God in the Classroom?

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Yeah they had vocational when I went, but the whole 'machine' was set up for college prep.

I think a lot of European countries have a test at a certain age that determines which kind of school you go to.

Pete

Right. But unfortunately, certain students, (idiots and troublemakers) were "encouraged" to go to vocational school. Which created a problem for those of us who chose to go. My parents and teachers tried to talk me out of it. I should have listened.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Yeah they had vocational when I went, but the whole 'machine' was set up for college prep.

I think a lot of European countries have a test at a certain age that determines which kind of school you go to.

Pete

One reason why these "vo-tech" programs work better in Europe is that the trades aren't stigmatized there as they are here.

John

[ebacon]

Originally Posted by Boreas

One reason why these "vo-tech" programs work better in Europe is that the trades aren't stigmatized there as they are here.

John

Exactly.

I think it's a shame that we stigamtize the people that actually do the work instead of just talking about it.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Boreas

One reason why these "vo-tech" programs work better in Europe is that the trades aren't stigmatized there as they are here.

John

Which was kind of the point I was trying to make in my last post. The "Vo-Tech" schools, in Ohio at the time, were being used by some districts as a dumping ground for hard cases. Which ruined it for the rest of us. I'm guessing the attitude was founded in the belief that trades are for lowlifes and halfwits anyways. And, then we wonder why "workmanship" is lacking in this country?

Regards,
Dave

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Which was kind of the point I was trying to make in my last post. The "Vo-Tech" schools, in Ohio at the time, were being used by some districts as a dumping ground for hard cases. Which ruined it for the rest of us. I'm guessing the attitude was founded in the belief that trades are for lowlifes and halfwits anyways. And, then we wonder why "workmanship" is lacking in this country?

Regards,
Dave

The assumption here seems to have always been that "manual labor" was for the weak of mind and the strong of back. Historically, it has been the work of slaves and recent immigrants who, as we all know, aren't all that bright, not quite human.

John

[piece-itpete]

It's the shape of their heads.

Pete

[d-ray657]

I do a lot of work with people in the building trades, and it amazes me the spatial vision that those people have. They are able to see a flat piece of sheet metal and visualize the part that it will become - and how many sheets of it will be needed to become a system of duct-work. I suppose my wife does the same thing with a piece of fabric. Me - trying to win an argument is the best I can do with abstract thought.

Regards,

D-Ray

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Boreas

The assumption here seems to have always been that "manual labor" was for the weak of mind and the strong of back. Historically, it has been the work of slaves and recent immigrants who, as we all know, aren't all that bright, not quite human.

John

Indeed. Germany has a vocational training system that is the envy of the world. Part of the reason, I believe, is that all forms of work, be it laborer or lawyer, have dignity there. Here, blue collar work is a job, whereas white collar is a profession.

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Ranting to 16 year old unwed mothers about their lack of parenting skills probably isn't the answer though.

I was assuming a dearth of 16 year old unwed mothers on this forum made it a safe place to rant.

[whell]

Originally Posted by Boreas

This is truly pathological. Everything you assert about the Depression is romanticized treacle and everything you say about the present is cynical carping.

Nuff sed.

John

My post neither romanticized nor expressed cynicism. I'll just consider the source of the above comments. Nuff said.