January 23, 2013
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fair
Let’s talk about what kids think about fair.
A friend of mine is going on a mission trip to Nicaragua. Among the many things this mission group does is pack backpacks for kids to attend school. Apparently school is not free to everyone in this town in Nicaragua. In order to attend school the child must be provided with the backpack of school supplies and tuition. The mission group is not able to raise enough money to support all the children. So they choose to pay tuition for the children who have demonstrated responsibility and a desire to learn and work hard.
We were talking with a group of 2nd graders last night (a continuation of a conversation from the previous Tuesday). They find this to be very unfair. They feel that the kids who most need the schooling are the ones who have not been successful at school. One kid even suggested that it would be more fair to give tuition to half of the kids who work hard and half of the kids who don’t. We didn’t make any progress on deciding which of the hard workers deserved to go and which did not.
I certainly understand where the kids are coming from on this. In the good old USA, everyone is guaranteed a free public education regardless of the effort the child (or parents) put into acquiring the education. So their mentality is that education is a right, a guarantee.
I agree the mission trippers too. With limited funds, it makes sense to support the intellectual growth of those who have proven to be serious about education. Part of me is well aware that the system may not be fair- that teachers may favor certain students, that factors (like illness) beyond the kids’ control may ruin a student’s chance of getting an education. So it would be great if more money was available to give more kids opportunities.
On the other hand, maybe they have the right idea. (I don’t mean the poverty. Of course.) We value more what we have to work for.
Well. That’s enough of that. And I have an entire day of doing stuff for other people.
Comments (26)
Both are valid viewpoints. In a world of dwindling resources and exploding populations, how we determine who gets what is an ever-changing dynamic. As you point out, attitude goes a long way in determining who is allocated the precious resource.
I swear I am effected by this. I’m legally blind and blond and can not say I’ve managed much with what I was given nevermind the howl of what I should have hads. I’m not business savvy persay nor fast with my hands thus as invests go I was considered and probably proved I was a poor one. but what about me?
the point of the logic is trickle down investment. on social not family scales there is no way to publically change this argument- save one tithing. 10 percent in all things given to less fortunate/ greater glories. this idea that is why I am churchly/spiritual versus godlessly heathen …this is my shot. I’m not proven YET to be of great monetary contribution yet but there is hope yet to prove the value ofall life is to say even I get a shot at some goodies. why? because life counts when there isn’t clear advantage. so ten students 1 crap. twenty 2 crap because 10 supposedly crap means a shot at one rarer sucess.
diminished returns yes but there are rewards. if for only this, investments bring returns. I can manage my own life fairly well avoiding intrigue! that alone is a lot of hassle another is saved.
We are an extremely spoiled country. .. I wonder what people would do if education was taken away. It could be, and then what if they use the money for our debt?.. It would be havoc, but I would understand for sure. I hope something works out for those children that you are speaking of. <3
Maximizing benefit is always a challenge when there is simply not enough to go around.
And people here complain because they have to pitch in extra for cheerleading, etc. Sheesh.
How much is tuition per student and how many students have not been provided for?
I have tutored children that were left behind. They just needed someone to care, someone to challenge them, someone to remind them that education was important. Who cares? The more grass roots of individuals who do care and are willing to be there for those who need the boost, the better our children will be. I say “our” children, because I know it takes a village to raise children.
We’re a very lucky and spoiled nation here. Lots of other places don’t have the breaks we have…education, clean water and food, ways to travel other than feet…and WE complain.
We are very lucky here in the USA, indeed, but people who have to work to attend school seem to appreciate it more than those who are guaranteed an education.
Education, like life, is unfair. Sometimes very smart kids under achieve because they don’t have good teachers or they aren’t fortunate enough to live in a place where the schools are good. I never thought of scholarship opportunities for less excellent children – maybe in some cases it would motivate them to excell because someone cares.
@Jaynebug - i completely agree with you. it may not seem that way from this post. i think every kid can be successful (in whatever definition we choose) given the opportunity and a cheerleader. and i think that every child should have those two things. i’m also well aware that not all kids do.
@leaflesstree - i used to substitute teach in a very diverse school district. it covered a county that ranged from just outside of DC to a affluent neighborhood a mere 30 minutes away. the differences of education received in this county were astounding. this is why No Child Left Behind is such a crock of hoo hoo.
@z_stands_for - taking away money for education would be incredibly short-sighted.
@lonelywanderer2 - @moniet - @lanney - we are spoiled and selfish.
@SandraErickson - i do not know. i know the backpack supplies for a year are $15. tuition, i have no idea. how interested are you?
@starmanjones - putting a value on a person by what you think you can get out of them frosts my shorts. i hope i didn’t offend you. in spite of what i may have implied here, i think that every human being has value. if that value is not obvious at first glance, then i just need to look harder. also. does the blondness hamper your life? (that was a joke)
@epeemom - i’m glad i don’t have to make these decisions. i could never choose for one person to get something and another to not.
@promisesunshine -
Imagine. I think we are both thinking about it, and that creates. (pats heart, and points to you)
@Jaynebug -
@SandraErickson - Very.
@SandraErickson - sent you a message.
I wonder if the discussion with the children will plant something in their heads, that they have the power (or will have, one day) to reach out and try to make a difference in someone’s life. It’s good to see them try to reason this out.
@songoftheheart - i think so. they have the power right now on a small scale.
I suppose the selection process is more fair than a lottery. In a perfect world everyone goes to school. Too bad our world isn’t perfect – yet. I am still holding out hope!
@murisopsis - hope for the future is something we have to have.
@promisesunshine - no, you didn’t and do not offend – I actually get a bit sad thatwe have such a situation to worry over- I hope these christians remember charity
@z_stands_for - hey, this is John. how are you??
I had a very different reaction to this post. not sure why.
Interesting post ^..^
@plantinthewindow - i wish you hadn’t deleted your original reaction. you made a valid point. it doesn’t sit comfortably with me that we impose our standards (either “american” or “christian”) on other countries either. what helps me in this case is that this mission also has constructed common buildings, provided books for a library, and built both open play areas and covered play areas for kids to enjoy activities instead of joining gangs.
@SheTigerCat - thanks
@starmanjones - there is always plenty to worry over.
@promisesunshine - or joyous blessings to revel in
@starmanjones - ah, yes. thank you for that reminder!
It’s interesting, possibly even miraculous, that, despite all evidence to the contrary, we carry with us this feeling that life should be fair. Isn’t it? So where there is no inherent fairness, we (well, many of us; the ‘kids at heart’) are always working to make things as fair as we possibly can. It’s downright life-affirming.
Godspeed to your missionary and 2nd grade friends alike!