of not doing the assigned work during a given period--yet when my then-fourth grader didn't complete his math in the 30 minutes allotted--the teacher first gave him a candybar, and then called me to complain. What was I supposed to do after she had rewarded his bad behavior?
Not all teachers have been like that, my children have enjoyed fantastic teachers who kept them on task and disciplined--as I do at home--and they were a joy to work with. Yet, overall, there's a sense that kids can get away with doing things in school with their friends, that they would never, ever consider doing in front of their parents. (Necking, fighting, swearing, cat-calling, bullying others, etc.)
Don't get me wrong--I know there are neglectful, dysfunctional parents out there. I know that kids often pick up bad behavior patterns from their parents. I know too that there are parents who encourage bad behavior in their children as well. It's not all the schools or the teachers fault.
I've had some of those kids in my house, but they learn pretty quick if they display any of those behaviors here--I won't tolerate it. I think that's the part that is missing from our schools. On top of that, their bad behavior has become a money-making proposition for the schools through kick-backs for getting kids on ADD and ADHD medications.
So, while I don't think the next generation is less intelligent, I think they're far less focused than previous generations and have lower standards of acheivement.
2007-05-22 02:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by chocowriter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know that I'd say dumber, but I think that young people seem to be growing more irresponsible. It's all about how they're raised. There are so many parents who do want to parent and this generation is the result.
2007-05-22 09:14:04 · answer #2 · answered by smm1974 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's funny how people think kids today are "dumber", if when, you look at the state of the world today it's run by much older people....
2007-05-22 09:49:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say that they are "dumber", I would say that they are less educated in certain departments. Back when Mom and pop we kids, their parents taught them social graces and manners. In today's society, that seems to be less important. So, it is not that today's youth is stupid, just been taught less about some things and more about others.
2007-05-22 09:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by ninabeanas 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Public School system
2007-05-22 09:10:10 · answer #5 · answered by John 1:1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All is well if you really know yourself totally & maybe young people today will not do that.
Knowing oneself is where you can give value to who you are & what you have & you can live the life to the fullest...Ok!
2007-05-22 09:11:07 · answer #6 · answered by Dawnz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you including yourself in this. IF your talking about educational smartness we are not even comparable to the past. If your talking about street sense and survival smartness we get dominated but that's because out intelligence got greater.
2007-05-22 09:09:47 · answer #7 · answered by joe d 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
How about ask the first generation of adults to ask that.... I'm guessing several Millium ago
Cause it's been asked every generation.
2007-05-22 09:17:57 · answer #8 · answered by Rai A 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are they? I always thought I was quite clever.
2007-05-22 09:09:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of their parents...
2007-05-22 09:09:24 · answer #10 · answered by mrquestion 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋