Talk:Essay:Best Concepts to Teach Teenagers

4 and 5 are too vague to be helpful. They are not concepts or principles, and I suggest replacing them.--Aschlafly 12:57, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

As a teacher I would disagree. Perhaps they are not worded well, but teaching teens how to make decisions, and how to evalulate information in this world is critical to their becoming successful and moral adults. This site is a perfect example. Why is the information on this site valuable? We state that Wiki is biased, but how do we teach teens to figure that out for themselves? How do we teach teens the tools to say "ah, sex is not for me", rather than just parrot us. When teens parrot, they only know the answers to the question we provided. But when we teach them how to look at evidence with a critical eye, and say "fine so science says X, but how do we know it is true or not" - we do our kids in our schools a disservice. Critical thinking seems to be core here. So teaching that skill is far more important than just teaching what you or I or some other adult has found using "critical thinking". That's my 02 cents, anyhow. Michelle. --MHayes 13:02, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

Six is WONDERFUL. Something I wish I were more aware of as I watch my "babies" turn 9 and 6. gak!--MHayes 13:22, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

4 through 7 are ineffective or worse. 4 and 5 can be interpreted any way anyone likes (making them useless), and 6 and 7 are not going to persuade any teenagers.--Aschlafly 13:25, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

And 1-3 will persuade any teenagers? I know teenagers, it's hard to get them away from the tellie. DLerner 18:37, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

I doubt you've taught 145 teenagers, as I have. Teaching the meaning of opportunity cost is effective.--Aschlafly 18:39, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

I've taught roughly a thousand. I agree that cost-of-opportunity is a useful concept to teach them. I question, however, the addition of "destructive" to the point about values. Surely values can also have constructive effects? Teaching them to avoid destructive values is only half of the equation. --Benp 19:34, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

You've taught about a thousand teenagers??? I bet quite a few of them ended up becoming addicted, imprisoned or depressed, after adopting Hollywood values. Tell them beforehand and the disastrous outcomes are less likely.--Aschlafly 19:44, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

Yes, Andy, I've taught about a thousand teenagers. Is that really so surprising? --Benp 20:13, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

If so, Benp, then please tell us how many ended up becoming addicted, imprisoned or depressed. Hundreds?--Aschlafly 20:24, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

To the best of my knowledge, not one has been imprisoned. I can think of a few who have unfortunately been foolish enough to cultivate addictions (mainly to tobacco.) I doubt that if any of them has cultivated addictions stronger than that, they'd make that knowledge public; likewise, I'm not in a position to say how many of them have suffered from depression in the time since I taught them. I am neither their confessor nor their psychiatrist, and while I do have a degree in psychology, it's only a BA; as such, speculations would be irresponsible of me. I do know that there have been no suicides; one former student died, but that was a tragic accident.

In general, though, I've been blessed with well-adjusted and optimistic students and supportive parents, and I'm fortunate enough to teach in a well-ranked and well-to-do suburban school in a conservative district. I suspect that the story would be much different if I were teaching in an inner-city school. --Benp 21:02, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

Most teens I've met (and I'll concede that I haven't yet taught 145), don't care about opportunity cost, (the same reason you objected to 6-7). That said, I agree that opportunity cost is a great life lesson, but also that some things are more important than money, (spending time with family even though you can be earning $$$). DLerner 18:43, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

They care once it's explained to them. But most people won't explain opportunity cost to young people.--Aschlafly 19:44, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

There are three kinds of teachers: those who can count, and those who can't. --Ed Poor ^Talk 18:51, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

There are 10 kinds: those who understand binary, and those who don't. ;) --Benp 19:36, 31 August 2008 (EDT)

What about teaching trust as a positive value, rather than encouraging a negative attitude of expecting deceit? Sideways 19:57, 31 August 2008 (EDT)