Quote:
Originally Posted by Willravel
Just fyi, President Obama wasn't charging your son with finding the cure for cancer. He was presenting a real problem to the next generation of doctors and researchers, as a goal to be attempted. Like I said, platitudes. If I were to give a speech to American students, I'd probably include stuff like that, too. "If you work hard and apply yourself, you could become the doctor to cure cancer." It's a nice sentiment, if a bit pie in the sky.
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I simply listened to what my son had to say about the speech. I know what Obama's intent was, I think I help put it in perspective. It can be an overwhelming burden for children to believe that they carry the burden of the reputation of a school, teach, government, and parents rather than them simply doing the best they can in school.
For the most part he felt the speech was good and did not understand what all the fuss was about.
---------- Post added at 06:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 PM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paq
i hate to say it, but your kids ARE going to have to fix the problems of the previous generation. Most kids get to build on what the previous did...yours will get to undo a lot of the f**ked up stuff that has been going on. that's not 'pie in the sky' or a 'sentiment' or a 'burden'..it's the honest truth.
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but first I want him to enjoy being 12, there will be plenty of time for him to tackle major world problems as an adult. again, I don't have a problem with the speech, and it gave us an opportunity to talk about what it means to be a good student and a productive citizen.