Just returned from an amazingly emotional weekend. I attended my ....th High School Reunion from one of DC's top independent schools AND the retirement party of two sistahs who headed the scholarship foundation who financed a great deal of that education. Talk about surreal!
My parents were both considered "blue collar" level workers before they retired. They felt the education of their children was important enough to sacrifice for. My grade school education was probably the single, most expensive investment my parents ever made (I proudly paid my own college loans;-). Even if most of the actual funding came from scholarships and grants, my parents sacrificed their time and energy to apply, get and keep me there until graduation!
Do "working" parents still make those kinds of sacrifices for their children's education? I knew of some folk who were blessed with amazing positions that paid upwards of $75K and when I discussed the independent school option the response was: "That's too expensive!" As I watched their young children with cell phones, every electronic gadget and designer labelled clothing, I said, "Yea, you have a point. Education is so expensive these days."
Do me a favor - if you have a minute. Check out the site below then let me know if it sounds like it's over the top, or if those sound like viable tips that you appreciate as a parent:
http://www.schools2choose.com/
Thanx!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Is Education Still Important to Parents?
Moved by The Creator, Merely posted by CapCity on 10/20/2008
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9 Comments:
Sister,
I am so old school as a parent. I cannot in good conscience do less for my children that what was done for me. My children are understanding that we have high expectations for them...not only academically but as citizens of the world.
I understand exactly what you are talking about. A few years ago I was teaching life skills at Adult Education Center and let me tell the number of kids who were kicked out of the HS environment because of behaviorial issus, or jail sentences, or just dropping out. They ended up at Adult Education Centers trying to get GEDs because they can't get jobs or anything else without some sort of education.
And what scares me more than anything is the lack of parental involvement. I mean just a disregard for education by many many parents.
We are coming upon a generation of children who will not do better or close to better than their parents.
Another scary thing is the numbers of children going to prisons and NOT getting any educations support there. I have seen this first hand. GED classes are mandatory in federal prisons if you do not have HS diploma. But what is the point if you can't read and they offer NO remedial support or tutoring. SHIT!
OK I am done. Yes I am very passionate about this.
Well, we're not parents, but we invested in some college money for our nieces starting when they were four and six years old. With accumulated contributions and interest, one has used it to fund her first year of tuition, and we're hoping the other will soon. So, we care.
It was always very important to learn in our family. It didn't have to be in school, but there were always books - everywhere - and lessons taught whenever the opportunity presented itself.
I fear for the coming generation because so many folks depend upon the government, instead of themselves, for their children's good upbringing. All the school in the world will do no good without a solid foundation from someone loving.
one word
yes
Education is still important. It was always important in my family. I don't have any kids yet but if thangs work out with us CapCity, we'll be saving for our 3.5 kids future soon.
On a serious note, I don't have kids of my own but I do have 2 nieces and 2 nephews.
My brother played college football for a while but didn't finish. My little sister has always been a determined hard worker. While my brother and sister aren't stressing education as much, I constantly encourage my nieces and nephews to think about it now and go ahead and go further than their uncle Jody. I show them my little degrees and tell them I want them to have PHD's hanging on their walls someday. I stress to them that education can still help them get alittle further in life if they use it and their abilities.
I think education is still something we need to push and encourage.
peace
I work with kids and in education/youth development and find that many (not all, but many) parents say and feel that their kids' educations are important but don't honor that with their actions. In some cases it's because they themselves are uncomfortable with navigating the school system, so they rely too much on teachers and administrators. The most successful students are those who've formed a life-long love of learning and that can't be sparked by school alone; it comes from having education valued in word and deed at home, from having someone take the cell phone out of your hand every once in a while and put a book in it (because like it or not, reading is essential to academic success), and from having someone take an interest in what you're learning - even if they don't understand all of it. I think most parents mean well and want the best for their kids; but, as you pointed out, they've confused putting their kids in the "best" clothes and giving them the "best" gadgets with doing what's best for them.
BTW...the site has nice tips and I like how there are tuition resources linked off to the side.
Good post Cap!
My parents made many sacrifices so that I could go to college. Although I was on a football scholarship, they went without a lotta stuff so that I wouldn't suffer. As the parents of 3 sons, my wife and I are doing the same thing. Their education is one of the most important aspects of their lives.
One of the reasons we continue to live in the city is because we love the Charter School our three youngest attend. We are always on top of the College student to give it her all, so yes, it is quite important.
The average joe, has it hard out here. I want my kids to have whatever edge I can offer them.
Sistah Babz - it's definitely a different time. I'm determined not to let it scare me with all the craziness going on...
Suldog - U KNOW i agree that ALL education is good - formal or otherwise...specially since I come from a long line of self-taught folk!
T-dawg - i KNOW that's right!
Jody - Glad to hear that education is important to a talented artist like u:-)
Nicole - u hit the NAIL on the head! That's what's motivating me to start this side-gig, but I hesitate because so few seem to value education - if it requires sacrifice... & thanx 4 checkin' the site;-).
12K - U r a gem, indeed! & u give me hope that education continues to be a priority;-).
Rich - "I want my kids to have whatever edge I can offer them." There may be several Kanye-drop-out success tales from the 'hood, but I know education don't "hurt"... (now, MISeducation ... that's a different topic;-)
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