11-07-2015, 01:33 PM
(11-07-2015, 07:57 AM)BmorePat87 Wrote: I rest my case. You've posted on here long enough for me to see how little you understand regarding politics and history. Let's get real for a second: I am actually certified to teach (and employed to do so) these topics in the state with the best schools in our country, so it's safe to say I can actually judge you on these things. I know kids who are much more intelligent than you. I know kids who are more intelligent than I am. Maybe they don't have the same content knowledge as me, but give them 4 years in college and they will.
This is why I laugh every time someone tries to write off all teenagers as "idiots" or "a series of bad decisions waiting to happen" or "not capable of making decisions not based on emotion" or always "trying to look cool". Some fall into this category. Those same ones will still be like this when they are 18. They're also not likely to vote. Some also are intelligent, rational young adults passionate about the world around them and their education. When I sit with them 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week, I see this. We get to talk about some deep shit in my classes, and what they respond with can be astounding.
So take it from someone who has taught hundreds of teenagers, you need to stop thinking of them all as dumb asses. It's usually the ones who are treated like that who end up being dumb asses. Treat them like young adults and they'll rise to your expectations.
I have also taught many teenagers. And yes rising to your expectations if you treat them like adults is a nice bumper sticker. But the reality is that you need to give them narrow choices.
Do you give adults narrow choices? Or do you let adults decide for themselves? The whole statement of "treat them like adults" sounds nice and it's a good platitude but if we treat them like adults we would give them unlimited choices and allow them to come and go as they please.
who actually thinks that is a good thing for teenagers?
