Black = Education-less?

[Lady of Pearl]

Sadly, education is not valued among our youth as it was stressed to me when I was growing up. Students need to see role models other than entertainers or athletes. I had a discussion regarding this earlier with one of my colleagues about his son who wants to hang on the block with his peers playing basketball. His father is trying to stress the importance of getting an education rather than playing basketball. A lot of those young men will not even make it into the NBA. From his own personal experience - the father played ball in college but got a degree in engineering as well, a lot of his peers later reflected that they wished they had gotten an education like he did so that they would have increased their life chances.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by Lady of Pearl

Sadly, education is not valued among our youth as it was stressed to me when I was growing up. Students need to see role models other than entertainers or athletes. I had a discussion regarding this earlier with one of my colleagues about his son who wants to hang on the block with his peers playing basketball. His father is trying to stress the importance of getting an education rather than playing basketball. A lot of those young men will not even make it into the NBA. From his own personal experience - the father played ball in college but got a degree in engineering as well, a lot of his peers later reflected that they wished they had gotten an education like he did so that they would have increased their life chances.

This is the very reason why we, as parents and guardians, need to monitor our children's friends.

When we moved to our current neighborhood, I asked my son did he know the other kids in our complex that rode the school bus with him. He knew some but did not really hang out, esp with the ones down the block. When I asked him why, he said that they thought reading was dumb; needless to say, I dropped the subject. He is so mature at age 12!

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

This is the very reason why we, as parents and guardians, need to monitor our children's friends.

When we moved to our current neighborhood, I asked my son did he know the other kids in our complex that rode the school bus with him. He knew some but did not really hang out, esp with the ones down the block. When I asked him why, he said that they thought reading was dumb; needless to say, I dropped the subject. He is so mature at age 12!

Your son rocks!

[MzDoctaKay]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

This is the very reason why we, as parents and guardians, need to monitor our children's friends.

When we moved to our current neighborhood, I asked my son did he know the other kids in our complex that rode the school bus with him. He knew some but did not really hang out, esp with the ones down the block. When I asked him why, he said that they thought reading was dumb; needless to say, I dropped the subject. He is so mature at age 12!

WOW! He is! Most boys his age are very easily influenced by their peers! You did a fantastic job with him!

[Lady of Pearl]

I'm glad that your son was able to extricate himself from those peers who thought reading is dumb. We must encourage our children to make right choices. The question becomes then how can we stress education more to parents and children. I often joke to others that there should be a Parent Accountability Act rather than NCLB!

[MzDoctaKay]

Originally Posted by Lady of Pearl

Sadly, education is not valued among our youth as it was stressed to me when I was growing up. Students need to see role models other than entertainers or athletes. I had a discussion regarding this earlier with one of my colleagues about his son who wants to hang on the block with his peers playing basketball. His father is trying to stress the importance of getting an education rather than playing basketball. A lot of those young men will not even make it into the NBA. From his own personal experience - the father played ball in college but got a degree in engineering as well, a lot of his peers later reflected that they wished they had gotten an education like he did so that they would have increased their life chances.

A slight deviation from the topic, but CERTAINLY a strong point to consider. In scouring over notes in reference to my family tree, I saw evidence of how strongly my ancestors pushed for their children (especially their sons) to attend college. And it was remarkable to live up to the standards of the likes of say for instance, W.E.B DuBois...... While there's nothing wrong with dreaming and placing excellence in every area of interest (be it sports or the arts), I agree that it makes sound sense to try to guarantee that you're "employable" with a CAREER that does not depend on a contract and a doctor's nod.