Interesting thread about education and child's future. Although I have no idea about the whole China debate thing. Not my area of expertise.
Parenting is something that I am more knowledgeable about (although no expert). I think if children have guidance and appropriate modeling and encouragement that they will choose what is right for them and what makes them happy...which may or may not make their parents happy. Obviously parents can give their feedback...but can't control everything about their future even though sometimes it would be nice. I realize that every parents goal is not for their children to be happy and some have the goal of success...but the two don't always fit together and for me the happiness is way more important than success. We all know that sometimes children want to go in the complete opposite direction that their parents want them to just because it is the complete opposite direction and they feel resentment from being pushed. I do worry about school and think about the future of my children, but it is really up to DS and what he wants for himself. I will provide opportunities and try to keep up with his insatiable desire to learn the best I can. I can tell you countless stories (and you all can too probably) of children that went to school because they were supposed to and got degrees that they were supposed to and do nothing with it and hate their lives. I don't want that for my children. I personally can't imagine that my DS would ever be happy doing something that didn't involve either math or science...but if he was and it made him happy to do something else for a career I would be all for it. I have already made my choices in life and am quite happy. As he grows up it will be time for him to make his (sniff sniff).
