A Babson history prof compares her American students with her foreign students. She sees a stark contrast in preparation, time management, and class behavior… does this sound familiar to you? What is the root of the differences?
My lazy American students – The Boston Globe
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I’m no social scientist, but I have two 30-ish children, and all through their American public school and sports careers, everyone was rewarded for simply showing up. There was only limited recognition of success, and almost no consequence for failure. In some countries, particularly Asian ones, educational competition is fierce, and the rewards for success are high.
I think this is rooted in culture – Americans tend to be disrespectful of educational achievement, if not downright anti-intellectual, and I have to suspect that accounts for at least some of the different attitudes of students.