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Howard A Treesong wrote:In the UK you only 'graduate' from university, you don't graduate from school at 16, you just leave. They might hold a special assembly where a few awards get given out, and in more recent years there might be a school prom that's pretty much a glorified disco.

The whole thing about getting parents and kids all together and having huge speeches for a 'graduation ceremony' is an American thing as far as I can see. In the UK you just do your exams at 16 and finish school.

What does 'with honours' mean in high school? At university it means you have an honours degree. This overblown graduation at 16 stuff sounds like BS to me, the lot of it.

Graduation with honors varies from school to school, but it generally means a GPA of at least 4.0 with other distinctions within sports, clubs, community service, and the like.

The celebration is not only one of achievement, but also one of transition into true adulthood. I think it's quite nice to have, personally.

remilia_scarlet wrote:I've noticed this trend, and thank this man for what he's done. The mindset of everyone wins leads to feelings of entitlement, as though everyone is able to do what they want and evade the reality that they, aren't special because they exist. This is what's wrong with our society, there's no more telling your kids try better next time, instead, they get ribbons for attending.

I liked the speech. You are not special, but that doesn;t mean you shouldn;t do things that you think are important and can still add value. Good message.

However, the idea that every "wins" just for showing up is a bit of a crock. If anything, I have seen the opposite happening in schools. As the parent of a child in elementary school, the Kids are put under pressure to "perform" well on tests and begin preparing for their future pretty early in life.

By Elementary School, parents and childeren are suppose to know where their kids apptittudes lie, and start tailoring thier educational experience for a "career" track in my school district. This take sthe form of specialized public schools that focus on various disciplines and/or learning styles. My kid was just leaving Kindergarten, and all ready people were trying to pigeon hole them into engineering, arts, technical, leadership, etc.

I was just happy she wasn't eating paste much less worrying about social engineering the foundation for the rest of her life!

Gram wrote:

Bakerofish wrote:Actual conversation between my cousin and aunt

Cousin: "I' graduating with honors!"

Aunt: "Your cousin graduated college at 16! What are you so proud about?"

Everytime my cousin sees a "son I am disappoint" meme he never laughs because all of that has happened to him one way or another

Maybe you yanks need a bit of the stereotypical asian upbringing?

If stereotypical asian upbringing means not congratulating someone for their accomplishments because someone else did it better, then no thanks.

Of all the things that one can complain about, being annoyed about expressing pride in one's children for working towards admirable goals has to be the most twisted. Okay, yeah, I understand. Recent generations have been given more, and many younger folks have become more expectant of reward; I certainly don't think they invalidate the idea of giving others the encouragement you think they deserve.

Do you honestly believe someone shouldn't get a pat on the back for graduating with honors?

My cousin is worst case scenario and I was posing the exact opposite of "winning for participating".