Watching little children grow up these days creates anxiety for the elderly... well for some of us.
Different people have very strong opinions on what is required within a child’s basic learning environment. Creativity is popular these days. Listening... not so much. Obedience has lost out for quite a long time spanning decades. Following along with the group seems to top the list of lessons taught in schools.
In the 1950’s and early 1960’s we had teachers who were born as early as 1900. In general that generation was strict. My great aunts were school teachers. They were known to carry hickory sticks in class. They valued discipline. They realized and employed the educational value of pain.
It was dangerous at the time to let your mind wander. Disobedience was simply not tolerated.
In the 1950’s a singing group called the “Coasters” had a hit record. Here are some of the lyrics:
Take out the papers and the trash
Or you don't get no spendin' cash
If you don't scrub that kitchen floor
You ain't gonna rock and roll no more
Yakety yak (don't talk back)
Just finish cleanin' up your room
Let's see that dust fly with that broom
Get all that garbage out of sight
Or you don't go out Friday night
Yakety yak (don't talk back)
You just put on your coat and hat
And walk yourself to the laundromat
And when you finish doin' that
Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Yakety yak (don't talk back)
Don't you give me no dirty looks
Your father's hip; he knows what cooks
Just tell your hoodlum friend outside
You ain't got time to take a ride
Yakety yak (don't talk back)
The inspiration for this song was the teaching methods employed by elderly teachers of the time. Students knew instant discipline for poor behavior.
How many current teachers or even parents have earned the right to discipline a child. Would I be allowed to teach if I inflicted pain as part of my technique? Such methods have been lost. This is mostly for the good, but partly bad...
Under this reign of terror, my generation learned to respect. We also learned to rebel.
Children did not have the right to express an opinion until they became adult. The voting age was 21 for a reason.
Here is today’s beauty... a photo of a Veteran from the American Civil War.
