The Kids Aren't Alright [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS]

[Snowflee17]

You can be anything you want if you work and use the opportunities that are available to you.

For every one of those opportunities you don't take, and for every day you don't work another door will close until there are no doors left.

The problem with your idea is flawed because our so called higher education is nothing more than a tried and failed indoctrination process, where schools and colleges are interested in one thing only $$$$$$$$$
Those other countries you have mentioned don't offer the usless programs and classes that you find in almost every school in this country which on top of that it's going to cost you $30,000+ a year for a degree that only qualifies you to be a glorified burger flipper!!!

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[MAT1955]

@RobertWins ......an extremely inciteful comment! As a school Principal I fought continuously to stop that "You can be anything you want". It was nonsense that could only lead to many children feeling inadequate, angry and unhappy. I told students to work at being the best they could. You Tube, influencers, well-meaning parents, the school system and society have fostered the insane notion that children/young adults are entitled to become whatever they desire (you are all rock stars!) and it has resulted in a lot of angry young people, who feel they are being treated "unfairly" (it's not fair I hear continually) and therefore are at risk for being mislead by "modern" socialist policies that they misperceive as some sort of everyone prospers wonderfully. I have lived abroad and anyone who thinks there are not distinct "classes" in a socialist society is delusional. It will be very interesting to see what actually happens in N.Y.

 

[RobertWins]

You can be anything you want if you work and use the opportunities that are available to you.

For every one of those opportunities you don't take, and for every day you don't work another door will close until there are no doors left.

As long as you have the aptitude and the level of intelligence required for whatever it is you want to do. As one of the other people said not everyone gets to be a brain surgeon. I was terrible at chemistry and biology, the medical field was not in the cards for me, no matter how badly I may have wanted it. There are those with motor skills. There are those without. There are those that are good at math and those that are not. What teacher should be telling children is that they can be anything they want to be within their skill set if they work hard enough. But to just be anything... That is a lie.

 

[RobertWins]

@RobertWins ......an extremely inciteful comment! As a school Principal I fought continuously to stop that "You can be anything you want". It was nonsense that could only lead to many children feeling inadequate, angry and unhappy. I told students to work at being the best they could. You Tube, influencers, well-meaning parents, the school system and society have fostered the insane notion that children/young adults are entitled to become whatever they desire (you are all rock stars!) and it has resulted in a lot of angry young people, who feel they are being treated "unfairly" (it's not fair I hear continually) and therefore are at risk for being mislead by "modern" socialist policies that they misperceive as some sort of everyone prospers wonderfully. I have lived abroad and anyone who thinks there are not distinct "classes" in a socialist society is delusional. It will be very interesting to see what actually happens in N.Y.

Truth be known, I wanted to be a lead guitarist in a rock band. Two problems. One I am not musically inclined. Two I couldn't hold a tune in a bucket with a lid on it.

It doesn't stop me from singing at the top of my lungs with my top down and the radio cranked up though!

 

[Zig]

As long as you have the aptitude and the level of intelligence required for whatever it is you want to do. As one of the other people said not everyone gets to be a brain surgeon. I was terrible at chemistry and biology, the medical field was not in the cards for me, no matter how badly I may have wanted it. There are those with motor skills. There are those without. There are those that are good at math and those that are not. What teacher should be telling children is that they can be anything they want to be within their skill set if they work hard enough. But to just be anything... That is a lie.

Or they could just say, they can excel at things that match their skills

 

[Ynot]

Education is more than going to college. Not everyone belongs in a college. Trade schools are making a resurgence for a good reason. Learning a trade IS education and it is necessary to keep balance in our workforce. I love the arrogance of someone with a master's degree looking down on an auto worker who built the car the "educated" guy drives but couldn't fix to save his life. All the while Mr. Masters is trying to pay off student loans while Mr. Trade is enjoying his boat, hot wife and putting away money in his pension. (Btw, I am a professional engineer, all y'all upset educated folk can stuff it...)

I think part of the problem is parents and the k-12 educational industrial complex are not teaching our young people how to actually work and save. Instead we treat 24 year olds like babies and let them live in the basement after they finish their worthless degree. Rent is ridiculous, food is outrageous, but if you stay out of debt (and Starbucks every morning), a job at Ford could be a dream.

I personally am thankful for the young people that are giving it a go, and for modern QC at the plants!

I agree college isn’t for everyone, I had my own challenged journey to work through. But please don’t pour on your insecurities about higher degrees and snub those that can’t wrench. The cars we love and the device you are reading this on, to name two of about a billion things, we’re only made possible by very highly educated people. Different is ok, chill.

 

[Q6543]

This is NOT what I see at all.

We have attendance issues because people treat it like a part time job, many get FMLA and only work 2-3 days a week, and then apply for government benefits on top of it.

They literally can’t work their 40-50 hours or they’d lose their SNAP, rental assistance etc.
And it’s a real problem

Need to cut off these government subsidy programs. Workers ARE taking advantage of them.

Another huge issue is medical leave, hurt yourself and take the summer off etc… it’s a shame and it pisses me off.

 

[RobertWins]

I agree college isn’t for everyone, I had my own challenged journey to work through. But please don’t pour on your insecurities about higher degrees and snub those that can’t wrench. The cars we love and the device you are reading this on, to name two of about a billion things, we’re only made possible by very highly educated people. Different is ok, chill.

I am not hating o anyone. I am a highly educated licensed professional myself. In fact my point is that college educated people should not hate on those that are trade educated. And, the device in my hand, while invented by a genius in silicone valley, was probably made by children in a building that was probably not built by a PHD. My point is it takes all kinds.

 

[Zig]

This is NOT what I see at all.

We have attendance issues because people treat it like a part time job, many get FMLA and only work 2-3 days a week, and then apply for government benefits on top of it.

They literally can’t work their 40-50 hours or they’d lose their SNAP, rental assistance etc.
And it’s a real problem

Need to cut off these government subsidy programs. Workers ARE taking advantage of them.

Another huge issue is medical leave, hurt yourself and take the summer off etc… it’s a shame and it pisses me off.

So, the worker is suffering from a socialistic mindset in a capitalistic environment?

 

[jeffnudi]

I agree college isn’t for everyone, I had my own challenged journey to work through. But please don’t pour on your insecurities about higher degrees and snub those that can’t wrench. The cars we love and the device you are reading this on, to name two of about a billion things, we’re only made possible by very highly educated people. Different is ok, chill.

Steve Jobs and Bill gates, two influencers of the very computers that power the devices you reference here did not have college degrees. They were dropouts. Their education was basically self-taught, and their success was owed to their hands-on work. Not menial labor, but hands-on work. There is a huge difference between intelligent and "highly educated." Some of the stupidest people I know are the ones with advanced degrees and no common sense.

 

[D/\rK•650]

This is NOT what I see at all.

We have attendance issues because people treat it like a part time job, many get FMLA and only work 2-3 days a week, and then apply for government benefits on top of it.

They literally can’t work their 40-50 hours or they’d lose their SNAP, rental assistance etc.
And it’s a real problem

Need to cut off these government subsidy programs. Workers ARE taking advantage of them.

Another huge issue is medical leave, hurt yourself and take the summer off etc… it’s a shame and it pisses me off.

Removing those programs all together is not the answer. Maybe there can be restrictions or something. But taking them away completely would be terrible for lots of people trying to get there lives together. Example would be my girlfriend she was homeless and destitute and now still counts on them while in college getting her BA.

 

[Q6543]

So, the worker is suffering from a socialistic mindset in a capitalistic environment?

Yes but most of them don’t think that deeply. They also don’t realize how incredibly good they have it.

Using the SNAP card out of their Louis Vuitton purse. It’s so disconnected.

 

[Ken H.]

No wonder the US is in a mess. Avoiding education and sticking to manual labour! You will all be living in caves again in 20 years....

And yet, we are still the greatest economy in the history of the WORLD. We may be living in caves in 20 years but we will be free. You will be living under Sharia law as slaves.

 

[LouG]

When I was at college (US High School) we were streamed. That's a polite way of saying the dumb arses went to technical subjects and the smart ones went academic. Predetermined outcomes, almost. So I took a mechanics aprenticeship, I doubt I would have stuck with the goal of lawyer or Doctor. I've done OK.
As for immigrants, my parents came here in their teens. My Dad went to work at 13 to help support the family, taught himself English and worked all the hours he could, he skimped on himself to make our lives better. Built a house, built and ran his own businesses. Still skimped to be able to leave us an inheritance. My Mother did piecework sewing from home. She was in her sewing room more than doing housework, or so it seemed.
That's why they were "The Greatest Generation".
I think immigrants do better in new countries because they often come from cultures that were poorer, and sometimes a better work ethic. They were/are highly motivated to succeed to prove themselves.

 

[C.A.R.]

Just read the 12/14 forum which I've read daily since I received my '24 Mustang in '23. I am impressed and I'm in my 80's; haven't been impressed by much lately. I really appreciate the intelligent, reasoned and critical debate concerning education in this country. Personally, I agree with ROBERTWINS' position but everyone's comments were intelligent with no vitriol or insults. Compare that with other platforms! Must be something about the type of person who decides to buy a Mustang.

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