Consider the social constructionist perspective. How do we “build worlds” through communication? Think of some ideas we talk about in our culture that may not exist in other cultures. How do these concepts contribute to our happiness or success (of the lack of these) in our culture?
In Japan, most of children go to their local school until junior high. However, after finishing their junior high, they go to different high schools in a larger local area depending on their grades and results of entrance tests. Each high school has its own school uniform, so people can tell who goes to which school by looking at a student’s school uniform. Thus, I sometimes hear two middle aged women talking, “I saw your daughter the other day. She goes Matsuyama high school, right? I saw her wearing their uniform. I am jealous that your daughter is a smart girl.”
My thirteen years old sister asked me before, “Is this high school’s level high? Was the high school you went smart?” My mom replied, “so-so”, and I said, “It was fun!”
I certainly think we build “our world” through communication. By hearing adults’ conversations, and looking at high school students walking a street in different uniforms and advertisements of study materials in a train, my sister started to recognize that going to a good high school is the reason why she needs to study hard, and this is the norm for most of junior high students in Japan.
It is hard to tell this constructed world is good or bad. It is good that students study hard and get smart. They can use basics they learned and create something incredible in the future. On the other hand, it is bad that some students think going to a good school is the only way of life they have. If some students aim to study just to go a good school, what happens to their other interests, such as hobbies, friends and love?
I think “Going to a good school” is a good socially constructed norm. However, I believe the important thing is to realize that there are other worlds where “Going to a good school” isn’t the priority for teenagers. When Japanese students encounter other worlds like that, they shouldn’t criticize them merely by their own norm.
Final Post
15 年前
4 件のコメント:
I see your point on the school thing. I think a good school makes you feel good about going to it. It doesn't matter what school it is as long as it does just that. In Junior high I was put into classes that were meant for students that were more advanced in their ability to learn. I don't know if it was necessary for me to be there because it didn't provide much of a challenge for me. Either that or the instructors didn't emphasize the challenge enough. Or maybe I wasn't ready at that point in my life for that challenge. Besides, I didn't really put the effort I should have in those classes. I ended up passing with B's and C's.
I guess I was just thinking that maybe I could just get the same education that everyone else was getting, just so I wouldn't feel out of place, or possibly ostracized for being in different classes than my friends were.
I just think that if you have fun and do well, at least to your satisfaction, and it makes you feel good about yourself,then what does it matter what kind of school you are in. Everyone is smart in their own way. Who knows how many documented genius' made amazing discoveries by some ridiculous accident or mistakes.
Hello Chocoyuko,
It seems that we are always carrying a label on us. Your story about the different high schools wearing different uniforms, so that society could point them out was very interesting. Here in the US we have students that go to public school or private schools, but not all schools here require uniforms. For example, I had to go to private high school and we did not have uniforms but a strict dress code. However, some of the other private schools in our area required uniforms, but they all look the same to me. I found it interesting that such pressure was put on what uniform a student wore. Did you find it hard to be seen for whom you were and not just what school you went to? Or did make your life (then) better after getting into a good school? I agree going to a good school is an awesome opportunity, only if the student really uses the good opportunity to the fullest.
I enjoyed reading your post this week, have a great week!
Blondie
Nice post. Communication not only establishes cultural differences, but also shows that within a society, there are different expectations and rules. I especially can understand what you wrote about the positives and negatives of a constructed world. As you said, having a drive to go to a good high school and study may be a good thing, but sometimes having that as the only driving force can be negative. It's nice to have other balances and making sure each person is learning from their experiences.
There is a high school near my hometown where "below average" students go.
I remember when I was a high school student, I recognized the high school’s students by their uniform, and thought "Ah they are from the school" in kind of a disrespectable way.
Now when I think about it, there was no reason to see them in that manner. Maybe they were studying hard twice times more than I did.
If a society stigmatize the students who go “bad school”, that makes nothing happy or good. Maybe going to a good school is respectable, but going to a “bad school” isn’t necessary a disrespectable thing.
I believe if “good or bad” is something a society created, then we shouldn’t totally rely on its judgment. We should always use our own way to see the world too.
Thank you for the comments!
Yuko
コメントを投稿