An idea for the school systems...

[hawgheaven]

Not rilly on the smoking topic, but I have been thinking about this... I think alot of kids could benefit from it.

When I was in high school (yes, there were such things way back then), we had some classes called electives, which included Home Economics, Shop, and a few others I can't think of. Of the kids that elected one of these courses, the guys took Shop, and the girls took Home Ec.

I don't know how schools are set up now with these classes, or if they are offered at all. My thoughts are, make both of these classes manditory for both sexes. Everyone should learn the basics of setting up a household and definitely learn how to cook. In the same vein, everyone should learn the basics of using tools, making repairs and being able to figure out that a screwdriver is not only a drink.

Part of the Home Ec course should periodically include working in the school kitchen, helping to prepare meals and learning what a sink is for. Part of the Shop class should periodically include working with the maintenance crew repairing things around the school that have been broken and learning how to mow grass.

Why did I post this you ask? Because I believe today's youth needs a good eye opener into learning basic survival skills and respect for others. There's alot of kids in my area who don't know a door hinge from a blender, and what's even sadder, they don't care.

Okay, I'm all done now...

 

[ba_loko]

Preach on, Brother! I agree with you 100%. My sister routinely repairs their dishwasher, dryer, etc. because her husband was never taught how to do those things. We're afraid to give him a pocket knife because he'd likely hurt himself.

He's a great guy, bust just never was taught the very things you're saying in your post.

Unfortunately, due to financial cut backs, these types of classes (electives) are the first to disappear from their curriculum.

 

[flattop]

I agree completely. Unfortunately the schools in my area have taken away the shop classes for the most part. I don't think there are any more automotive classes anymore.

Nowadays kids get their licenses and only know how to put gas in the tank and go.......... fast. They just reported that a 10th teenager in the area has died. This is the 10th kid to loose their life to to spped and inexperience in the last 2 1/2 weeks.

 

[hawgheaven]

Yeah, I know... but if they were manditory instead of electives, then build it into the school tax budgets.

 

[geek with fire]

I like where you are going, but I'm afraid that would only perpetuate the existing problems, my friend. Now a days, parents are relying on too many outside influences to take care of their kids; when they need to be getting more involved in the first place! We opted to put our kids in a private school that operates only 3 days a week. The 2 off days, momma home schools the kids. We chose this so we could be actively involved with their education; and have been blessed with great results thus far. One of our first worries when we chose this route is that the school doesn't offer special elelectives like home-ec and shop. But you know what, I took both classes in school and I still think my dad did a better job teaching me how to fix and build stuff, and I learned more about cooking in one day from Granny than my entire time in home-ec.

Don't get me wrong, I'm with you on the front of giving more to our kids; this is just how we choose to get involved.

 

[shellbellc]

I'm not sure if they are still in our high school. These weren't electives when I was in, they were minors and the boys were made to take home ec and girls shop, I think it was only one marking period though. We have a vo-tech school here where they can choose to go their entire Sr year. They have carpentry (last year they built a house and moved it down to New Orleans), electronics, mechanic, computer, culinary, cosmetology, audio/visual, and a few others I can't think of. These classes are for the kids who don't see college in their future, gives them a trade to go out into the world with.

As for me and my house, my 13 year old son has been in charge of a meal occasionally since he was 8. Anything around the house that needs fixin, he's helping..

 

[placebo]

Good points Geek. I think about this stuff quite a bit also. I think the reason we as parents are constantly looking to outside sources when our kids are concerned is because more often than not both parents need to work in order to make ends meet. So time quickly becomes a very valuable resource. I think Hawg's idea is spot on and the classes should be mandatory. Let our youth lose sight of the basics and we are going to be in some big trouble down the road.

 

[glued2it]

Back when I was growing up.......not all that long ago.
We didn't have much money and had do things are self.
If the sink broke well that was dad's plumbers but hanging out and me handing him wrenches.
We needed to eat mom(or dad) was cooking, I was peeling potatoes.
When I complained I was told well what are you going to do when your out there on your own?
If I said hire a plumber, I picked myself off the floor and handed him wrench.

I learned how to do stuff on my own and now that I'm grown. I have a better out look on life and when something breaks I fix it. If i don't know how I google it! (i guess some things do change) however It leaves more money to do the thinks I like to do (smoke meat for one) and have the money for the things I need.

I'll all for it hawg! I hear in some countries 1yr min military service is mandatory. Not a bad idea either!

 

[hawgheaven]

Well, I know it isn't a perfect "solution", and in some cases, won't do much good. All I know is, I am sooo glad I got to take Shop, both metal and wood. I couldn't take the Home Ec class because I had chosen Shop... hey, it was the sixties... go figure.

I learned alot from my Dad and Grandpa with the tool and repair end of things, and my Mom and Grandma were my guiding lights in the kitchen. Nothing can ever replace that guidance, but there are tons of kids out there that don't have that luxury. Plus, I am sure their are a bunch out there that do have that luxury, but don't take advantage of it.

I guess what got me going on this is the fact I will soon have 14 grandkids. Their Mommies and Daddies either are teaching or will teach them well, I am sure, but there are certain skills they cannot teach them (one of my SILs has the "Doorhinge or Blender" syndrome...).

I guess Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop are gonna be REAL busy!

 

[homebrew & bbq]

I was a teacher for 13 years... last year was 1999. At that time I was teaching in a middle school (jr. high). At that time at least some of the things you are talking about were taught to 7th and 8th graders. There was a rotation. I don't remember whether it was by quarter or by semester. But it included Family and Consumer Science (Home Ec) and Industrial Technology (shop).

The kids learned sewing, preparing meals, shop safety and basic woodworking. There was probably more but I was teaching math and didn't keep track of all the details of other areas.

This was in Lincoln, Nebraska so it might be different in other parts of the country.

I do know that many of the high schools have discontinued classes in auto mechanics. If you're lucky they still have something on small engines, but a lot of the focus has turned to things like CAD and other newer technologies.

 

[ajthepoolman]

I was helping my son with History homework last night. He was trying to find some Spanish dudes name who kicked Inca butt back in the 1400's or so. I found myself asking, "Why do our kids need to know this stuff?"

I mean, why are we wasting time teaching 5th graders about events that happened 600 years ago? Sure, the discovery of the Americas is a significant thing, but wait til high school and then even at that, spend about a week on it then move on.

My son's history book ends with 1989. Bush Sr. is the sitting president in his book. No Clinton, no Bush Jr., no 9/11 or technology boom or any of that stuff. Why focus on events that happened 600 years ago if our kids aren't going to have time to learn about the amazing events of the last 100 years?

I do want to say that the Shop class I had in high school is probably the best class I have ever taken anything away from. We learned the basics of the engine and even built a drag car (73 Nova). The area the shop was in is now an expanded locker room. Wood shop, gone. Mechanics, gone. But they are probably still learning about some obscure guy who landed in present day Panama and discovered the mosquito.

They should be learning the history of more modern events. They should be required to take courses that explain the evils of loans and credit cards and how they ruin many families. They should learn how to balance a budget for when they are out of the house.

 

[meowey]

The school where I teach requires that all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders take both "shop" and "home-ec", although we don't call them that anymore!

Take care, have fun, and do good!

Regards,

Meowey

 

[navionjim]

I have mixed feelings about this. Most of the privileged children in my neighborhood spend all their time on their cell phones or drinking Starbucks. They think nothing of spending $20 and you can't find one of them willing to mow your lawn. I worked my entire life but that concept seems lost on the kids today.

I think the schools should provide exposure to all manor of trade and life experience but it has to start in the home first. As an ex-pilot and current engineer I can tell you that there are many people who don't know a standard from a phillips screwdriver much less a #1 from a #2. Even worse they shouldn't be trusted with a screwdriver to start with. I work with some very intelligent individuals who can barely tie their own shoes, so I suppose mechanics or even cooking skills are to a degree inherent. Some will always lack certain ability's but may excel at other things. Exposure to as many different avenues as possible would be my suggestion. Eventually something will come along that tickles the fancy. But you have to get these lazy kids off the couch first. JMHO
Jimbo

 

[hawgheaven]

Thanks for all the great responses! This is just something I have been worried/thinking about for awhile, all of your input is helping me from declaring myself nuts...

 

[rip]

Our kids home school, we live in the country so they have learned to cook, hunt, fish, build and have manners or they know that butt will get busted. our 15 year old boy will start collage this spring and our 13 year old girl wants to be a vet. I agree 100% kids need to learn these things. But our public schools are not going to teach them any of this it is up to the parents. I remember FFA in school but they did away with that too.

 

[richoso1]

I'm good with HawgHeaven and glued2it, I had woodshop, metalshop, and autoshop. My buddy got a call from his youngest who is in H.S., her and her date got a flat tire on the road and he didn't know how to change the tire. College guys can't change spark plugs, or use a circular saw. They may have gained an education... but they lost some of life's survival techniques. I guess most people think that now I'm an old grump... but just ask me how to install a set of brakes without driving to a brake shop. Nuff said,.

 

[homebrew & bbq]

Speaking as a former teacher, I wish I had had you folks as the parents for my students. I agree there are things that need "fixed" with our schools, but when I was in the classroom I often found myself stuck between doing my job, following the guidelines the schools gave me and keeping parents happy.

So many of the things getting put into school curriculum now is about teaching tolerance and taking up the slack for parents who don't have time to be bothered with what's happening with their kids. There are LOTS of great parents out there, but there are also plenty of ones who are sure that their 12-year-old would never do anything wrong.

Sorry if this turned into a bit of a rant. That wasn't my intent. Just trying to put in a good word for teachers and schools. They're both often impacted by too many folks who want things their way without really caring about the long-term impact on the kids.

Shutting up now.

 

[dingle]

All I know is that I had to take Home Ec. To this day I make a mean Grilled cheese sandwich. It's made the same way I was taught in that class. I love to cook (and eat) and I owe it to that class and Gramma!

 

[richoso1]

Homebrew & BBQ, I need to state my position more clearly. I did not intend to blame any one, just stating the current condition of some young folks. Between my wife and I, we have several family members in education, and they usually respond with the fact that what is being taught is dictated by budget. This may not be right, but it is the controlling factor in So. Cal. I understand your position and I agree with you.

 

[deejaydebi]

I don't think we have Shop or Home ec anymore either unless you go to trades school to be a mechanic or a chef. When I was a kid giels only took home ec but guys could take home ec if they had big ones to take the razing. Girls could not take shop.

I work with lot of young enginers 20 to 30 yrea old range) who I don't think had shop either. I take about my home projects like gutting a room and re-wiring and hanging sheetrock etc, The guting the bathroom (which I still haven't finished), ripping out all the pumbing and putting in PEX etc. and they catch me alone as ask if I'll come over and show them how to do these things. Not in front of the other guys mind you - and PLEASE don't tell the guys! Funny.

I wouldn't let my boy take driver ed until he changed all my tires, oil, plugs and plug wires, filters, fuses and easy belts and hoses. He was 18 I think when I felt he was ready, saved up all his insurance money and had a good down payment for a new car. Funny thing is - his first car didn't have a real jack it has this funny thing kind of like a sizzor jack that slipped into a hole in the side of the car - we BOTH had to read the book to figure out what the heck to do with it!

MAKE the time to teach your kids you won't regret it!