Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Americans Work Hard, But Their Kids Are Lazy

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 13, 2009 3:48 PM CDT

(Newser) – Americans may jaw about their grueling work weeks and meager vacations, but their kids? While European and Asian children are logging in long school days and pounding out homework, US students are taking time off, the Economist reports. With one of the world's shortest school weeks and longest summers—which inspired the term "summer learning loss"—Americans need not wonder why they're falling behind.

Politicians occasionally stir up the issue—President Obama has told schools to "rethink the school day"—but unions, summer camps, and sentimental parents have lobbied against extra study hours. Only about 1,000 of 90,000 US schools have added to the standard 6-1/2 hour day. Meanwhile, "brain work is going the way of manual work" in the world economy, says the Economist, "to whoever will provide the best value for money."

  (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
zackmasson
Sep 18, 2009 9:49 AM CDT
Ring any bells no child left behind act, lol what a farce. But yea are education system is like shit down and shut the fuck up. Other places i think you have to engage with the class to survive and kids like it.
SBS
Jun 15, 2009 2:25 AM CDT
Interesting, and sad.
ChickenChopper
Jun 14, 2009 4:09 AM CDT
their parents are too worried about being laid or being laid off. a bunch of selfish fuggin pricks with iphones could give two craps less what their kids are doing

More Newser Stories

NH Bill Would Require Bible Class in Schools

Occupy School Districts, Not Wall Street

Putin: Time for 'Eurasian Union'

School Handcuffed First Graders for Talking: Lawsuit

Millions in Europe, Asia Face 'Unmapped' Quake Risk


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne