In Reply to: Are kids different these days? posted by cliff on Sunday, 28. August 2005 at 23:53 Bali Time:
Isn't swimming part of primary school education any more? NO
Don't parents teach their kids to swim any more? NO
Or are they supposed to learn it on their X-Box now? YES
What's going on out there? Nothing like you described.
I'm a school teacher and you'd be surprised (well probably not) that many children as young as 7 go to tutoring a few days a week. They have piano lessons, public speaking lessons, drawing lessons.
At interviews I speak of children with a lack of social skills. Parents ask what course teaches that? I say LET THEM PLAY. Children do not learn how to express themselves, compromise, etc because they are to busy learning important stuff? or watching TV or XBox. Sad but true.
I have many bright children who cannot kick or catch a ball. The parents don't want tro know about this, just what reading level they are on. It's not seen as important.
I have children who cannot stay focussed on their work and the parents say but they can play playstation for hours (perhaps I need flashing lights on my head?).
Now I am generalising of course but there is a lot of it out there believe me.
Your childhood sounds like mine. Our Billy carts had jars on the back with petrol in them with a rag hanging out the back (lit of course). Don't know how we survived some of the stuff we did. Don't tell my kids. SSSHHHH