Today in French class, we began to discuss how pressured we've all been feeling lately. Mrs. Shourds, always looking to keep us calm, joined our conversation by drawing a dissimilarity between our culture and the general French/Europen culture. She told us that as Americans, we live to work, but that the French work to live. I think that this statement defies any of the hypocricy we identified during our discussions of the "American Dreams and Nightmares Unit." If we work so hard, then we should expect to be rewarded, right? Capitalist thinking really supports the American dream, doesn't it?
Because we "live to work," is that what fuels our economy? Think about what would happen if we advocated the "living to work" sort of idea. Would people do the bare minimum and move on? I think part of the reason we are so motivated now is because we know that it in some way, it guarantees a bright future. We're always looking to the future. What happened to the present?
A few days ago in AP Euro, a few of us were discussing how much our lives would be simpler if MHS didn't offer any AP courses. Does this mean that we feel obligated to take them? Is there no longer a joy for learning? Is our eye on the prize? Phillis Wheatley, although discriminated against, wrote because she loved poetry. Yes, she sought acceptance, but nothing more than equality, a now "inalienable" right. I'd say that people like her have unsullied intentions when it comes to doing what they love. I'm not so sure that applies to our generation, though.
(Sam Maliha)
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6 comments:
Although I agree with Mrs. Shourds to some degree, I have to say that she has a somewhat biased view on America. Whether Americans live to work or work to live, the answer depends on who you are. American Dream tends to support both sides of the argument. Immigrants seek for the glory and wealth when they arrive at America and find a job to make living. However, during the process their attitude toward work changes because they have to work to keep themselves alive. Thus they work harder and harder, almost appearing as they are living to work.
For the most part, the reality of capitalism does not support its fundamental principle that hard work pays off. Although people are supposed to be rewarded for hard work, only few make it to the top of the ladder.
Jennifer Park
Referring to the part about the AP classes, I don't think that we feel obligated to take them, but we definitely acknowledge all the benefits that are associated with them. We recognize how this can affect our college admissions and our therefore, our future lives. However, I don't think that this necessarily means that we don't like learning. We tend to dislike it more because of the large amounts of work that are associated with the classes. I was actually talking to one of my friends during Spanish, and we agreed that we would like school so much more if we didn't have any tests or quizzes. Then again, I do know students that just don't like learning. What Jen said about Americans and their views on work seem to be the same in this situation. It all depends on who you are.
Interestingly, I have heard this disparity between America and Europe explained before. Unless I am mistaken (in which case please correct me), most Europeans have a shorter work week than do Americans, hence why Americans "live to work." Besides the difference in culture, are there any other reasons why this disparity exists? I'm just curious.
To answer your first question, Sam, I think that if we openly advocated the "living to work" idea, then we would actually strive to complete our work with the utmost diligence and effort. We wouldn't just "do the bare minimum and move on," because our purpose and ultimate goal is to work hard. Yet it depends on how you interpret the phrase "live to work" - my answer is based on what I perceive to be the definition of the phrase. I understand where your answer/definition is coming from as well.
In terms of taking AP classes, I agree with Mary that we may appear averse to learning because we dislike the amount of work which is usually associated with higher level courses. However, I think that most of us DO feel obligated to take AP classes. Since we know the benefits of taking them, we feel pressured to grasp this opportunity and reach our full potential for the future. This is largely because we naturally desire to match (and top) the potentials of our peers. Where else would competition amongst students originate? Perhaps we don't wish to admit that we constantly compete against each other, but the truth is certainly not hidden.
(Janet Lee)
To answer Janet's first question:
Students in France actually do have occasional Saturday school days on which they take exams and extra classes. They don't get to involve themselves at any school-related extra cirricular activities - because there are none! They have to register at a local MJC (youth center) where they take classes like photography, music, etc. Any of the classes that they choose are done (for the most part) to achieve self-satisfaction, rather than to compete, since the academic sphere differs from the one at the MJC.
Also, like Janet mentioned about competition amongst our peers, we even go as far to compete in our extra-cirricular activities/clubs. These clubs don't even offer grades, but they sure do make a transcript look good. If there were no such thing as a transcript, I can almost fully guarantee no one would be staying after school unless they had to. (On second thought, I might take that back.. I wouldn't forfeit the opportunity of being involved in the musical/madrigals. I love them both too much!)
(Samantha Maliha)
I do think that we, as students, certainly feel an obligation to take AP courses. I think that part of that falls into the realm of peer pressure. Although it's not necessarily the kind of peer pressure that we may be used to, but think about it this way: next year you decide to take on-level English IV because you just can't handle the kind of work load you had this year. Imagine the kinds of questions you would be asked and the looks that you might get from some of your AP III classmates. There is nothing wrong, per se, about taking an on-level class. Not at all. But we feel that there are expectations that we have to live up to.
I don't understand it all, but I know that I do feel that pressure, and that I struggled with it in working out my schedule for next year. I have to realize that I'm the one who has to take the classes. If I choose to take seven AP classes because I feel pressure to do so (which I don't, in reality), I have to suffer the consequences of staying up late each night working on homework, and being exhausted each day. In the long run, something has to give....
Emily T.
Certainly, Europe has a different mentality toward work than we do. In France, I believe the workweek is limited to only 35 hours. In Spain, taking an hour long or so fiesta is a common practice. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that compared to Europeans, Americans use the least number of their vacation days.
I don't believe that it's any coincidence that there is an American Dream. There isn't any analogue in the European world, and for good reason. Here in America, it is possible to advance through hard work and longer hours. However, in other countries such as France, there actually is a limit in the workweek. One reason we receive so many newcomers from other countries is due to our attitude toward work: when something needs to get done, we'll do it.
-Eric Wei
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