Posted on 04/13/2008 5:09:50 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
When we Americans throw up our hands and say things like, "I know it's wrong, but what can I do?" we are expressing the condition of learned helplessness. We know there are problems, but we have been conditioned to believe that others--officials or "authorities"--are handling them. The officials are all too willing, even eager, for us to believe that they are doing something about the problems when they are not, especially when they probably created the problems and are making things worse every day.
When and where did we come to our condition of learned helplessness? Think back. Our first day in school, we were told the rules: "Sit down and be quiet; if you don't, you will be punished; if you still don't you will be drugged." Those rules were in effect for the next twelve years, just long enough for a complete abrogation of our character, our individuality, our conscience, our self-confidence. Our parents even told us not to disobey school employees, no matter how inappropriate, stupid, or self-serving their commands were. The result is Learned Helplessness -- the inability to deal with our own situation. We have been trained to be controlled by others.
If we give away our liberties voluntarily, are we still a "free people"? Thomas Jefferson wrote: "If you trade your liberty for a little security, you lose both and deserve neither." After spending twelve years in school without liberty, but with the illusion of security, we become willing to submit to more and more reductions in our freedom.
We are also asked to tolerate more and more absurdity by local officials.
(Excerpt) Read more at school-is-hell.blogspot.com ...
I also think that a lot of learned passivity and helplessness is the result of schooling.
Where do they learn this? They can't teach their children elementary school subjects? Unbelievable!
Personally I think the article is a pile of horse hockey.
I think the biggest harm comes from the acceptance of the government power of compulsory education.
I still have nightmares about being in a school setting. And I quit after 9th grade and got a GED. What a soul-crushing experience.
Who started that old canard that, “You can’t fight city hall”? Why city hall of course.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.