Quote:
Originally posted by SummerChild
It is interesting that the approach posed in many of the replies seem to be primarily from a preaching down, I got mine, this is what they need to do to get theirs. I guess that I just don't think that my getting mine was all about the education that I received.
I often feel like we just forget about the people who are already adults. I only know of the program that helps get moms off welfare and give them business suits, training, etc. Are there any programs for adult men?
On a previous tangent, why do we assume that those who are economically disadvantaged don't want anything better? Or that if they did, then it would be as easy as picking up a book? How many children are being passed from grade X to grade X + 1 by teachers and cannot even read? How many parents would like to help their children with math homework but they don't know how to do it themselves? I've seen this when I tutored in math. Shoot, I have two degrees in EE and sometimes the new way of doing math was a little lost on me. I had to take the kids back to the old way of doing math sometimes.
Why do discussions like these disintegrate into cliches like you can lead a horse to water? What does that have to do with closing the wealth gap? The implication is that the bulk of the economic underclass "refuses to drink." For those on Greekchat who are first-generation college graduates, does the you can lead a horse to water cliche apply to your family *before* you graduated? Those who were the upper class before you graduated and looked at your families from the outside would probably say so. Let us not forget so easily.
SC
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Not sure if I was included in that number of people who came "from a preaching down, I got mine, this is what they need to do to get theirs." mentality, because that was certainly not my intention.
I do believe not delaying gratification is a big thing, but I do believe that part of my role is to help other. I teach a weekly GED class through the community center run by my church and I have 2 -3 consistent students. The class is free, I gave each student my home cell number and encourage them to call me, I break my neck to leave the job that keeps a roof over my head and food in my stomach to go there and do it for free and they won't do their homework, don't half come, etc. Yeah, it's frustrating, especially when I they want to talk about the lack of jobs or opportunities for them. I share stories about the Dave Thomas' of the world (founder of Wendy's), Bill Cosby another others who are successful despite never graduating from HS. These individuals got their GED and because very successful.
There are programs for adult men, as a matter of fact, one of the challenges with the homeless population right now is that many of the services (including education) are geared towards adult men, not women and certainly not women with children.