02-12-2011, 07:13 PM
(02-12-2011, 06:04 PM)username Wrote: Regarding Dick's posts, I think there is some truth there about opportunity. I've spent a lot of time in my kids' classrooms over the years. Beginning in kindergarten, I was AMAZED by the number of kids who showed up late, didn't bring in homework, regularly missed school, got in to trouble etc. etc. I've watched those some kids over the years and it just continues and seems to get worse. These kids started out their lives with parents that don't give a fuck about education and don't have any expectations for their kids. Will they be able to go to college? Maybe a community college but hell, they've been brought up to have little regard for school. I agree that at some point, we have to take responsibility for ourselves but I feel badly for these kids--they're fucked from the gate and they don't even know it.
They have teachers in the schools to help them. They don't just leave them to their own devices all day.
Does it make it harder on a person to be raised that way? YES. But it isn't a death sentence. People aren't animals that are bound by their training. We have free will. Any person that desires more or better DOES have the option. Generational poverty isn't written in stone. There are too many success stories of people who rose above the circumstance of their birth and early life and now live productive, happy lives.
It's a trap. If you allow yourself an out, most weak-minded people will take it. If you hold yourself to a higher standard, you can overcome anything. Even if your parents are shit.