2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

I have an ignoramus question: If they aren't teaching history, geography, home economics (cooking & sewing), woodworking and drafting, what are they teaching instead? To my way of thinking cooking & sewing are essential to both men and women. They're not subjects that are gender sensitive as we all need to eat and know how to sew a button on or mend a tear in our clothing rather than toss it out. School is supposed to teach us how to survive on our own not just how to make enough money for take-out.

Kraken Loc: Barry's Bay

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

If Dad and Mom are both working . . . and that seems to be the direction we are going (if we are not already there) . . . who is going to be at home to teach the kids all these things (apparently) not being taught now at school? When Mom (especially her) and Dad are home from work and just finishing cooking dinner, washing the dishes, etc., etc., etc. they are probably too tired to do any more.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

In defense of the lack of geography knowledge, a significant number of countries have been absorbed, divided and /or renamed from the time I was in school to the present. It may not be some people's top priority.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Great story. I wonder what Cotondog, from Saskatchewan thinks of this. I never have had any trouble understanding him. My favorite thing from that provinence. Outside the small town of Biggar, Saskatchewan is this sign "New York City is Big, But We're Biggar"

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Amen. I think what people really want is for their children to return home from school with the parent's prejudices confirmed. Also many, both parents and students, have forgotten that one of the most effective way to learn many things involves a butt in a chair and elbows on the table.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

In order for the kids to learn, the parents really have to take some of the responsibility.

In order to learn to cook, the parents have to allow the kid to use the kitchen. The knives. The stove. The oven. The dishwasher (or how to wash/dry).

In order to learn to manage money, the parents have to exchange allowance for chores (and act as the boss to ensure the chores get done correctly).

In order to learn to maintain a home, the parents have to strongly encourage the kids to get involved in maintenance activities. Changing the toilet paper roll. Changing the light bulbs. Changing the filter bag on the vacuum cleaner. Getting a new bar of soap when the old one is too thin to use effectively. Washing some windows.

These things are what I experienced from my parents when I was a kid, and I came out perfect as a result. (It didn't hurt that my father owned a hardware store and I learned early how to cut a piece of glass to size and replace a window, rewire a toaster or lamp, patch a hole in a wall, use an axe or a chainsaw without cutting off anything unintentially).

Yes, there is risk in any of these activities. The kids have to learn to recognize risk and avoid bad consequences.

PS: I have been male all my life. That did not prevent me from learning at least something about how to cook, sew, wash. I took a typing course in a room full of girls. No guys were interested. That skill has been very useful to me. In my opinion, a Real Man can do whatever is necessary.

DickC Loc: NE Washington state