Response to Shawn’s “Children Will Learn…”
If only the "best" choices meant the "happiest" choices for youth. Competition and money are incredible factors in traditional education, and you can catch these themes in things like the President's speeches about the matter, or the way youth talk about why they want to go to college. I have taken time to think about how I would raise a youth when the time comes. I mostly consider democratic schools or unschooling, but I doubt I would have the opportunity to engage my kids. I am beginning to notice that parents don't "roam" as youth do. They don't have the time, most of them because they are in the system of competition and financial gain that is being currently perpetuated. Many people have gone to school to become marketable and sell their labor so that they can have enough money--rather than time--to get their kids ready for the same situation, the workforce. This early in my life I wonder if I can avoid this system, but I can't see a way out.
Posted in on Aug 01, 2010 - 09:14 PM
In "Children Will Learn, With or Without a Structured Education," you bring up many things I try to process in my mind every day.If only the "best" choices meant the "happiest" choices for youth. Competition and money are incredible factors in traditional education, and you can catch these themes in things like the President's speeches about the matter, or the way youth talk about why they want to go to college. I have taken time to think about how I would raise a youth when the time comes. I mostly consider democratic schools or unschooling, but I doubt I would have the opportunity to engage my kids. I am beginning to notice that parents don't "roam" as youth do. They don't have the time, most of them because they are in the system of competition and financial gain that is being currently perpetuated. Many people have gone to school to become marketable and sell their labor so that they can have enough money--rather than time--to get their kids ready for the same situation, the workforce. This early in my life I wonder if I can avoid this system, but I can't see a way out.
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Shawn Strader
Aug 05, 2010 - 05:44 PM
I like your post Zuleika.
Sometimes it is definitely hard to see a way out, or around situations that seem to inevitably be making a way into our lives. It seems especially difficult considering how important our media and culture makes money, material possession, and financial success out to be.
I think that what brings me comfort in regards to the future, is thinking about what is going to be important when I have children, as well as what I think is important now. If one is to opt out of the financial-super-success craze, one has to accept that they cannot have everything that is available for us to have.
For me, it is fathomable to live a life where I can engage with my children. The things that are dear to me are health, community support, a loving family, and shelter. And those things are easily attainable for me, as they don’t take a lot of money. There are a few things that are luxuries to me, such as playing music, and traveling long distances via car, or airplane, but those are things that if need be, I could go without.
I suppose that finding balance is what is key, for me.
Sometimes the future seems so distant, and sounds so hard. But you can only do what you can do. And you seem like a very thoughtful, and reasonable person. I have no doubt that your future will be delightful, and will come to be in a way that you appreciate, and love.
And if you want to roam as children do, I bet you will. Just know what is important to yourself, and let those motives guide you.