NYT article on easing academic pressure and a cultural divide

[Anonymous]

My child is very young so no experience with academic pressure, but an interesting article. It describes a cultural divide between white American parents who feel the competitive atmosphere in their NJ school district is toxic, and immigrant parents who value the competitive atmosphere. Not sure what I think. What say you, DCUM?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/26/nyregion/reforms-to-ease-students-stress-divide-a-new-jersey-school-district.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share

[Anonymous]

Behold white privilege.

[Anonymous]

If you're interested in this battle, then you need to read this:
http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trouble-With-Tiger-Culture/144267/

I'm an academic and I read it when it came out last year. I was really shocked by some of the author's claims. He essentially says that childhood is a western concept that people from other cultures don't buy into. He says that Asians think of kids as 'miniature adults' and that they have no problem with assigning a 3 year old homework because that's his job.

It really highlights the cultural divide. I find it troubling that so many people don't believe in childhood. It can't be healthy.

[Anonymous]

My SIL was a pediatrician in that area and she was so disturbed by the parents who would rather drug their kids to handle the pressures that she moved away.

She often asked parents to scale back on school/activities before trying drugs to help their child sleep/cope. The parents would freak out.

The school board is correct in creating a healthy atmosphere and protecting children from their crazy parents.

[Anonymous]

Part of the problem with NJ is that (fair or not) its state schools are poorly regarded by the striving kids there. So they have to look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're interested in this battle, then you need to read this:
http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trouble-With-Tiger-Culture/144267/

I'm an academic and I read it when it came out last year. I was really shocked by some of the author's claims. He essentially says that childhood is a western concept that people from other cultures don't buy into. He says that Asians think of kids as 'miniature adults' and that they have no problem with assigning a 3 year old homework because that's his job.

It really highlights the cultural divide. I find it troubling that so many people don't believe in childhood. It can't be healthy.

"Childhood" is a relatively new concept in this country as well, OP. A hundred years ago children were working in factories and on farms from a very young age. This notion that we should let our kids be footloose and fancy free and unencumbered by pressure and responsibility is rather bourgeois. Only two or three generations ago children WORKED. And they worked HARD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Behold white privilege.

And immigrant parents buying into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're interested in this battle, then you need to read this:
http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trouble-With-Tiger-Culture/144267/

I'm an academic and I read it when it came out last year. I was really shocked by some of the author's claims. He essentially says that childhood is a western concept that people from other cultures don't buy into. He says that Asians think of kids as 'miniature adults' and that they have no problem with assigning a 3 year old homework because that's his job.

It really highlights the cultural divide. I find it troubling that so many people don't believe in childhood. It can't be healthy.

"Childhood" is a relatively new concept in this country as well, OP. A hundred years ago children were working in factories and on farms from a very young age. This notion that we should let our kids be footloose and fancy free and unencumbered by pressure and responsibility is rather bourgeois. Only two or three generations ago children WORKED. And they worked HARD.

Pretty sure that enlightened child labor laws made a difference. Unless you are a just-leave-it-to-the-market Neanderthal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're interested in this battle, then you need to read this:
http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trouble-With-Tiger-Culture/144267/

I'm an academic and I read it when it came out last year. I was really shocked by some of the author's claims. He essentially says that childhood is a western concept that people from other cultures don't buy into. He says that Asians think of kids as 'miniature adults' and that they have no problem with assigning a 3 year old homework because that's his job.

It really highlights the cultural divide. I find it troubling that so many people don't believe in childhood. It can't be healthy.

"Childhood" is a relatively new concept in this country as well, OP. A hundred years ago children were working in factories and on farms from a very young age. This notion that we should let our kids be footloose and fancy free and unencumbered by pressure and responsibility is rather bourgeois. Only two or three generations ago children WORKED. And they worked HARD.

Pretty sure that enlightened child labor laws made a difference. Unless you are a just-leave-it-to-the-market Neanderthal.

Of course child labor laws made a difference. My point is those child labor laws are a relatively new phenomenon culturally speaking.

It also makes sense that all immigrants would push their children -- they bought into the promise of the American dream.

White families already live it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're interested in this battle, then you need to read this:
http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trouble-With-Tiger-Culture/144267/

I'm an academic and I read it when it came out last year. I was really shocked by some of the author's claims. He essentially says that childhood is a western concept that people from other cultures don't buy into. He says that Asians think of kids as 'miniature adults' and that they have no problem with assigning a 3 year old homework because that's his job.

It really highlights the cultural divide. I find it troubling that so many people don't believe in childhood. It can't be healthy.

"Childhood" is a relatively new concept in this country as well, OP. A hundred years ago children were working in factories and on farms from a very young age. This notion that we should let our kids be footloose and fancy free and unencumbered by pressure and responsibility is rather bourgeois. Only two or three generations ago children WORKED. And they worked HARD.

This.

My dad was working in urban America at age 5. He made deliveries six days a week for a fruit vender.

My mother was working at age 8 in the same city. Various jobs.

They were poor kids. Welfare didn't exist yet. No one thought it was child abuse that they worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're interested in this battle, then you need to read this:
http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trouble-With-Tiger-Culture/144267/

I'm an academic and I read it when it came out last year. I was really shocked by some of the author's claims. He essentially says that childhood is a western concept that people from other cultures don't buy into. He says that Asians think of kids as 'miniature adults' and that they have no problem with assigning a 3 year old homework because that's his job.

It really highlights the cultural divide. I find it troubling that so many people don't believe in childhood. It can't be healthy.

"Childhood" is a relatively new concept in this country as well, OP. A hundred years ago children were working in factories and on farms from a very young age. This notion that we should let our kids be footloose and fancy free and unencumbered by pressure and responsibility is rather bourgeois. Only two or three generations ago children WORKED. And they worked HARD.

Pretty sure that enlightened child labor laws made a difference. Unless you are a just-leave-it-to-the-market Neanderthal.

Of course child labor laws made a difference. My point is those child labor laws are a relatively new phenomenon culturally speaking.

It also makes sense that all immigrants would push their children -- they bought into the promise of the American dream.

White families already live it.

Your point is muddled.

[Anonymous]

The Americandream is a bourgeois construction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're interested in this battle, then you need to read this:
http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trouble-With-Tiger-Culture/144267/

I'm an academic and I read it when it came out last year. I was really shocked by some of the author's claims. He essentially says that childhood is a western concept that people from other cultures don't buy into. He says that Asians think of kids as 'miniature adults' and that they have no problem with assigning a 3 year old homework because that's his job.

It really highlights the cultural divide. I find it troubling that so many people don't believe in childhood. It can't be healthy.

"Childhood" is a relatively new concept in this country as well, OP. A hundred years ago children were working in factories and on farms from a very young age. This notion that we should let our kids be footloose and fancy free and unencumbered by pressure and responsibility is rather bourgeois. Only two or three generations ago children WORKED. And they worked HARD.

Pretty sure that enlightened child labor laws made a difference. Unless you are a just-leave-it-to-the-market Neanderthal.

Of course child labor laws made a difference. My point is those child labor laws are a relatively new phenomenon culturally speaking.

It also makes sense that all immigrants would push their children -- they bought into the promise of the American dream.

White families already live it.

Your point is muddled.

Not really. It's not my fault you're slow on the uptake, but my point is clear.

[Anonymous]

This seems like a good argument for differentiation. Those parents who want a Basis-like environment go to one school, those who want a "holistic" experience go to a different school.

[Anonymous]

Actually, the pressure to do too many activities and AP classes has left kids without time to get a job. I think kids should have to work. I rather their be a"work" requirement, in addition to the volunteer hours.