Thirteen courses I would like to see

Somtimes I think that schools don't do enough to train kids for the real world. So for this week's Thursday Thirteen I bring you*

THIRTEEN COURSES THAT ALL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SHOULD TAKE

1) Money: What a checkbook is, how to balance one, why credit cards are the enemy
Kids see their parents pay for something with a card. They do not see them scrambling over a budget to pay a bill. They do not see the interest rates racking up. I wish, so much that I had learned this one in a course instead of the hard way.

2) The elves are on strike part 1: How to do your laundry and clean your living area.
I joked that if you wanted to meet a guy in college all you needed to do was hang out in the laundry room. Guys came in and looked totally clueless. There were also the guys who were walking around with the pink t-shirts and underwear. Really there is no need for this.

Also people need to be taught how to keep their area clean. Growing up I was yelled at constantly to clean my room. It was NEVER good enough for my mother but she never taught me how to do it the way she did. Also, to this day, I do not know how to iron. I am not kidding. If something has wrinkles I use the de-wrinkle part on the drier or hang it in the bathroom and wait for the steam. I would like to learn how to iron, but don't want the guilt or hangups that would go with her teaching me. One day I'll corner a friend and ask, but until then there will be clothes in the bathroom.

3) The elves are on strike part 2: How to cook a week's worth of healthy food
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is not a food group. All those "helpers" are loaded with fat and salt. The curriculum would consist of going to a library's cookbook section. Picking out 14 different dishes and learning to make them. Each student would then sample the other student's cooking. Unlike home ec, boys are NOT exempt from the prep and clean-up. I'm dating myself here, but in my middle school there was home ec. The boys got to eat, but didn't have to learn to cook. Pissed me off then and still does.

4)Transportation: How to take care of yours and to use what public transportation is available
What happens when my father can't start his car, he opens the hood and prays it is the oil or the fan belt. Why? Because that's what he knows. This class would teach kids how to take care of the car. I find it criminal that no drivers ed course does basic car maintenance. (or at least none that I know of.) Also if they live in a place with good public transportation, how to use it

5) For Women Only: Your body, your cycle, your health, your pleasure
Women are, for the most part, criminally negligent about their own bodies. Until I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility I though I had monthly yeast infections! I didn't know why I had so much discharge at certain times of the month! I had an amazing OB-GYN who showed me the relevant chapters and explained it. He also showed me how to do a self breast exam and described, in detail, what I was looking for. I tried to explain to my oldest niece about how to properly care for their breasts and do self-exams. I got a "talking to" about relevant subject matter and how I scared her from my sister-in-law that still chafes me to think about it. My sister-in-law's mother had a mastectomy due to breast cancer. My mother is a breast cancer survivor. My neice has breast cancer on both her mother and father's side of her family how is this NOT relevant subject matter?

Our daughters need to know that PMS exists (I still remember a doctor [male of course] saying that it didn't) and how to eat so as to mitigate the effects. Also someone should talk about masturbation. Women who are more in touch with their bodies become more comfortable with them as they grow older. It will lead to more satisfying sex lives for the women and their eventual partner.

6) For Men Only: questions answered.
Boys are sent such mixed messages. They should get all the sex they can. They should be faithful to one woman. A lot of boys don't have men who are good role models that they can talk to. I don't know all the questions a boy has as he becomes a man, and I couldn't dream of planning a course for it, but they should be allowed to ask them and be given the answers.

7) Money doesn't grow on trees--really! How to get and keep a job
I like some of my new young 20-something coworkers. I really do. But their cluelessness on how to act in the workplace is beyond me. No one ever had to tell me that I shouldn't go out drinking when I had to go to work in the morning. Coming to work with a hangover and TELLING people how hung over you are--and then you wonder why you have a bad performance review? I'm really glad that you found one of the few straight guys in publishing--but necking with him in your boss' office will get you fired. (happened at my last job.) There is a certain way of acting and dressing at work, and it would be a good idea to teach them.

8) Manners--they matter
If you get something from someone you send a thank you note. It can be emailed but you acknowledge the gift. If you have a job interview you send a thank you note for their time. When you go out to lunch with your co-workers or especially your boss, you chew with your mouth closed, do NOT order alcohol (unless she/he is ordering as well), and do not drink to excess. Keep your elbows off the table, mouth closed, ears open.

9) Prince Charming is not coming to save you/What to do if you don't marry rich
My niece truly believes that she will marry rich. Nice work if you can get it, but when the rich man that she marries leaves her and her 2.3 kids for the buxom secretary, she needs to know how to take care of herself and her money. Or, as my friend said "Most of us are told when we are growing up that The One is out there, and he/she will save us/need rescuing. It's just not the true. And even if you DO find love that saves you, what happens once you are out of danger? They go off to find someone else to save. Good for the next one, sucky for you!"

10) Health--When to stay home, when to call the doctor, when to go to the ER
You know them. You work with them. They come into work hacking and coughing and sneezing and infecting everyone. Sometimes, really, they don't know how sick they are. They think it is allergies because no one is home saying "No school for you!" Also they don't know how to take care of themselves, maybe because no one took care of them. Also there are symtoms that you just don't mess with and people should know what they are.

11) There are others in the world besides you
Teenagers REALLY need to hear this one. So much is "why should I do that, what does it get me?" it really scares me.

12) Your opinion matters
I do alumni interviews for my college. One of the girls I interviewed didn't really know her own mind about anything because her parents had made all of her decisions. She knew that she didn't want to be a doctor the way her parents wanted her to be. The flip side of #11, is that kids need to learn when they should stand up for what they believe in--that it is all right to.

13) Religion- Gd is too big to be just yours
Most religions have a version of the golden rule. What is hateful to you, do not do to anyone else. Treat others as you would be treated. When it deals with other people's religion, this is very true. Do you like it when people belittle your religion? No? Then guess what, DON'T DO IT TO OTHERS!

What classes would you add?

*This is somewhat of a reprint of earlier posts, but there's new stuff and it wasn't a thu

Comments

[Starrlight]

Excellent list! I totally agree!

[WhatWorksForMom]

Wow; really really excellent list. I can't even pick a favorite.

[Lara]

I'd send my kids to every single one!!
Great post and happy TT!

[tommiea]

What a great list...I think these are things most parents strive for for their children.

Thanks for visiting my TT.

[Suprina]

I so agree with you on #1. I did have a business teacher that took time out with me to teach me one on one just because I asked her too.

#2 and #3, I had...it was called Home Ec. I am not sure that they are teaching that now, but in Oklahoma back in the EArly 90's you had to take home ec. 1 and home ec 2.

Great list.
I think I would add a class over diversity.

[damozel]

Wow...this one was EXCELLENT. I've saved it in my tags; I want to send it to someone somewhere. Number 1 has been something I've been saying for years, but ALL of them are great.

I especially love "The Elves are on strike."

[kat]

Great list! Hahahaha

Happy TT!

[Xakara]

Hallelujah!

I've been saying this for years.

I was raised with a very clear understanding that you save for what you want and that you take care of what you have. The way some people are raised to disregard their money, belongings, bodies, and opinions is mindboggling.

I'd add the few classes.

*Americans Teens: Not everyone is American. That doesn't make them automatically inferior.

*Non-Americans Teens: America is a diverse place with more than what you see on TV. You can't judge the whole by the parts. Emulating music videos does not make you American.

*Single and Happy: How to survive without a relationship. (So that you don't stay in abusive or doomed situations simply to not be alone)

*Teen Boys: Hygene is your friend.

:) It's a great list and I'm glad I got to see it today.

~X

[Amber]

That's an awesome list! Thanks for visiting mine, and happy Thursday!

[M]

Great list! Love the way you think.

[Marcia]

Pretty good list I hope it would be taught in a positive way and not jaded because optimism is also a valuble lesson.

[walternatives]

I'd add a course about being a global citizen, specific to enviromental issues: recycling, energy conservation, reuse and living "green." Ultimately, they're going to inherit the planet - they should be indoctrinated into how to care for it; the previous generations weren't, and look where we are now.

[elementaryhistoryteacher]

I agree that all of these things are valid, important items for our young people to be exposed to, however, there are many items on your list that should be taught by parents. The sad thing is many parents are not teaching their child these things, and many parents get very hostile when you attempt to correct their child regarding certain behaviors such as cleaning up a work area. Every year I have at least five complaints from parents because I make their child clean up a mess they have created on my floor. I just wonder what their home looks like.

[Lori]

Great list and I totally agree:) Happy TT.

[Comedy Plus]

I can't think of a class to add, but bravo on this list. Amen! What a great job. Have a great TT. :)

[Kendra]

what a great TT list! this should be submitted somewhere for serious consideration for kids education!!

[Gabriella Hewitt]

Fabulous list. I whole heartedly agree. If only the school system would listen we might get more competent adults.

Thanking my fellow TTer's this week. Come get thanked!

[J. Lynne]

This is such an excellent list! I'm going to put it on my recommended reading on my site!

If only they did have these classes both now and when I was in college. I learned some of these lessons the hard way and some of them I learned through having my parents shout them into me.

[Frigga]

All are very important lessons. However if the parents aren't teaching it, schools don't stand a chance...

Happy TT13 :-)

[TS]

Respondez vous in numeric order (I know, I should totally be writing right now):

1 ~ I wish I had something like this in school. I learned, eventually, but I was completely clueless for a while and I still hate balancing my checkbook (I don't anymore, mostly because I don't use checks and do all online transactions).

2 ~ I think this has changed (at least a little bit). When I was in college, the guys seemed to know what they were doing. Though I can say I knew A LOT of kids, both girls and guys, who saved their laundry for the weekend they went home cuz they knew mommy would do it. LAME, though I was guilty of it too.

3 ~ I agree! I wish someone had taught me how to eat right before I was overweight and depressed about it. Though I definitely think you dated yourself because the boys did everything the girls did when I was in Home Ec in middle school.

4 ~ Another one I wish I had, though I would've hated it in high school. Adding to that -- how to change a flat. I still don't know. I can barely put air in my tires without needing help.

5 ~ I agree (even though I'm not a woman) though I don't think there is ever going to be a class in school that talks about masturbation. Not in our lifetimes or our grandchildrens' at least.

6 ~ I think Sex Ed in this country is fucked up all around. Abstinence-only classes teach nothing but ignorance and then kids don't know how to protect themselves, or what is normal and what isn't (about their bodies, about sex in general, about what is ok for another person to do and what isn't, etc). It's just messed up that we are refusing to teach our kids anything about sex because some conservative fucks think it will encourage them to have sex. Guess what, dudes, they're already having sex. Now they are just doing it without the necessary knowledge.

7 ~ Ah, that was one that I got from my parents and family. My dad has always been Mr. Tuck-your-shirt-in-comb-your-hair-shave-and-brush-your-teeth politician-y guy. So that one came easy to me -- with certain rebellious streaks where deemed necessary.

8 ~ I agree with most, though lately I have been questioning the whole napking on the lap thing. I just don't get it, especially when I never spill anything onto my lap and ALWAYS get my shirt. I've taken to keeping my napkin on the table because it is just easier for me to reach for it if I need it. I never understood the whole elbows on the table thing either and I never understood what was appropriate and what wasn't? I understand you don't want to be putting your head in your hands and propping your arms up by your elbows...but what about resting your arms on the table beside your plate, or having your elbows on the edge of the table while you gesture during conversation? I just decided long ago not to care that much about the manners that didn't seem to have any basis in modern society. The ones that have merit, on the other hand, I always try to be aware of. And I hope to god I am seen as someone who is always very polite with his pleases, thank yous, and door holdings.

9 ~ I'm still waiting for Prince Charming to come and save me, but not financially. I think another aspect of this is that you shouldn't wait for someone to come and save you EMOTIONALLY either. But that kind of goes along with the "be happy along" section too.

10 ~ I agree but I also hate the people who FLIP OUT when you have a sniffle or a loud cough that is not attached to any real sickness. I have encountered a few coworkers who make a huge deal out of my coughing (my normal coughs often sound like I'm whooping because I don't hold them back, I just let them do what they are there for -- to untickle my throat). I seriously get SO annoyed when I hear "god TS, go home!" Or "OMG, you better not give me your tuberculosis!" It's not bad at first, esp. if they are just teasing -- but sometimes it gets out of hand and I'm like "Oh my god, SHUSH!"

11 ~ AMEN! I have a 16 year old sister. Nuff said.

12 ~ This is something I had to learn on my own and I wish more kids/people would realize this. Maybe then we wouldn't have reelected Dumb and Dumber to the presidency. Then again, it wouldn't matter how many votes he got -- he'd probably still have rigged it up nice and proper.

13 ~ Again (and no pun intended) AMEN! The worst part about religious intolerance (and intolerance based on religious beliefs) is that it turns people against religions like Christianity and Catholicism that aren't bad in theory. But when you are constantly told that the Bible thinks you are evil and going to hell because you are gay, Wiccan, whatever, it's kinda hard to be tolerant toward that religion. It's a sad, vicious cycle.

Good 13 today! Ok off to write. Not sleeping until it's ready to send. EEK!

[Linda R, Moore]

Awesome list. Thank you for this. :)

Actually, in 1981 we had co-ed cooking classes, which was good. I got to do woodworking/technical drawing also.

[dew]

These are all things that should be taught by parents. It's bad enough actual education has been taken over by learning how to pass government-mandated tests, let alone adding all this stuff. My kids know all this (including the wonderful additions by Xakara) , and I'm the one who taught them.

[Cavatica]

Nice list. Like Dew, I think we have to teach these to our kids ourselves, they may not be taught elsewhere.