What Have We Done?

Again, just considering some things from the past few days:

In a book I'm reading, the author contends that today's adults want to be teen-agers forever. This wish, she holds, leads us to dress, behave, etc. like adolescents, not adults. And, she writes, it is leading to the current demise of American culture. Hmmmm.... I was somewhat taken aback that, of current Sponge Robert Square Pants viewers, 23% are those older than 21! And, I think it's a silly thing, not good for kids and not funny enough for adults (as opposed to, say, The Three Stooges!). The author also talked about the clothes current adults wear, the Levis and sweats, backward hats, casual running shoes, etc., being extensions of the desire to remain teen-agers. I really have to think about that one. I wear Levis, sweats, and old running shoes because they are comfortable. She decries the lack of "dressing up" by adults, even in situations "requiring" dress-up. Maybe here I see it. I note at weddings, Chris functions, even funerals how few adults really dress up. Some do wear sweaters and nicer slacks, but few wear suits and ties, nice dresses, etc. And far too many come in sweatsuits (however designer-made!) and worse. My dad always wore a suit and tie to family functions and the above. I will usually wear a tie, always to family holiday gatherings (usually alone), to more formal gatherings and even somewhat less formal affairs. Now, I might have on Levis, but a collared, button-down shirt with a tie is usually the attire for me. I note walking into a school nowadays and seeing so few ties and coats, nicer dresses/pant suits and so many sweatsuits, Levis, etc. I wonder if that is reflective of other, more important matters--and I really think it is.

At the end of our 3rd-grade basketball season, one of our players asked me, "Where are our trophies?" Those who know me know my strong feelings on this--it's garbage of the worst sort. It's very destructive and serves no positive purpose. I don't blame the kid, much. Apparently he didn't remember we won 2 games of 16, that most of our defeats were by 10 points or more, to kids who can't shoot, dribble, rebound--frankly, can't play basketball very well. "Trophes?" Who started this crap, everyone gets a trophy? "Participation trophy" they are called. Hey, I played on three national championship baseball teams and we received black bats with all of our teammates' name emblazoned on them each year--that's it. And for winning state championships each of those years, we received diddly, squat. I don't think we were deprived of anything. Nobody thought anything of it. No wonder some many kids expect their high schools to have million dollar football fields, multi-million dollar field houses, etc. Again, what have we done?

An editorial this AM asked a good question, "How do we want to punish lawbreakers?" He differentiated between those who we fear and those at whom we are angry. I suggest, somewhat opposed to the editorial, that we need to imprison both. The editor thought we might save money by releasing or not even imprisoning nonviolent criminals. I don't like that idea. I might buy into his argument that we might not throw in jail those who otherwise have good records, but have made rash, stupid decisions. He noted that the cost for housing a prisoner each year is $40,000. Whoa! Why so high? I'd love to see a breakdown on costs. What food is given to prisoners? Anything better than hot dogs, sausages, etc.--government surplus--is not necessary and should be stopped forthwith. Do prisoners really get cable television, fitness facilities, opportunities for college degrees (do the professors work for free???), etc.? Why? And what is to stop, as a condition for parole, early release, garnishing wages to repay some of the $40,000 for each year? Why not take $3,000 or even $5,000 a year from these parolees until their total debt has been repaid?

I see where some community and technical colleges are offering guarantees to graduates--if they graduate and don't have jobs within a year, they are refunded their tuition. Well, OK. But, there are far too many variables. Did these graduates really deserve to graduate? Did they get through because, well frankly, as long as students put in their time, they usually get passing grades? Did their instructors hold them to rigorous programs/standards. Or, did they just hand out grades?

That was on my mind last week as I told students about an academic scholarship available to them, with some conditions. Two of the requirements were 2.5 overall GPA and 3.25 GPA in history courses. From what I understand, the 2.5, at least, would not be a concern for anyone, since the average grade at the school is 3.1 (or so I was told). I thought, "Doesn't the benefactor of this scholarship deserve to know that the 2.5 (or even 3.25) GPAs are legitimage?" I'd think so and I guess I'd be about the only one who did. But, that said, I know some top-flight students there who I'd hope would apply--they are deserving.

The next time you are at some little kids' games or activities, watch their parents. These cam be athletic contests or just play in a park. Check to see home many of their parents aren't paying the least attention to what their kids are doing. Note how many are on their cell phones, talking or tweeting or Internet surfing or anything other than giving their kids their attention. Isn't that pathetic? Oh, I again realize I might be the only one who thinks so. But parents can't even forget about themselves for a while and give some attention, real attention, to their kids? Are they so wrapped up in themselves or material things or gadgets or whatever to share in the ultimate joys of watching their kids at play????? Note above about "the death of adulthood," "participation trophies" (oh, I bet the parents are keen on those!), etc.

Out....