Wow, what a great thread and read!
After reading all the posts, I, at various points, thought I'd post this, or then that, and then again something else again.
A lot of great points, in spite of disagreements. Disagreements make the world better, if a person is willing to listen to both sides, and perhaps be swayed one way or the other. But that is another skill lost in the mix today it seems (see government). I love being swayed to the other side of my thinking, with facts and explanations. It means I've learned something.
Heated Arguments are usually opinionated, and non-productive, resulting in bull headed, back boned, going to stick to my guns, no matter what, attitudes. But a heated civil discussion, can and will produce, enlightened people on both sides of issue.
The volunteering to teach older skills to younger people is a great idea, and I am all for it. Never thought of volunteering to do something like this at a school.
Maybe now I will, if I come up with something worthwhile, that I know first hand works. Or I will just continue trying to influence those around me, and let them influence their kids.
I was born too late to learn from Grandparents. Learn what little I do know from Mom and Dad.
Dad was lacking a bit in his skills, as well as teaching. LOL Learned gardening, canning, cooking, processing meat, from my Mom. But I only learned a tenth of what I should have, if I'd payed attention more when young.
But even with volunteering our time to demonstrate a skill at schools and such, we will never reach all the kids. But it is worth the effort if you can get the school to allow it.
It must be taught at home, and, sad to say, it isn't often taught at home. Be it killing chickens, scalding & plucking, then singeing, then cutting it up and cooking for tonight dinner, or just something simple like a budget and planning, or planting flowers. It HAS to start at home!
Kids will be interested in a show and tell, but they will mostly only remember when so-in-so showed us something to do with...(insert anything here).
Now there is nothing wrong with show and tell. It just may activate a gene down the line later, to get them to learn on their own. That is the goal.
Case for instance: Two of my wife's kids, raised on a farm grew into adulthood, and started their own family's. One set of grand kids are very loving, and self reliant and hard working. I think even the 10 year old could survive with a 22, and a knife for a night or two lost in the woods.
The other set of grandkids would starve if McDonald's closed on Christmas Day.
It's all in the upbringing.
But it is very tuff to do this instructing, at a school in the USA now. A few weeks ago my grand kids was telling me all of the words they were forbidden to speak or write in school.
I was astounded! It is pure crap! If a 10 year old says kill, gun, terrorist in a sentence, he gets expelled. And they had about 50 more words that I can't remember. It's nuts!
They have to study harder to remember the banned words, than they do their regular studies. Really! What if you slip up and use a banned word? Kiss college good by!
And this is in a very small community school. I can't imagine the bigger cities rules.
So for a kid to come into class and explain that this summer at grandpa's, I learned how to chop off a chickens head to kill it, scald it, pluck it, and cut it for dinner. And be proud of their accomplishment, is impossible!
They also couldn't explain how to cut up a chicken from a market. It would use the word "knife".
I suspect the punishment for an adult would be more severe than expulsion from school. LOL
I'm 69, and it is a different world now. Saddens me very much, but don't know how we can change it back to a more common sense country.
The younger than 50 folks seem content to let anything happen, and believe lies without any research, and vote for who looks good, and etc.
I fear for our country, and my grand and great grandkids. My Mom also feared for the same. She died 5 years ago at over 100 years. So she would know.
With a few creative ideas you can feed a family of 4 with a can of Spam and a few dried beans. Canning when you could and so on. Anyone find a way to pass these things on? Most kids think veggies come from a can and many city kids have never seen a live cow. I just don't feel we have the opportunity to pass these things to the younger generations. Schools certainly would not allow us to show how to skin a rabbit. Just curious if someone has found a way to pass on the skills. Keep Smokin!
