Why Teenagers Appear To Be Lost and How We Can Save Them
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Posted By: Dr. Okpara Nosakhere on August 29, 2010 Why Teenagers Appear To Be Lost and How We Can Save Them By Okpara Nosakhere American society is very disconcerted about the condition of young people today, and should be. It appears that the dilemma lies with the American’s cultural adaptation to Western education as a valued system. The history of Western Civilization does not project a cultural image that is conducive to a healthy and well-rounded young person. Examine the quote by Thomas E. Dewey, the 47th Governor of New York. “Independent, self-reliant people are a counter productive anachronism in the collective society of the future in modern society, people will be defined by their associations. The groups they belong to, not by their own individual accomplishments in such a world people who read too well or too early are dangerous, because they become privately empowered, they know too much and know how to find out what they don’t know by themselves, without consulting experts…” Thomas E. Dewey (1902-1971) Another interesting quote is by William Torrey Harris who served as the chief administrator of the St. Louis Public Schools from 1868 to 1880 and as the United States Commissioner of Education from 1889 to 1906. “American Schools are scientifically designed to prevent over education from happening” William Torrey Harris (1835-1909). Since the inception of education in America, it’s sharing of knowledge is based on an economic class system. The more affluent you are, the more power you have to control your surroundings. “Mis-Education” or limited education was promoted for the poor and disadvantaged masses of white people, but educating African-Americans was far from being a concern on any level in American society. “Kindergarten was created to be a way to break the influence of mothers on their children… Government is the true parent of the child-The state is sovereign over the family”…. Frederich Froebel (1782-1852)-Inventor of Kindergarten 19th century However, a closer look at the maturation and social developmental of African-American children will lead us to cultural traditions that were lost in the Atlantic **** trade. Practices, such as the African Rites of Passage, were used to help young boys and girls make the transition into adulthood. The community as a whole played a major role in preparing young people in taking their rightful place in the village or Nation. Programs that were designed to address that need were the Boys and Girls Scouts, as well as the military basic training camps. When children are not taught or grounded in traditional social rituals and routines, a void is created in the group dynamics of a people. Without leadership young people may not aspire to take a leadership role in their community. They will only act and respond as an insecure child would do and that is to be self-centered, selfish, impulsive and negligent. These attributes are not the sole fault of the child. It is also the fault of a socially uneducated parent and a irresponsive society. It is believed and practiced in America that children mature and develop cognitively due to an increase in age. There intellectual development will be acquired through osmosis, but hopefully not too much, according to Dewey and Harris. We must examine the fact that as babies we are “given” everything we want and need. The behavior continues through the teenage years and adulthood if the proper education is not given. In order for a child to understand the ways of an elder he/she must be exposed to a learning experience both positive and challenging. When a child does not go through a process of mental, physical and psychological development they are made **** in their maturity. Their behavior will be that of a spoiled, disrespectful and irresponsible person, as demonstrated by many young teenagers today. To shift this paradigm of dysfunction, the conscious Elders must reinstitute survival standards in the Communities. Ancient philosophical principles and procedures must be put into place for young people to follow. Without this, generation after generation will be systematically destroyed. If you enjoyed this article, Join BlackInAmerica.com today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Dr. Okpara Nosakhere
President/ CEO, www.educationalmanagementassociates.com Suny Col at New Paltz class of 1982 Member Since November 2008 |
Comments
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again, Professor Okapara Nosakhere, Magnificent Scholarship and of the Most Important Topic---American Education and Education of AfricanAmerican Youth.... I would wholeheartedly agree with your eloquent statement, " a closer look at the maturation and social developmental of African-American children will lead us to cultural traditions that were lost in the Atlantic slave trade." I do realize pre1492 is a long time ago, but when you use the term "Ancient"---is that 518+ years? Or do you mean longer ago than 518+ years? Sunday, August 29th 2010 at 8:42AM |
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Ancient is even yesterday.
Sunday, August 29th 2010 at 12:57PM |
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“Kindergarten was created to be a way to break the influence of mothers on their children… Government is the true parent of the child-The state is sovereign over the family”…. Frederich Froebel (1782-1852)-Inventor of Kindergarten 19th century Sunday, August 29th 2010 at 6:55PM |
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....God forbid it!
Sunday, August 29th 2010 at 6:55PM |
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School is the place where the innocent minds of children can be manipulated. I can remember as a young child having to tell the White teacher about any cultural superstitions or home remedies we knew of. Everyone was raising their hands to report what they knew. Now that I'm grown I thought, " What was her purpose?' She probably wrote a book and made money off all the information she collected.
Monday, August 30th 2010 at 2:38AM |
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Sister Helen, Too funny. What in the world else would your teacher have needed home remedies for? Ha! Tuesday, August 31st 2010 at 7:18PM |
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Jen Maybe some of the superstitions are used against people. I can remember working as a overnight clerk in a large dept store. I knew that the supervisor didn't like me because for some reason the store was full of customers in the middle of the night. One night she came over sweeping my station with the broom, I said "let me get out of your way first" and she says " Oh yeah I know how black people are superstitious about brooms". Wednesday, September 1st 2010 at 12:48PM |
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@ Sister Helen Too funny... but why did't she like you? Back to this kindergarten quote ... I wonder what makes the school think that I would allow them to gain control of my child willingly? I just called to find out what some acronyms (ESL ILP) meant from my son's end of school report card for Pre K. I can't believe that he was in labeled English as a Second language and therefore needed an Individual Learning Plan. I asked that this be removed. I hate Labels!! He's only in kindergarten. For this reason, I make sure to keep my noise in his business just so that I can protect him from silly labels. Wednesday, September 1st 2010 at 2:40PM |
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Why Teenagers Appear To Be Lost and How We Can Save Them (3324 hits) SUBJECT To shift this paradigm of dysfunction, the conscious Elders must reinstitute survival standards in the Communities. Ancient philosophical principles and procedures must be put into place for young people to follow. Without this, generation after generation will be systematically destroyed....." Posted By: Dr. Okpara Nosakhere Sunday, August 29th 2010 at 2:16AM You can also click here to view all posts by this author... ***************************************************************************************************************** .....Two GREAT BIA, African American Minds...Dr. Nosakhere and Dr. jenFad.......I pray you are well.... Culture in American society seems to follow NO elders..... Culture in 'black' society or successful.... is .... is it this.....? ***************************************************************************************************** By Blue Telusma -April 15, 2020 This week, the cover story in the May edition of GQ... features a candid chat between the kanye and editor-in-chief Will Welch. ....Kanye West opens up about making new music for God after “overcoming alcoholism” "I rapped for the devil so long that I didn't even know how to rap for God" "We’re about to build a paradigm shift for humanity." "Every day I have to look in the mirror and state... ‘You are not a slave'" Thursday, April 16th 2020 at 9:13AM |
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