According to the latest issue of The Economist, one of the reasons America's education system doesn't measure up to those of Europe and Asia is Huckleberry Finn, the river-raftin' vagabond of Mark Twain's most beloved work.
The article claims that the U.S. of A's fondness for undisciplined children contributes to the lackluster work ethic of its youth. This may be true, but please leave Huck out of it.
Those who have read the classic know that Twain's protagonist actually put on his thinking cap quite frequently. Sure, Huck was an independent spirit. He preferred fishin', huntin' and mischiefin' to studyin', but Huckleberry also wrestled with the great moral dilemma of his time (slavery) and came to reject the social norms of the day.
Such critical thought seems largely absent from our Wii-playing, YouTube-savvy generation of today. Instead of exploring the Mississippi, kids today struggle to explore their own neighborhoods. This is largely not their fault as their parents most likely are afraid to let them outside or have filled their schedule with piano lessons, Little League, travel team soccer and swimming camp.
This leaves little time for adventure let alone moral dilemma.
Of course, Huckleberry is a character, skillfully crafted by one of the greatest American writers ever, and we are common people cursed with the desire to shield our children from life's rigors.
But we don't need less of Huck in our education system. We need more. Much more.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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6 comments:
You've written a great corrective. A couple additional points:
1) American youth may have a questionable work ethic...and yet, American per capita productivity still outpaces both Asia and Europe (though they're gaining). Perhaps we get our "lazing around" out of our systems earlier?
2) On a related note, I would just say that it's galling to be lectured about our educational shortcomings by writers from the nation that brought us Soccer Holliganism (TM). Across the channel, I would think "lackluster work ethic" would in fact be preferable to "burning cars in the banlieues" as a regrettable youthful trait.
3) While it's hard to deny the education system in the USA has its shortcomings, it's also hard to deny that there are more paths to life, financial and social success in America absent a "proper education" than there are in Europe and Asia. I daresay it's because we're more open to recognizing the value of a Huck Finn-type experiential education than our, er "cultural betters."
4) Mark Twain? Really - Mark Twain? He was a genius, and I am not trying to be hyperbolic in saying that he invented American literature with Huckleberry Finn. I'll take whatever perceived downside may come from the novel, thankyewverymuch.
My Asian mother used to trap me inside for fear that I would be tainted by Americans.
I mean, obviously I have moved on from that.
Your mother was a wise woman. I mean, look at you. Wasting time on the internet.
Slacker.
I'm sure she just needed someone to watch the washing machine so the clothes would get washed.
One more quick point. Have you noticed how those "disciplined" cultural experiences of youth in the Eupropean and Far Eastern systems tend to lead toward an easily disciplined population led toward fascism, nazism, maoist/stalinist totalitarianism.
I don't see Huck fallin' for the Hitler Youth gig...
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