Are We Failing To Prepare Children For Leadership In the US? 754
Vulcan195 writes "Would you let your three-year-old play with a real saw? You would if you were a parent in Switzerland. Suzanne Lucas (a U.S. mom residing in Switzerland) writes about the contrasts between the U.S. and Swiss ways of instilling wisdom. She writes: 'Every Friday, whether rain, shine, snow, or heat, my three-year-old goes into the forest for four hours with 10 other school children. In addition to playing with saws and files, they roast their own hot dogs over an open fire. If a child drops a hot dog, the teacher picks it up, brushes the dirt off, and hands it back.' She suggests that such kids grow up and lead the ones who were coddled (e.g. U.S. kids) during their early years."
you're all worthless and weak (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Sure... (Score:4, Funny)
I get where you're coming from, but the simple fact of the matter is that I have never worked for a Swiss boss. Ever. I know nobody who has. If they are such great leaders of (US) men, where are they?
Hum, here, in Switzerland... *waving*
Re:Not very new. (Score:5, Funny)
Sure, but what are their Starcraft 2 scores like?
See, there's always a tradeoff. Good health, strong immune system and lifelong leadership skills vs mad Starcraft 2 skillz.... Which is more important?
Hold on, I'm still thinking...
Gap (Score:5, Funny)
Gentlemen, it pains me to tell you this but, we have a lumberjack gap.
Playing with saws is OK (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Guns anyone? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:In the US they call it Scouts. (Score:5, Funny)
And as a parent, I can tell you I'd need a high level of trust in the instructor before I let them take my kids alone into the woods.
Relax. I take a group of kids up to Camp Crystal Lake every year, where we play with chainsaws, large knives, and hockey masks.... nothing bad ever happens in the woods...
Re:you're all worthless and weak (Score:3, Funny)
Freedom Dogs 4eva!
Who's this eva that gets all the dogs?
Re:you're all worthless and weak (Score:5, Funny)
No, they would just run and cry to their obese parents,
Running means exercise, which is healthy. US wins another round. Your move, Switzerland.
Re:totally backwards (Score:2, Funny)
Prozac and Fluoride interact with tinfoil hats in a way that makes the wearer more docile, consumeristic, and entertainable.
There's a website all about it, but I can't look up the link as the Kardashians are on the cable right now.
Re:Not very new. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Path to Leadership in the USA (Score:2, Funny)
Step 1: Have a Rich Family
yeah, like obama
Yes (Score:5, Funny)
My wife is a grade school teacher and sees the results of this coddling. In just one example, she played a math game with her class and gave the winner a small prize. Most of the kids had a lot of fun and learned something too; but what took her by surprise is that some of the kids began crying. She asked them why, and [paraphrased] it was because they'd been raised with the belief that "everyone's a winner." They had never "lost" before, and it was devastating to them / they didn't know how to respond.
Re:Not very new. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Monday Morning Troll (Score:4, Funny)
If we are to preserve this Union of States, then I entreat you to never endure this beautiful land of Majesty becoming enslaved under the yoke of public education, fiat money, or Mooslims. In God we trust; may we also have a nativity scene on the sacred Christian ground of the White House Lawn, in July on the fourth day, which will henceforth be the National day of Rememberence of the Sacrafice of The Lord Of The United States, Yahweh, who died for all of America's brilliance, and rose again to grant us Prosperity and Unlimitted Wishes. On the 8th day, Jesus "Patriot" Christ founded the Liberterian party, of which I am a devout follower, for as Jesus "Patriot" Christ foretold, yee know not the hour nor the day when the Ron Paul shall cometh, but yee musteth be vigellente and strike down the Federalist Reserve all the same. Thus sayeth Jesus "Patriot" Christ, Amen, may the middle east sink into the sands of hell, Amen.
-- Thomas Jefferson, immediately after signing the Constitution of the Christian Libertarian States of America
Re:you're all worthless and weak (Score:4, Funny)
Or even a nobel peace prize [nytimes.com]....
Re:you're all worthless and weak (Score:5, Funny)
Running is easy, just press 'W'.