Teaching the Art of Begging
A month or so ago, the local high school football team was out in front of the supermarket, collecting money for — well, for themselves. Two months ago I was accosted by another high school’s band members, rattling their collection cans, raising funds for the band. I was disgusted. What happened to car washes, bake sales? In essence, trading work or goods for money. As near as I could figure, these kids were being taught to beg on street corners. What kind of life skills were they teaching these kids? What precedent were they setting? I looked around for a teacher or an adult. They had their cans out, too.
Then it dawned on me. These kids were being taught the exact skill they will need as adults. The Florida school system is not known for turning out scholars. In fact, they teach to the test — that federally mandated basic skills test that decides if a school system is doing its job or not. The problem is that you have a lowest common denominator system and people, not just kids, tend to work up — or down — to expectations. Florida students and teachers are expected to do the minimum and the minimum is what results.
Which brings me around to the beauty of teaching these kids to beg for money. They are walking out into a non-existent job market with few skills and less ambition. They are being taught a sense of entitlement: “We need money. You have some. Give it to us.” Begging may be the best and only skill they can master.