Changing American Kids

Last night was Jane's school band concert. I think I have written before that she (allegedly) plays the trumpet in the school band. You see, Jane rarely practices on her instrument, a reflection of her laid back (lazy) approach to most things (except socializing). When I asked her a couple of days ago if she knew her parts in the concert songs she said, "Well, mostly".
Haha I think she may have missed the point abut being prepared. I told her, "That's like asking a physician, " Did you remove the cancer in the operation," and hearing the doctor reply, "Well, mostly." This band activity is a volunteer one, and by her choice since the 4th grade (All kids in the school are required to chose a band instrument in 3rd grade and play in the 3rd grade band. But they can quit after that if they wish) when she decided to continue playing the trumpet in school. The instruction is part of the curriculum, free for the students so I can't really complain about her lack of practice. And learning a musical instrument (she also played the piano for two years when smaller) is part of a normal childhood education, I think. Hmmmmmm Thank God for those earplugs....
I think many American kids are much like Jane these days. They are very casual and lack the sense of urgency about most things- lazy, I guess. In my day kids were a little more serious about activities they undertook, but now kids are allowed to just "participate" with out pressure to excel. This has both a good and bad effect on them. I think intellectually it is a failing that many kids don't ever find or use a latent talent they may have. On the other hand, our kids have well rounded personalities, little stress and a healthy attitude toward success and failure.
In earlier generations American kids were more motivated toward specific success. Now they seem to drift academically and intellectual longer, but most do "wake up" and excel in later life, and Americans are a clever group of people. I suppose society and culture determines what attitude a child will have towards developing intellectually. American society is far different today then when I was a child. In fact, it doesn't look like an individual society anymore, with so many immigrants pouring in here the diversity of, background, belief, and practice imported has changed this culture. Hehe I won't make any judgment if it is for the better, but I sure do know where to find my earplugs!
Well, at least our kids are happy. That doesn't seem to be true for many kids in India these days. I read the other day that in Maharashtra, Indian teachers sprinkled cow urine on low-caste students to purify them and drive away evil. Ugh! India still oppresses the Lower-caste residents so it seemed ok to Upper-caste head teacher Sharad Kaithade to order the ritual after taking over from a lower-caste predecessor at the kids' school.
Shared told an upper-caste colleague to spray cow urine in a cleansing ceremony as the students were taking an examination, wetting their faces and their answer sheets, according to an Indian the newspaper. "She said you'll study well after getting purified," student Rajat Washnik was quoted as saying . Students said they felt humiliated but Hinduism reveres the cow, and its dung is used in the countryside as both a disinfectant and as fuel. No, I don't use it myself!
In 2001, Hindu nationalists were crazy enough to promote cow's urine as a cure for ailments ranging from liver disease to obesity and even cancer. But that idea seems not to be held by the local police. The newspaper said the two teachers were arrested after angry parents complained to police. They have been released on bail and await trial.
Even though India's constitution and laws ban caste discrimination, those at the bottom of the caste system are still commonly beaten or killed for using a well or worshipping at a temple reserved for upper castes, especially in rural areas lie the one where the kids were doused with urine.
No need to worry. I didn't sprinkle this E mail today.