The other day I was listening to a talk radio show as I was driving around. They played this quote by Barack Obama then had reader's call with comments. I was surprised at the diversity of replies, and decided to open it up for discussion here. First, here's the quote:
"Parents if you don't parent, we can't improve our schools. You've got to parent. You've got to turn off the television set in your house once in a while, you've got to put the video game away once in a while."
"You should have a curfew in your house so your children aren't out in the streets all night. You should meet with the teacher and find out what the homework is and help that child with the homework. And if you don't know how to do the homework, don't be embarrassed, find someone to help you."
"Fathers, be fathers. Be a part of your child's life. Be a part of your child's life and try to make them proud. "
"And the last thing is, if your child is misbehaving at school don't curse out the teacher. You know who you are. It's not the teacher's fault that your child is misbehaving. That's some home training."
When the crowd reacted to this last comment, Obama laughed and said, "You know what I say is true, though. Don't blame the teachers, and the government and the schools if you're not doing your job."
Comments on the show ranged from praise for his call to parent, to boredom with his unoriginality, to irritation over being told how to be a parent from a presidential candidate. Well Moms, what are your thoughts?
Monday, April 14, 2008
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6 comments:
I think it's unreal that he's blaming the school's problems on parents alone. "If you don't parent, we can't improve our schools" is absolutely untrue. There are SO MANY WAYS schools could be better, and I honestly believe that better behaved children would be a result (parent involvement or not), though more parent involvement is always a benefit. Let's all be friends to fix things. Improvement on either end (schools or parents) would help. But it is ridiculous to say "parents won't help so we can't get any better."
In my humble opinion. :)
We will all become better parents because Obama will unite us.
Obama makes us want to be better parents by transcending our differences.
Our children will do better in school because Obama will inspire them to study harder and help each other on homework. Children will stop skipping school because they don't want to disappoint Obama.
Obama will make inflation and unemployment go away because he makes us want to strive to be more productive neighbors.
Even though I don't plan to vote for Obama, I think he's RIGHT! I also think it's gutsy of him to say it, so bravo to him. Can the schools improve in other ways? Sure. But until parents are involved parents (NOT "helicopter" parents), the schools can only do so much. Both of my parents teach in the public school system. Imagine their frustration when little Johnny refuses to do his work, is sarcastic and rude in school, bombs his test, but the teachers are told they MUST past him or the parents will sue. It's happened more than once . . .
The family is the foundational unit of society - schools, churches or government "programs" will never, can never, take the place of family.
Um, amen to all that Starfish mama said. that is all.
I think Obama is right in many ways, I do think that people are more concerned about being "liked" by their kids then "parenting" them. It is impressive to me to hear something positive that stemmed from Obama. Honestly, this is the first thing about family that I have heard (I don't get out much =0)) My email box has been hammered with several negative points about him as a senator. Thanks for sharing this Karen
I don't think Obama was blaming school's problems on parents alone. That "if" in the last part of the quote says a lot.
"Don't blame the teachers, and the government and the schools IF you're not doing your job."
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