PHOTO BY B. Snyder
I looked outside the window with excitement as I watched some parents bring their kids to school. It brought back old memories about my school life; most of them were happy, fulfilling, and very precious. It also ignited some thoughts about things I have observed ever since I came to this country.
For instance: history said that centuries ago, Americans created the public school system because they believed that every child needs to be educated. Not just for their own good, not just to make a career, not just to hold a better job, but to make democracy work. With only 2.4% of the registered voters here in Fitchburg who actually voted during the last election, is this effective democracy?
One thing that strikes me most is that schools usually get the blame for the misbehaviors and unproductivity of youth. Most parents get worried about what their kids learn from school but allow them to spend five hours or more watching TV, hitting the malls or playing video games. So, what do they learn instead? Simple. Always seek pleasure to avoid boredom. Violence is entertaining. You should win at all costs. Happiness is found in having things. Get everything for yourself and get it all as quickly as possible.
I also noticed this: American kids never greet their teachers. But I was told that ten years ago, there used to exist some respect for teachers, schools and administrators. Now, that rarely happens. Who wouldn’t want to be respected, anyway? I don’t think the schools teach the children to disrespect them. Have we been expecting our schools to do the job that parents should be doing?