Why do older adults assume kids are stupid today?

[KC2UGV]

I chimed in on another forum in regards to an older adult claiming kids are stupid (More or less) today, and don't know squat about squat (Particularly, in the science realm).

Why do adults, especially older adults, assume kids are getting a dumbed down education today?

I had to explain, my son in 8th grade is currently covering vector math, a subject we just started on in my College Math II class. The other son, in the 6th grade, is learning the structure and functions of the entire cardio-pulmonary system. They cover the EM spectrum in 3rd and 4th grade these days, whereas that was a high school level subject when most of the adults were in school (If not first year college).

I mean, is it because kids don't learn a slide rule, and a focus in math classes these days isn't rote 2x4, 2x5, 2x6, 2x7; and instead focused on mathematical concepts like imaginary numbers, rationalization of expressions (Calculator welcomed on test, BTW)? Or, is it just a "Get off mah lawn! We didn't do it that way back then!" kinda thing?

Personally, I'm amazed at how advanced the classes in grade school are these days...

[K7SGJ]

Maybe they are just jealous, and resent having to ask someone younger to answer a question for them.

Personally, I'm older, and wish I had the kind of access to information that the kids of today have. I bet these old bastids don't harbor the same attitude about their doctors. I know mine looks like Doogie Houser, and he is really sharp. Most all the old doctors are probably pushing up daisies or are in homes because they can't even remember how to take someone's temp.

[wa6mhz]

we had to use the LIBRARY and the Encyclopedia Britttanica back then. Today Kids get all their answers and education off of the internet!

[KC2UGV]

we had to use the LIBRARY and the Encyclopedia Britttanica back then. Today Kids get all their answers and education off of the internet!

What's the difference other than one took longer to get info from?

[W3WN]

< snip >
Why do adults, especially older adults, assume kids are getting a dumbed down education today?
< snip >

Nothing new. Some older adults have always assumed that. I heard it when I was a kid.

And in some cases, in some school districts, some kids are getting a dumbed down education. But not all kids, and not in all districts.

...when I changed High Schools between 10th & 11th grades (family moved), I was astounded by how... easy my new school was. Suffice to say that I thought then, and I think now, that they didn't push the kids very hard in that district. Now, maybe it was a little more maturity from me at the time, but my younger brother went through the same thing. I went from a middling-B student to an A, and he went from a barely-C student to a high-B/low-A.

[K7SGJ]

What's the difference other than one took longer to get info from?

Actually, one difference is the intertube gets updated and/or revised a whole lot faster. Plus, as we all know, if it's on the internet, it must be true and accurate.

[KC2UGV]

Actually, one difference is the intertube gets updated and/or revised a whole lot faster. Plus, as we all know, if it's on the internet, it must be true and accurate.

It's just as accurate as if it were in a library...

[KC2KFC]

It's just as accurate as if it were in a library...

The ability to edit in real time, as on the internet, would make the internet information more up to date than that found in a book in a library. But, if the editor of that information did not have somebody else proofing the information, it might not be as accurate. Could go either way which is why it is important to use more than one source on the internet, in my opinion.

[N2NH]

I can tell you that the math is very different and a lot harder now than it was when I was in college. Took a summer math course and I can tell you there was no learning curve. It didn't seem that you were there to learn but to already know. I didn't get the point of taking the course, since if I already knew, I didn't need to take it, but there are those curriculum requirements that state you need to take Math 202, after taking Math 201 which has the prerequisite of Math 143 and Math 123. All those have prerequisites too. The kids in the class knew their stuff and if you haven't grown up with a calculator in your hand, you aren't learning at that point.

Nope. Kudos to the kids in college today. Might not have the common sense of a nail, but they are very smart.

[KG4CGC]

I'll pose a hypothetical.
Adults don't like the way the younger generation has fun, the music they listen to, wardrobe.
Assumptions about intelligence stem from there.