Skipping School in Japan
Added 2025-01-25 03:18:09 +0000 UTChttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK0PeYe8VXw
Comments
Exactly.
TheJapanChannel.com
2025-01-29 22:26:24 +0000 UTCI see. It’s no question, more an excuse. Ok, let’s just wait for another 50 years…
Sylvia Söhner
2025-01-29 13:22:16 +0000 UTCI tend to not advise others here, Sylvia... they tend to not listen to individuals... only the "sensei" and the group concensus. One old foreign dude carries no weight. :-D
TheJapanChannel.com
2025-01-29 12:54:01 +0000 UTCJust half way through your report, I thought: from one extreme to the other. But you mentioned it later. However, you seeded the better future, by guiding the kids you can help. And help the kids. The best you can do. Do the other parents at least listen to you, when you answer their „what shall we do?“ question? Or do you rather not interfere?
Sylvia Söhner
2025-01-29 09:26:24 +0000 UTCMine is gone too, but my mum is still here and I tell her that I quote her to my kids. "Grandma always says.... "
TheJapanChannel.com
2025-01-26 10:13:51 +0000 UTCAnd we become like them. I'm just like my Dad, now. He's gone, but I still don't hesitate to tell him how right he was.
Brian Mack
2025-01-26 03:46:32 +0000 UTCWe never realise how wise our parents and grandparents were until we are parents and grandparents, right Brian.
TheJapanChannel.com
2025-01-26 03:41:27 +0000 UTCEd, that was an excellent report. Those statistics are quite something. Insofar as going to school is concerned, through the best of intentions I've seen children made into emotional wrecks who consequently become completely "unable" to attend classes. Ironically, they became "unable" because they had been indulged and ENabled by the adults around them in their desire to "save them", get them out of class, and not push them too hard. I've done quite a bit of reading on the subject, and the results match my own experience and observation. It would seem that removing someone from a stressful situation has its downside, believe it or not. In a unique situation where someone is under duress, of course it would make sense to remove them from the environment. But common sense would dictate that if there is a situation they must visit regularly, such as school or work, then developing the ability to remain and function in that environment is what is paramount. The psychology indicates that once you give someone an "out", you've lost them. If they know they can escape they will take the opportunity, and over time, when forced to return they will manufacture symptoms to further keep them away. But when an individual learns that there is no escape they will develop the ability to cope, and even thrive. This applies to children, as well as adults. I have witnessed this among adults within the time of my military experience, certainly. In the first weeks, they want out. But when the door closes, they adapt. Some of the best soldiers I ever knew wanted "out" as young teens. When forced to adapt, some went on to become solid leaders. Among students, I have seen over a period of 4 years those who have learned the secret to getting out of class: Report that you are taxed and stressed, after which you'll be removed and taken for snacks with the counsellor. Trying to get them back to class thereafter becomes impossible. Eventually, they become unable to cope, and their lives take an unfortunate detour into failure upon failure. And where does one go after that when those with whom they began developed the ability to cope, function, and graduate onto better things? It's a grand irony that many adults miss: If you really want to help them, teach them to adapt and keep them in school. If they want to visit the counsellor, they can do it on their OWN time, like before/after school, or on their lunch break. But the have to learn that they will NOT be getting out of class. Up here, our school year is 180 days. You reported that some students are absent up to half that time. It would simply be impossible to recover the school year, thereafter. There'd be no way to pass. "Enabling through the intention of helping." Nobody wants to push them to the breaking point, and of course, complete leniency is the other end of the scale. But there is a lot of room in the middle where they can be taught to cope, and adapt. Excellent report. Thanks, once again. I think I can use some of that information. (Got to hand it to our parents. They were no-nonsense about things, and a heck of a lot wiser than we gave them credit for.)
Brian Mack
2025-01-25 14:42:34 +0000 UTCBalance is always best, isn't it, Kieran. (Sometimes gin is involved in our therapy sessions...)
TheJapanChannel.com
2025-01-25 09:19:53 +0000 UTCAlso you & Englishguy having expat therapy sessions :P
Kieran Rainbow
2025-01-25 05:03:39 +0000 UTCWe Humans are kind of fascinating in the way we swing between extremes.. the Japanese have gone from gambatte to give up .. hopefully they will eventually reach a balanced middle point.
Kieran Rainbow
2025-01-25 04:59:56 +0000 UTC
