article on adolescence

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SlitheryDee

I don't like the idea of paying kids to learn. That might give them the idea that they'll make money as long as they're "busy", rather than making money for producing something of worth to other people.

I like the idea of giving early HS graduates the money they would have cost the state toward later education. Does seem as though that might make our best and brightest even better and brighter while leaving the majority in the dregs though.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
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i don't mind paying them to learn. i was paid for grades and it was a little extra to get good grades.
 

yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
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Yeah so instead of playing, they get to work at mcdeez at 13, great alternative. He cites daniel boone, but seriously, how many 18-22 yr olds actually get anywhere in their careers?
I like how he cites the chinese and indian. Yes let's turn all of us into practical beings made to be productive. Let's see how creative and innovative we'll be then.
49% of twelveth graders have tried illegal drugs.. and i bet 45% of that is marijuana... big whoop.

He probably makes a good point for lower class communities.. but as a whole for the country... ludicrous
 
Dec 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: waggy
i don't mind paying them to learn. i was paid for grades and it was a little extra to get good grades.

The problem with that is it causes people to look for external motivation to do something instead of internalizing that motivation (such as the good feeling you get when you do well).
 

AreaCode7O7

Senior member
Mar 6, 2005
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Kids don't function at the level of adults, but 23 year olds in the workplace don't function on the level of 55 year olds either. We baby adolescents; do we truly think a 17 year old should need permission to go to the bathroom? We coddle teens by not letting them experience the ramifications of their actions; it's your choice to do homework and if you don't do it, you flunk out of school. We expect very little from the teenagers of today. We should be pushing them harder, both academically and in the real work world, and let them understand how competitive life really is. We set them up for failure now. Letting them experience that responsibility earlier in life will make for more successful adults.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
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I agree with giving kids real responsibility like working around the home. I do not believe they need to join the workforce as corporate America will simply reinvent the sweatshop regardless of any restrictions or laws put in place.

What is missing is the supervision and immediate consequences enforced by adults. Between the risk management types bending us over to avoid litigation and the need for both parents to work in today's society, there are no easy answers. Every parent must make their own decision as to what trade offs they are willing to accept.

The problem is that some trade offs involve other members of society in a negative way. Unfortunately, most parents and society are unable to see the larger picture and have no incentives to do so in the short run.
 

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
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Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Kids don't function at the level of adults, but 23 year olds in the workplace don't function on the level of 55 year olds either. We baby adolescents; do we truly think a 17 year old should need permission to go to the bathroom? We coddle teens by not letting them experience the ramifications of their actions; it's your choice to do homework and if you don't do it, you flunk out of school. We expect very little from the teenagers of today. We should be pushing them harder, both academically and in the real work world, and let them understand how competitive life really is. We set them up for failure now. Letting them experience that responsibility earlier in life will make for more successful adults.

There's a lot of truth here.