General Chat

Could the apparent lack of ambition or thirst for knowledge actually come from our education system? Thinking back over the last few years, the teaching in Secondary schools has been curriculum led, not child led. Many a time I’ve sat in a class room and the teacher has more or less refused to deviate from his lesson plan, even when a ‘sensible’ question has been asked about a slightly unrelated topic.

Excluding those who went to schools where University degrees are encouraged, once they leave school, many are too tired of exams to consider further formal study, all of which costs money. The emphasis is to earn (or receive in Benefits) and use that money to support themselves in the manner in which they have become accustomed.

Evening classes, in this area at least, fail to offer the opportunities which earlier generations were able to access. It seems to me, that it is only when we are older that we have the time and possibly the cash, to pursue something which takes our interest. Take this hobby of ours – many on here have said that it has led them to find out about the social or national history of the era, industry, clothing, ‘historical’ figures or transport. For that most of us can thank the electronic revolution

My grandfather came from a working class background of farm labourers, after the war he taught himself to fix televisions even made his 1st one and all the neighbours came in to watch it, he was the 1st one in his family to own his own business and house, when my dad proposed to my mother in 1964 my grandfather wouldnt allow them to marry until dad had bought a house for them.

grandad was a successful business man and owned several properties, but he never forgot his working class routes supported the unions and was a socialist all his life.


He was a true inspiration to me and my siblings, we all had comprehensive educations none of us went to university or college, we all have good jobs and own our houses through hard work.

I agree the benefits culture has ruined so many kids lives, children learn from their parents/guardians, generations living on benefits giving their kids no encouragment to better themselves.

Was it the Ashington group, Rose? I've got a feeling their paintings were also featured on Billy Connolly's World Tour of Ireland, England and Wales that was on the BBC around 10 years ago, too.

Hmmm - an idea - it's quite thick!!
I can't really hit Paula over the head with it - though being 4 ft ll ' it would be easy - but she's pregnant.
However Chris - public school educated etc - he probably deserves a 'bashing' more, but I'd have to get him sitting down as he's over 6 foot!

Should you bash them over the head with it! lol

LOL Chris, I have my short stories by Somerset Maugham ready to take to work on Monday!!! ONE of them will read it!

Maggie I have never been out of a weekly library visit since I was seven as that was the earliest age in my time you could get one. I would be lost without one.

I put it down to education - and not whether one goes to uni or not!
Someone at work brought in a Yorkshire Brack cake. (delicious)
I went on google and it described it as 'Something Bertie Wooster would have for tea'.
My 2 work colleagues - both went to uni - one went to private school, didn't know who Bertie Wooster was!
I mentioned Jeeves - one knew the name - off Yahoo - but was totally unaware of it's beginnings!!
Transpired neither (both aged 26) had read a Wodehouse, a Somerset Maugham or a Wyndham book!
One had done 'American Studies' at Uni and had read Steinbeck, J D Salinger etc - but not Maugham (who had lived in America for a good few years)
The problem with education these days, is that it is focussed towards passing exams, not widening the outlook of students.
ALL of these authors should have been read in secondary school - they're not exactly taxing!!

Perhaps I have a strange idea of 'bettering' oneself - to me it doesn't mean making lots of money, it means enjoying life.
My dad made a lot of money - and lost my mum. My mum married a wealthy man - and now desperately wants to come back to UK.
I've always had no money - but am quite happy 'pottering about' - reading, gardening, watching insects in the garden.

I'm not sure what to say on this one Rose . I don't think it's that " bettering " ones self has gone out of fashion , it's more that a tide of apathy seems to have enveloped a lot of people . I know I personally have always lacked " ambition " ..............but at the same time I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge .
It amazes me that my " kids " don't question things like I do . If I see or come across something that I don't know , the chances are I'll be compelled to find something out about it , they don't seem bothered about not knowing.

My dad is so proud of my nephew.We are all from Londons east end. My nephew won a place in Oxford Uni.He got the grades needed.He now works as a journalist.As my old dad says it seems only the rich get there. lol Annie

it never did the prime minster any good Eaton.His history is a bit rusty

yes, it's more than one question really Ann...lol as I said a ramble...

I was thinking, not even so much in terms of college or Uni to gain qualifications to get a job...but things like the old miners art group in ? ( heck can't remember... Bill Bryson mentioned it in one of his books) ... learning for learning's sake, rather than as a means to an end necessarily...

Not necessarily an aspiration towards a better career but just a 'looking outward' at the big wild world... maybe I've been watching too many youngsters on Jeremy Kyle lol, whose world seems to be shrunk to boyfriends/girls/ mates /drink and paternity disputes.

I think it has a lot to do with background. I think with the benefit culture the way it is there are many children growing up where neither parent has gone out to work and accept this as a way of life, with no ambition being instilled into them.

Having said that I also think that there are some very hard working young people who do strive to better themselves come what may and show grit and detemination to achieve and better themselves.

my son went to uni
and has done very well for himself
theres nothing wrong with bettering yourself

best of luck to those who try and to those who dont
its personal choice

I think if the opportunities were still there, there would still be youngsters keen on 'bettering' themselves. Sadly though even when they achieve their degrees they can't find work in their chosen field which is sad. But, there sre still youngsters determined to work come what may so hopefully the ethos is still there (somewhere).

thirst for knowledge is a different question really Rose isn't it? I think the young (and the rest of us) are interested in gaining knowledge but with technology being so advanced they/we don't have to work so hard to find the answers.

I do agree with bettering your self my newphew who is 22 went unversity he cant find a job.So he has gone to work in supermarket .

'working class' (?) idea of 'bettering oneself' gone out of fashion?

I was just given to thinking about it, re education generally, and then thinking specifically about someone who came from a mining background but grafted to get scholarships and go to Uni etc... you used to hear that phrase
" I'm the first one in my family to go to university".

Sorry this is a bit of a 'ramble' lol...but not even thinking in terms of college or courses as such, but are 'we' still as thirsty for knowledge do you think... in our day to day lives or more content to just potter along as we are and not be 'stretched'?