Recent Polls have shown that a 1/5 of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a map?

Question

Why do you think that is?

Answer 1

CNN talked about that stupid pageant thing...I heard that statistic, and while I agree that most people are fairly stupid, I cannot believe that 1/5 of Americans don't know that. Unless those polled were pre-schoolers!

The CNN reporter did say that they could find no source for that figure...

Answer 2

It's a fundamental failing of our school system. I wasn't really taught this in school either, much less how to figure the four cardinal directions. Luckily I had parents to whom this was important that I learn. We traveled a lot and one of us would be designated navigator. We also had a current world map on the wall in our home. To this day, if I am outside or know at least one nearby landmark, I can immediately orient myself directionally. I intend to teach my kids the same, as I can't count on the school system. I guess to the majority of people, it just isn't a daily concern so they don't care to learn.

Answer 3

Having been a history teacher, I'm not suprised. Memorization of the states and capitals, as well as the continents, fell out of practice for a while for some unknown (to me) reason.

Luckily, it is back in the schools, starting at the elementary level, and reinforced in Junior High.

Can't say I understand why. I can't recite all the capitals myself - it truly was not taught to me at an age that would allow it to "stick" - but I can label my states, countries and continents.

Answer 4

well because we live here and don't look at a map everyday don't get me wrong i know where the usa is on a map but i find it to be beyond me sometimes how thats even possible i mean i could understand a child not knowing but an adult i mean come on they should of learned this somewhere. - omg you have got to be kidding me. if you didn't learn in school it isn't because the school didn't teach it its because you didn't listen and thats not our school systems fault for if the person is not willing to learn then you can't teach them much.

Answer 5

I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and uh, I believe that our, I, education like such as, uh, South Africa, and uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uhhh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for us.

Answer 6

I find that a bit hard to believe as it is a country on every single modern world map and atlas in the world.

Answer 7

Kids are not being taught to memorize the map. I always loved maps so it came easy for me to learn where the countries were. I bought puzzles to help me.

Answer 8

I would think it's falsified propaganda. Just like the ones that say we only use 10% of our brains.

I would be utterly amazed if people couldn't recognize the US on a map.

Answer 9

I think that goes to show that 79% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Answer 10

my personal opinion is that us americans don't got maps. such as like south africa, the iraqs, and yeah.

i didn't copy off anything. It was just what i remembered from the tv.