Hard America vs Soft America -- FawnDoo's Cavalcade of Whimsy

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Date Posted: 18:09:42 01/23/04 Fri
Author: Perceptor II
Subject: Hard America vs Soft America
In reply to: Goktimus Prime 's message, "Socio-political discussion: The Tall Poppy Syndrome" on 02:05:31 01/17/04 Sat

Here in the United States, I'd say both phenomenon are in play, but in different areas. While some adults try to get kids to achieve in school, they still receive a stigma from their peers if they get good grades and make the rest look bad. Also, many adults here tend to be overprotective of children and teens, and prefer not to give students any means of determining who's better than the other. There's a movement in the public education system to create measures of compentency without using grades. There's even a movement underway to eliminate scoring in organized sports. Students are also taught to feel good about themselves regardless of what others say about them.

Things change dramatically once they are out of school. Workers are expected to do their jobs and do them well. The United States economy is very capitalist, and as such it does tolerate incompetence very well. Those that can't do their job don't have to worry about it for very long. Even if you do it adequately, you're going to be getting a lot of feedback about your weaknesses and inadequacies. People learn very quickly that all the self-esteem in the world doesn't put food on the table. Instead of a stigma for being a "goody-two-shoes" or a "nerd", the stigma goes on those who are a "drain on society".

I remember reading a article to this effect a few months ago, talking about "soft America" and "hard America", and that this was why American students consistently achieve below students from other countries, but as adults they're world leaders in so many areas. I should try to find it sometime.

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Replies:

Not an especially charming picture...... -- FawnDoo, 16:40:18 02/07/04 Sat
- It's not Victorian -- Perceptor II, 20:41:36 02/10/04 Tue