General Discussion

mainer

(12,542 posts)

83. Are kids stupider these days, or what?

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 11:35 AM

Apr 2016

When I attended California public schools as a kid, by the age of 12, I (and most of my classmates) had learned cursive as well as blind- typing, a foreign language, and I could read music and play two instruments. This was all offered and taught in my elementary school.

But now, our poor little kids are just too -- what, dumb? too busy? -- to learn those skills. First we decided that music was unnecessary in schools. Then we decided foreign languages weren't mandatory. And these have been replaced with what, exactly? Are our kids any more able to cope with the job market?

The young brain is amazingly elastic and able to absorb so much. Instead of filling it with knowledge, the current philosophy is to make it "easier" for them in school.

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I Just Learned That They Don't Teach Cursive Writing In Schools These Days..... [View all] global1 Apr 2016 OP

I believe it is decided by each state. It should be taught, in my opinion. Deuce Apr 2016 #1

It is FOR SURE Taught in Private schools that offer an elite education Chiquitita Apr 2016 #111

I don't think it's every school, but LisaM Apr 2016 #2

Yep. I found that out because of my grandkids. I was horrified. Punkingal Apr 2016 #3

I can't remember the last time I had to read anything in cursive bhikkhu Apr 2016 #4

Sure, that is now for you, but TM99 Apr 2016 #7

It would be a trivial level of ignorance bhikkhu Apr 2016 #53

What a shame not being able to read archives or old diaries mainer Apr 2016 #85

they could get translated once. I am more interested what is going to happen to signing things. hollysmom Apr 2016 #101

You make it sound as if it's absolutely impossible Mariana Apr 2016 #193

As the son of an English TM99 Apr 2016 #132

I'm a history professor. a la izquierda Apr 2016 #227

When did you stop handwriting letters? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2016 #148

I've hand written many letters, essays, various things over the years bhikkhu Apr 2016 #171

If they don't the time to teach children to write, then what are they teaching them? braddy Apr 2016 #5

Usually it's displaced by keyboarding and a basic comp. sci. curriculum. Chan790 Apr 2016 #48

What does every American need to learn about the computer, don't we do that on our own, at home? braddy Apr 2016 #55

I can put it like this. Chan790 Apr 2016 #73

You just described wood shop, or the automotive class, besides, by that time surely you could write? braddy Apr 2016 #77

K-5th? Chan790 Apr 2016 #79

We don't need all humans to learn how to write programming, just as we didn't need all of them to braddy Apr 2016 #81

No, but we do need them to be able to thrive in an increasingly-computerized world. Chan790 Apr 2016 #82

8-year-olds are not learning to program mainer Apr 2016 #88

That's what I am saying...they are. Chan790 Apr 2016 #89

Yes they are. That's the best age to start them. nt hack89 Apr 2016 #115

Learning how to turn on your computer is something that you can learn at home on your own braddy Apr 2016 #90

I think that "play time" is not introducing the skills in question. Chan790 Apr 2016 #94

Learning to write is extremely important, using a computer is something you do naturally and on braddy Apr 2016 #100

you mean while living in your car? hollysmom Apr 2016 #102

I have no idea what that is supposed to mean, or be about. braddy Apr 2016 #107

well, interestng you question your self, but if you were referring to me, hollysmom Apr 2016 #142

Computers and smart phones are ubiquitous, we don't need to eliminate the ability to write, for braddy Apr 2016 #143

and those with out them, Screw then? hollysmom Apr 2016 #144

Libraries are pretty good at filling that need. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #202

as part of budget cutting in some states, the libraries are going the way of the dinosaur. hollysmom Apr 2016 #216

And they dont all need to know how to write cursive Travis_0004 Apr 2016 #159

Being able to read and write is important, this is starting to sound like Planet of the Apes. braddy Apr 2016 #163

A litany of rebuttals. Chan790 Apr 2016 #174

The problem is that handwriting and laguage use go hand in hand. Without one the other suffers TeamPooka Apr 2016 #210

I'm a few years older than you and I can say outright that the computer instruction I received Midwestern Democrat Apr 2016 #175

I really have to disagree with you on this. Jim Beard Apr 2016 #178

I do see a problem with it. Chan790 Apr 2016 #181

I bet the elites are still learning to write. braddy Apr 2016 #189

not everyone has computers at home CreekDog Apr 2016 #186

I never mentioned the internet, but a computer or a smart phone is almost universal. braddy Apr 2016 #188

Why can't they learn both? Are their little heads too small? mainer Apr 2016 #86

Every minute of curriculum time spent... Chan790 Apr 2016 #91

what kind of computer science do they teach? Baobab Apr 2016 #126

How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read Capt. Obvious Apr 2016 #61

I don't know what that means. braddy Apr 2016 #70

Cursive was taught because it was the language of business...long ago. Xithras Apr 2016 #123

I never heard that, we were taught writing so that we could write to each other, take notes, do braddy Apr 2016 #125

"our children won't even be able to read the {snip}" mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #203

We didn't write the Magna Carta, and not many of us have it hanging on our walls and live braddy Apr 2016 #208

You do understand that cursive and printing are different forms of writing? bhikkhu Apr 2016 #172

What world is that where people don't write? I have never seen that, besides they aren't braddy Apr 2016 #187

Both of my children learned to write beautifully in school. . . Journeyman Apr 2016 #6

I'm a substitute teacher in California. In the LibDemAlways Apr 2016 #8

The only time I use cursive romanic Apr 2016 #9

I agree with you Bayard Apr 2016 #10

They don't teach how to use slide rules or abacuses anymore either ... TheDormouse Apr 2016 #11

oh, and in case u didn't get the memo, they don't teach hieroglyphics anymore either TheDormouse Apr 2016 #58

My kids had to learn italic cursive MissB Apr 2016 #12

Did you use quills dipped in ink when you were in school? Scootaloo Apr 2016 #13

Fascinating. I had no idea. ronnie624 Apr 2016 #15

I always print too, and have done since about 7th grade Mariana Apr 2016 #205

Well, apparently, not only can't they write it... dchill Apr 2016 #20

How many books are written in cursive? kentauros Apr 2016 #26

Shit, I couldn't and still can't read my own damned handwriting in cursive... Humanist_Activist Apr 2016 #27

Yup, my cousin's kids can't read anything written in cursive WolverineDG Apr 2016 #65

My kids can read cursive gollygee Apr 2016 #87

Really? What other fonts can't they read? Orrex Apr 2016 #129

Cursive writing is much faster than printing because you don't keep lifting your pen. DamnYankeeInHouston Apr 2016 #40

Exactly -- THANK YOU obamanut2012 Apr 2016 #98

Yep... An outdated technique, IMO. NT Adrahil Apr 2016 #217

Language is always changing. Handwriting, the way we pronounce words, their meanings, LeftyMom Apr 2016 #14

I considered it a form of torture. hunter Apr 2016 #16

This^^ Kittycat Apr 2016 #23

I'm autistic and it took me until I was 18 to learn cursive on my own forjusticethunders Apr 2016 #57

Me too. wickerwoman Apr 2016 #183

Not only a barrier to those with autism, but with any motor co-ordination difficulty LeftishBrit Apr 2016 #196

For left-handed people, cursive can also be PITA. when I was a kid raccoon Apr 2016 #224

Cursive is merely a font in the computer age. Thor_MN Apr 2016 #17

I think you mean... pinboy3niner Apr 2016 #18

In your case, that would be kentauros Apr 2016 #31

That Was Compliments Of Auto-Correction On My Computer.... global1 Apr 2016 #32

And I think you meant to reply to pinboy. kentauros Apr 2016 #35

You should post in cursive, then jberryhill Apr 2016 #117

I was trying to think of an illicit way to reply to this OP treestar Apr 2016 #112

Maybe you could try taking some poetic licentious pinboy3niner Apr 2016 #147

-ness. kentauros Apr 2016 #177

Parents claim and complain about this in my district, not true Kittycat Apr 2016 #19

Deficit, not defecit unc70 Apr 2016 #50

I cursed a lot in school. C Moon Apr 2016 #21

Anyone who wants to learn cursive Mariana Apr 2016 #22

I know an English teacher who signs their name in perfect cursive.... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2016 #24

If you are interested in history or genealogy, cursive is a must Simongren Apr 2016 #25

If you are interested in history or genealogy Mariana Apr 2016 #207

It's useful if you want to write a letter. UtahJosh Apr 2016 #28

I've never encountered a hand-written cover-letter for a job. HereSince1628 Apr 2016 #34

It appears that you and I are in the minority mainer Apr 2016 #78

This message was self-deleted by its author rjsquirrel Apr 2016 #29

I'm outraged! Outraged, I tell ya! kentauros Apr 2016 #30

Illuminate? With what, LED's? (nt) So Far From Heaven Apr 2016 #219

No. With gold and silver. kentauros Apr 2016 #222

Times change, needs change Marrah_G Apr 2016 #33

I don't get but then I too am malaise Apr 2016 #36

Writing styles/ methods are fluid apcalc Apr 2016 #37

Your signature can literally and legally just be an X obamanut2012 Apr 2016 #39

Good -- a total waste of classroom time considering we don't use quills any more obamanut2012 Apr 2016 #38

"I'd like to illicit some response" jberryhill Apr 2016 #41

You're an old fuddy duddy and just not with the times. LOL. Just kidding. raccoon Apr 2016 #42

No Need To Kid - I Am An Old Fuddy Duddy - A Relic Of The Past - Not With The Times.... global1 Apr 2016 #44

You oughta write science fiction! nt raccoon Apr 2016 #60

Read It Again - We're Not Too Far Away From What You're Calling Science Fiction......nt global1 Apr 2016 #63

The skill will be preserved by the tattooists. MowCowWhoHow III Apr 2016 #43

I wonder how his 2nd wife "Alice" feels about that tattoo. lagomorph777 Apr 2016 #46

They taught it to me many years ago but I never used it. lagomorph777 Apr 2016 #45

I actually fought for like 4 years to get our town to take it out of the curriculum. Chan790 Apr 2016 #47

They don't learn multiplication tables either LiberalEsto Apr 2016 #49

A lot of schools don't teach civics, either. CrispyQ Apr 2016 #51

The don't treach blacksmithing either ghostsinthemachine Apr 2016 #52

Forget typing, just teach thumbing The2ndWheel Apr 2016 #56

I'm glad they don't GummyBearz Apr 2016 #54

We are 21st century code talkers me b zola Apr 2016 #69

I have no doubt it is true GummyBearz Apr 2016 #72

You're only just now learning this? Blue_Tires Apr 2016 #59

How will they write proper thank-you notes? mainer Apr 2016 #62

To answer your two questions, you could print. nt raccoon Apr 2016 #64

Printing is slow and childish looking. Like a serial killer note! mainer Apr 2016 #66

You've never seen a draftsman or architect print then kentauros Apr 2016 #134

I love the lettering on old patent applications. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #204

From looking at the smaller numbering on that image kentauros Apr 2016 #214

i underdstand where you're coming from but those are societal norms of the past.. i wrote thank you dionysus Apr 2016 #138

Depends on the printer nadine_mn Apr 2016 #231

Seriously? abelenkpe Apr 2016 #122

they may simply be older. i am 38 and remember writing thank you notes as a kid. those old customs dionysus Apr 2016 #139

Is it? There's also Gimp which is free and similar to photoshop abelenkpe Apr 2016 #140

photoshop is subscription now? i think i have photoshop cs2 which has to be quite old by now... dionysus Apr 2016 #141

O yeah! I remember that version abelenkpe Apr 2016 #145

there's soooo much stuff an application like PS can do, if you're not an expert, you only end up dionysus Apr 2016 #146

I still use CS2. kentauros Apr 2016 #179

Time marches on Egnever Apr 2016 #156

Free Graph/Grid paper generator kentauros Apr 2016 #180

We don't need to know a foreign language. We don't need table manners. mainer Apr 2016 #67

Interesting that you bring up foreign languages. Chan790 Apr 2016 #95

I learned a foreign language and cursive and blind typing mainer Apr 2016 #96

It's on average 30-45 minutes a week... Chan790 Apr 2016 #99

All right, all right; I'll get off your lawn. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #124

I love your poster. nt raccoon Apr 2016 #225

I've never used cursive outside of elementary school when it was taught to me killbotfactory Apr 2016 #68

I'm ok with them not teaching cursive. Captain Stern Apr 2016 #71

They don't teach kids how to use a wax tablet and stylus any more either whatthehey Apr 2016 #74

Oh, man! The Doobie Brothers broke up?!?!!? When did that happen?!?!?!?!!?? TransitJohn Apr 2016 #75

One of San Jose's few contributions to civilization. KamaAina Apr 2016 #136

Up to the states or school systems. tonyt53 Apr 2016 #76

Mine too. frogmarch Apr 2016 #80

Now That You Said It - That There Are More Important Things To Learn In School Than Cursive.... global1 Apr 2016 #104

I've been wondering too. frogmarch Apr 2016 #131

Are kids stupider these days, or what? mainer Apr 2016 #83

It's cultural evolution at work. And it's the Digital Age. randome Apr 2016 #84

Think of all those poor Asian kids learning Kanji mainer Apr 2016 #92

some people don't know how to address yuiyoshida Apr 2016 #93

Those who do learn cursive and a foreign language and music... mainer Apr 2016 #97

I'm curious...which jobs does one have a better crack at for knowing cursive? Captain Stern Apr 2016 #105

it's neurological. Chiquitita Apr 2016 #109

And this. Yes, it's neurological. mainer Apr 2016 #120

thanks, that's what I meant to point out Chiquitita Apr 2016 #150

Music? Maybe. Cursive? Garbage. Orrex Apr 2016 #121

I'm talking about handwriting Chiquitita Apr 2016 #154

Now you're shifting to a very different skill Orrex Apr 2016 #157

After replying to you I was discussing it with my husband, Chiquitita Apr 2016 #165

Well I give that a big thumbs up! Orrex Apr 2016 #173

That makes sense. Captain Stern Apr 2016 #198

A-fricking-men! raccoon Apr 2016 #226

That's interesting, and very well may be true. Captain Stern Apr 2016 #127

a better brain can mean better outcomes Chiquitita Apr 2016 #149

Of course it can. Captain Stern Apr 2016 #197

I take notes by hand, the usefulness of them is in the sketches. hunter Apr 2016 #167

Elicit, not illicit milestogo Apr 2016 #103

Read Above In The Responses To My OP You Will Find The Explanation As To Why That Occurred...nt global1 Apr 2016 #106

People should definitely learn to write, whether print or cursive treestar Apr 2016 #108

"Penmanship" was my favorite class as a kid. Atman Apr 2016 #110

I have not used cursive writing since high school liberal N proud Apr 2016 #113

Didn't you get my note? mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #114

This will probably turn into a class distinction. mainer Apr 2016 #116

No. abelenkpe Apr 2016 #118

If they take test on iPads, does the school provide them if a family can't afford them? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2016 #158

Yeah the school provides the iPads abelenkpe Apr 2016 #168

Because it's an obsolete skill of minimal value. Orrex Apr 2016 #119

My kid's in second grade basselope Apr 2016 #128

OMG I am gonna be rich! sofa king Apr 2016 #130

That wouldn't really be surprising to me honestly GOPblows431 Apr 2016 #133

They do teach children to write, both print and cursive. cleanhippie Apr 2016 #135

So eventually, no one will be able to read documents written in cursive. KamaAina Apr 2016 #137

Wikipedia has translated it into print. Travis_0004 Apr 2016 #160

And Wikipedia is always 100% accurate to a T. KamaAina Apr 2016 #161

You believe that no one is capable of learning to read cursive Mariana Apr 2016 #194

Well, the first three words of that document aren't cursive. kentauros Apr 2016 #212

Are American students expected to write essays under exam conditions? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2016 #151

It's no longer a terribly relevant skill. Jester Messiah Apr 2016 #152

I think more are turning it into an art elective.. glowing Apr 2016 #153

They SHOULD teach driver's ed/rules of the road TheDormouse Apr 2016 #155

Hopefully not teaching writing will continue, as those that value it will be able to use it... tenderfoot Apr 2016 #162

Being able to write has nothing to do with cursive. kwassa Apr 2016 #164

In the district I work in I had whistler162 Apr 2016 #166

The writing isn't has bad as not being able to read it Prism Apr 2016 #169

My kids got a few weeks of instruction in cursive in, what, maybe third grade? Arugula Latte Apr 2016 #170

It's taught in Richmond, VA schools. My grandchild is learning it in 3rd grade. nt Nay Apr 2016 #176

No point HassleCat Apr 2016 #182

I believe it is helpful if all children learn cursive Digit Apr 2016 #184

I bought my grandsons wrist watches this year, not digital, they are going to learn to tell Jim Beard Apr 2016 #185

I honestly can't tell if this post is satire or not. WestCoastLib Apr 2016 #192

It is NOT satire. Jim Beard Apr 2016 #206

Re: a real watch. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #201

They don't teach butter churning or candle making either RB TexLa Apr 2016 #190

I was just thinking of the success US converting to the metric system Jim Beard Apr 2016 #191

I can think of two reasons why that didn't work here. kentauros Apr 2016 #211

I have not used Cursive since my Sophomore year of High School. dilby Apr 2016 #195

My kids learned cursive but still can't read it well ctaylors6 Apr 2016 #199

The cursive conundrum KateGladstone Apr 2016 #200

Might as well throw away all those heirloom pictures found in you great Jim Beard Apr 2016 #209

My oldest stepson, who just got accepted to medical school, can barely print Kaleva Apr 2016 #213

Write != cursive. X_Digger Apr 2016 #215

Kids learn how to type and use word processors, now, instead. Odin2005 Apr 2016 #218

I'm really evil. So Far From Heaven Apr 2016 #220

My 4th grade daughter in a MA public school is learning cursive. n/t hughee99 Apr 2016 #221

It's an unnecessary skill. Deadshot Apr 2016 #223

Since I can write in Gregg Shorthand, HockeyMom Apr 2016 #228

How Much Time Did It Take You To Learn Gregg Shorthand?.....nt global1 Apr 2016 #229

Many years ago this issue was trending in the national media. tblue37 Apr 2016 #230

Here's another advocate of teaching cursive writing. Uh-oh, maybe she's not the kind you want. mahatmakanejeeves May 2016 #232