I think everyone on this blog has made good and valid points. (The only thing I think is unnecessary is learning to cook in school. Nowadays, anybody who can read should be able to cook. There is a plethora of kosher cookbooks that give step-by -step instructions. Many of my friends had no idea how to cook even scrambled eggs, and today they are gourmet cooks. Personally, I never cooked as a youngster- preffering to keep my nose in the books!–and today I host guests every Shabbos.)
I would like to comment on the discussion between gavra and illnio7 on being happy with a “B” vs. trying your best. I have a unique perspective because I actually teach in a Bais Yaakov, and I can tell you that there is no simple answer.
Are the girls driving themselves too hard or not caring enough? Is the pressure coming from them or the teachers or the parents? Should so much emphasis be put on grades or should we focus more on their self-esteem? Should we teach them that they must work hard, because school work is life’s work, or should we let them enjoy their youth and bond more with their families? These are questions that every teacher, and every school-age parent grapples with at times.
I have found that it is different in every circumstance. Some students drive themselves crazy and study so much until they develope ulcers, while others sail through school barely putting in effort, not caring if they pass or fail. Sometimes the workload is physically overwhelming, especially if you consider the fact that these girls have other family, social and school-related obligations. I have had parents who complained that their daughters never have homework and have too much time on their hands as well. I have students that waste half the night on the computer but complain the next day that they didn’t have time to study. (work ethics?) I have met parents that encourage their children to focus on limudei chol only, and couldn’t care a whit about the kodesh subjects. (“they dont really matter as much as the chol, because she has to get into a good college!”) Tests and quizes every week, sometimes more than 5 a week can drive some students to distraction, while others handle it with aplomb.
No, I don’t think the students of Sara Schenirir had it this tough. Somehow, I envision a school where learning was a joy, studying was lishma, the friendships were real, the distractions were fewer and the gains were enormous.
I recently read about a forum among noted mechanchos and principals of BY schools in one of the chareidi publications. The general consensus was that they realize that the BY system should focus on the changing needs of this generation of young women. They talked about teaching them to view Yiddishkeit with pride , and learning should be a joy. There should be less stress (how??) and more emphasis on middos.
So, gavra, while we want to teach that perfectionism is wrong, some need to hear the message that they need to try to do the best they can. Others need to be told that for them, trying the best they can is too much.
Illnio, I agree that the subjects that are hard should not be abandoned, but it is my opinion that some subjects are beyond that of many students. (If it is difficult for you to be a rocket scientist, should you keep trying? It was not made for everyone!) and unfortunately for some , frustration is their constant companion throught their school years. Is that the only thing we want them to take out of those years?
I agree with you 100% that when you relearn the material in college, it is easier because you once learned it. But again, at what price? We need to take the whole picture into account and there is not one answer to every situation.
Wolf: I agree with your points about practical learning. Unfortunately, there is not enough time in the day to learn everything, and being that the girls carry a double workload, it makes things that much more difficult.
I am just attempting to give you all a bigger picture of what it’s like for the students today, and what the teachers and principals have to contend with. Unfortunately, I have no answers, just lots of questions.