Thread: The loss of basic skills in school

Teachers these days (at least in the U.S.) are pretty much relegated to teaching to the test. We don't teach our kids history. We don't teach our kids civics. We don't teach them critical thinking. Most have trouble recording three rational thoughts on paper (without using texting shorthand.) We don't teach them the skills they need at the next level. And heaven forbid there is frank and honest discussion about anything in the academic environment (someone might be offended.) We teach them to pass the state mandated basic skills test. In most cases this means that they can read, write, and do basic math nothing more.

More profoundly disturbing is what the prevailing social environment teaches children. It goes something like this:
1. You are the most important thing in the world
2. By virtue of simply being you are entitled to whatever it takes to make you happy.
3. Life is fair and everyone's outcomes are equal
4. The rest of the world is obliged to make sure that you are entertained, happy and comfortable at any given point in time.
5, Don't bother with considering consequences, there are none. Whatever makes you happy must be good, right?
6. If you're ever sad, uncomfortable, hurt, disappointed or don't get exactly what you want get counseling or a prescription for happy pills.

It's almost laughable that we lament the fact that these people seem unable to function independently in the real world.