A Mass Commencement
Find a Conversation
A Mass Commencement
| Sun, 06-10-2012 - 7:01am |
The video is 12 minutes long, But the article sums it up nice. You aren't special..
Latest from the board
- Angelina Jolie Has Double Mastectomy 8
- Disney Princess Makeover 3
- Abercrombie & Fitch: Haters of Fat People? 8
- Photo With Newborn Banned From Yearbook 8
- 15 & Up For Plan B 26
- Gun Control Campaign Go Too Far? 8
- Bill allows businesses to deny service 10
- Bikinis: Appropriate for girls?
- Boy Scouts... seriously???? 4
- Boston Bombing Suspect Charged 2
Memeber Support
Visit our Member Support area or browse the iVillage Help forum
| Q: | Where can I change my password? |
| A: | Log in, go to Edit My Preferences, and click the Account tab. Make and save your changes. |
Pages
I think pointing out how UNspecial they are drives home how little that means in the real world. And you know what, If you want to change the world look around you.... It's not all about you! Those kids DO NOT need praise and recognition.
edited.
If this commencement speech was given in a school with a high dropout rate, I'd agree with you, but it was given at a school in an affluent area where I'm sure the majority of the class will be headed off to college in a few months. I'm not sure I agree with his choice of venue, but it's a message that needs to be given to these kids. In an effort to promote everyone's self-esteem, trophies are given for showing up, praise is given for making an effort, and then when they get to the work world, they become a headache for their supervisor when they want all kinds of praise for making an effort and can't believe the audacity of someone who dares to tell them that they aren't making the grade. I know that's a broad generalization that likely doesn't apply to all under-30s, but there are enough out there who do fit that description that I've read any number of articles on the subject.
Sorry, but the drop out rate is high and you know what? yeah there are lots of people out there who are graduating but it is a feat to actually stick it out and graduate. They are special in that they didn't quit. I am not saying they are unique in that they have graduated but accomnplishing a milestone in life? Yeah that is special. In regards to all that well, there is always someone trying to bring other people down. When my kid graduated HS it was abig deal and yeah it was pretty special for us.
Just saying the article sort of spreads the dread.
Maybe he should've given this speech to the parents when these kids were starting preschool!
In any case, while I see the point trying to be made, I disagree. Graduation should be a time for inspiring speeches, IMO. While I get the what he was trying to do, I think the timing could have been much better. Don't most kids get a reality check when they start college, anyway?
Angie
I know the area.
Know many who grew up there. I live in a smallish town now and I think that teen mentality (some have) is even stronger ... that big fish in a small pond. They are having a hard time making it in the real world where no one thinks they are so special. Unfortunately, I see so many, year after year, coming back home because they were no longer treated "special" out there.
IDK, my friends and I talk about this often. In a small town, sometimes, there's just no reality of the world outside of themselves or what they experience here. The reasoning might be different in a affluent town, but the end result seems the same ... again, for some. I don't want to generalize.
My point being, I think this mentality exists everywhere, not just affluent town. IMO
Pages