Are we raising a generation of nincompoops?

[marieelissa]

Second-graders who can't tie shoes or zip jackets. Four-year-olds in Pull-Ups diapers. Five-year-olds in strollers. Teens and preteens befuddled by can openers and ice-cube trays. College kids who've never done laundry, taken a bus alone or addressed an envelope.


Are we raising a generation of nincompoops? And do we have only ourselves to blame? Or are some of these things simply the result of kids growing up with push-button technology in an era when mechanical devices are gradually being replaced by electronics?


Many kids never learn to do ordinary household tasks. They have no chores. Take-out and drive-through meals have replaced home cooking. And busy families who can afford it often outsource house-cleaning and lawn care.


Teachers in kindergarten have always had to show patience with children learning to tie shoes and zip jackets, but thanks to Velcro closures, today's kids often don't develop those skills until they are older. Sure, harried parents are grateful for Velcro when they're trying to get a kid dressed and out the door, and children learn to tie shoes eventually unless they have a real disability. But if they're capable of learning to tie their shoes before they learn to read, shouldn't we encourage them?

Some skills, of course, are no longer useful. Kids don't need to know how to add Roman numerals, write cursive or look things up in a paper-bound thesaurus. But is snail-mail already so outmoded that teenagers don't need to know how to address an envelope or put the stamp in the right spot? Ask a 15-year-old to prepare an envelope some time; you might be shocked at the result.

[jcribb16]

Second-graders who can't tie shoes or zip jackets. Four-year-olds in Pull-Ups diapers. Five-year-olds in strollers. Teens and preteens befuddled by can openers and ice-cube trays. College kids who've never done laundry, taken a bus alone or addressed an envelope.


Are we raising a generation of nincompoops? And do we have only ourselves to blame? Or are some of these things simply the result of kids growing up with push-button technology in an era when mechanical devices are gradually being replaced by electronics?


Many kids never learn to do ordinary household tasks. They have no chores. Take-out and drive-through meals have replaced home cooking. And busy families who can afford it often outsource house-cleaning and lawn care.


Teachers in kindergarten have always had to show patience with children learning to tie shoes and zip jackets, but thanks to Velcro closures, today's kids often don't develop those skills until they are older. Sure, harried parents are grateful for Velcro when they're trying to get a kid dressed and out the door, and children learn to tie shoes eventually unless they have a real disability. But if they're capable of learning to tie their shoes before they learn to read, shouldn't we encourage them?

Some skills, of course, are no longer useful. Kids don't need to know how to add Roman numerals, write cursive or look things up in a paper-bound thesaurus. But is snail-mail already so outmoded that teenagers don't need to know how to address an envelope or put the stamp in the right spot? Ask a 15-year-old to prepare an envelope some time; you might be shocked at the result.

I have wondered some of these very same things. 
By the way, Marie, where did you get these haunted house pictures?  They are neat!

[jcribb16]

   Thank you very much!!!

[ButterflyWings]

I can say that me personally..I am not raising nincompoops..My kids are way beyond where they should be..But in saying that I will say I have seen many parents who just want to let their kids breeze by without taking any time to help them be advanced and ready in life it is quite sad..So yes there are parents who are raising nincompoops but thankfully I do not nor do my kids fall into this category !

[sflynt]

I mean serously, why have kids, if you don't care enough about them to keep them safe, or teach them anything!!!??!!

[ButterflyWings]

I can say that me personally..I am not raising nincompoops..My kids are way beyond where they should be..But in saying that I will say I have seen many parents who just want to let their kids breeze by without taking any time to help them be advanced and ready in life it is quite sad..So yes there are parents who are raising nincompoops but thankfully I do not nor do my kids fall into this category !

I agree. I absolutely LOVE showing and teaching my children every little thing about life. It makes me sad to see parents that just sling their kids along, not taking the time to teach them anything. They get so busy in their own life, that their kids are suffering and lacking in areas that a child should already be progressing in. FYI- I'm not saying ALL parents are like this. anyways,
 I went to the zoo this weekend with my husband and children and while walking through the buildings this little girl started following us, her parents were no where to be found! We were like, where did she come from? and she had NO SHOES ON!!! *It was chilly that day too.* We had gotten to the end of that building, but couldnt just leave this little girl alone. She couldnt have been more 4-5yrs old. So, We decided to circle back around and try to find someone that she could have possible been with. When we got to a crowd of people, the little girl saw her sister and ran off. but they weren't even looking for her!!! We could have been sickos, and kidnapped her and they wouldn't even have known it! It was horrible. I couldn't believe it. I know thats a little off topic, but they should have at least taught her to not talk to strangers or run off!!

Wow that is disturbing and sad people like that should not have kids.. I have a neighbor she has 5 kids one more on the way and trust me she should have none..these kids stink, have no parental supervision,she has had the state called on her and some how she comes out on top.Last summer one of her kids got ran over by a car in her front yard and she was in the house on her *bleep*..then her youngest in 50 degree weather was running up the street naked no parents looking for him I took him home and THEY WERE SLEEPING has no clue he was outside alone naked..But she has the nerve to tell me I am in my kids asses to much and need to chill I think not..There should be a mental evaluation you must pass before raising kids!!!

[sflynt]

Wow that is disturbing and sad people like that should not have kids.. I have a neighbor she has 5 kids one more on the way and trust me she should have none..these kids stink, have no parental supervision,she has had the state called on her and some how she comes out on top.Last summer one of her kids got ran over by a car in her front yard and she was in the house on her *bleep*..then her youngest in 50 degree weather was running up the street naked no parents looking for him I took him home and THEY WERE SLEEPING has no clue he was outside alone naked..But she has the nerve to tell me I am in my kids asses to much and need to chill I think not..There should be a mental evaluation you must pass before raising kids!!!

OMG! No, people like that shouldnt have kids! and they should definitely have to pass some kind of test before having them! I can't believe that she had the nerve to tell you that!    It makes me sick. He could have been seriously hurt, or kidnapped or... I don't even want to think about it. They sit on there asses all day, letting the kids run around like animals, not teaching them anything but delinquency, not teaching them proper hygiene, and collecting welfare...    Once again, I'm not speaking for ALL parents...

[burkee92]

I was raised really independant, but a lot of my friends are shocked by that. I have 20 year old friends who still haven't done laundry, they literally have to go home to get it done by mommy! It is getting a bit ridiculous, kinda scary to see what will happen in 30/40/50 years

[freepcmoney]

YES WE ARE RAISING A NATION wiht a majority of STUPID, HELPLESS people.

[philozex]

DUDE MAN LIKE NO WAY!?!?! lol yes we are! who does the blame fall on though: Mothers and Fathers(the ones we quickest blame for a murderer), teachers for not encouraging there students to think and be more open(Even though the gov. tells them a guild line to fallow), the media(as they and me myself tend to watch way to much stuff on t.v.), or Technologies(allowing you to not have to remember something, or look for you, so on to "make life easier) or is it all that together.

[AmyTrivitt]

I find it shocking and just plain ignorant when coming from the mouth of one who does not have children.
And yes times are changing. Im not sticking up for the parents who spend no time with their children, its sad.

[AmyTrivitt]

I find it shocking and just plain ignorant when coming from the mouth of one who does not have children.
And yes times are changing. Im not sticking up for the parents who spend no time with their children, its sad.

I have children, 5 of them!!

Coming from the same person who awhile back said you had no kids and was saving yourself... hmmm I guess your topic fits well with you then.