Thursday, July 31, 2008

Are we teaching socialism to our children?

I got the list of school supplies yesterday, for my kindergarten age daughter. It was faxed to a friend who in turn called me with the list. I was bit suprised to see that the kindergarten teachers do not want anything labeled this year. Last year, when my son started kindergarten at the same school, everything had to be labeled with his name. Right down to the last pencil. This year, they want these things to come to school unlabeled and they will be distributed as needed. Problem is, you know some kids will come to school with sub-par school supplies. There is nothing worse than a cheap box of crayons. I was an artist in my former life, and cheap crayons suck. They are too waxy and don't produce vibrant colors. Cheap glue, thats even worse. They specify Fiskars scissors, which run about $3 a pair, but what about the kid who brings in dollar store ones that don't cut. Is my child gonna get stuck with those, along with crap crayons and non-sticky glue? Ok, let it be know that I am not a stingy person. I would be the first to buy a child a box of crayons or anything else they may need to start school. I am just that kind of person. But is if fair to make the kids who bring in the good stuff use the crappy stuff just because someone was too cheap to take care of their kids? Worse yet, what is the school system teaching these kids who don't have supplies and know that they will be taken care of? As my husband put it, it is teaching the kids socialism. No matter what, you will be taken care of. I know that teachers sometimes have to step up and buy things for the kids that don't have much. That is not fair either. Life is expensive these days. The schools should foot the bill for that, not the teachers. I know that is probably why they chose to work the supplies that way this season, but it is not fair to those of us who work hard for what we have with no goverment assistance. If the teachers need parents who have more than someone else to help out a bit, they just need to ask. I would gladly throw in another box of $.20 crayons for a child in need. But lets not teach our children that they will aways be taken care of in the schools. These are more than likely kids that already come from families that are receiving all sorts of government assistance (you really really don't want me to elaborate on that one) where things are handed to them, so are we teaching them more of the same? The main issue here is that socialism rewards failure and people will become complacant if there is no pressure to succeed. Is this what we want for our children? Neal Boortz has a piece on this, check out "Marx in the Classroom" here. Anyone have feeling on this out there? Let me hear from you!!

7 comments:

Karen said...

Jennifer, I was talking to my SIL about this earlier. I agree with you--I don't like that system at all! I, too, would be more than happy to buy things for a student in need--and nice things, too--but let my child use the things bought for her. Preach on, sister!

35 and holding said...

girl, i have definitly been on a soapbox this week, haven't i?? We may write a letter to the school voicing our opinion. BUT, at the same time, you don't want to label your child... hmmm, what to do. Is your sis a teacher?

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen said...

Hey--yes, it's my brother's wife, Anne. She was a full-time elementary teacher before they had their second little girl. She is tutoring now and will be going back to teaching. :o)

Sarah said...

What about how this is not teaching your child responsibility. Your child won't have to learn how to take care and keep up with her school supplies. Everyone loses in this situation because children don't learn responsibility and not everyone contributes. There are organizations out there that will provide school supplies, our church did last year, it is just that parents need to seek that out, but then that takes effort and there are a whole lot of parents out there who don't care.

35 and holding said...

AMEN Sarah! Thanks for that point that I overlooked!! You hit the nail on the head. Chris said he is going to write a letter to the school about this.

Pointless Agitator said...

Read: Socialism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Michael Newman. It is only 144p and that will answer weather or not you child is being taught socialism. I don't want to spoil it,but no.