Wednesday 20 August 2008

A for Apple, A for Aspirin.

Looks like the old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is being morphed to suit the times...."an aspirin a day keeps the doctor away"
Well, not really, only we learnt in Chem class that aspirin has an anti coagulant effect and is used by high BP patients to prevent heart attacks. Like they're told to take one daily, to lessen the chances.
Promising. The feel-good image of a deep red glossy apple, the sensation of biting into it and feeling the sweet-tart juice run down your throat, all that is now being replaced by an impersonal little pill with a bitter aftertaste. Says a lot about the life we live, doesn't it?
Our Chem teacher digressed from the lesson to say that we were all stressed beyond measure. Parents putting their kids into the grind, starting with school, at 2 and a half years, when they should be, well, kids! Running around, playing, being happy, exploring their world. Not memorising rhymes (she said.). So, is playschool really PLAYschool anymore?
I don't know.
Mine was, I think. Of course, we did learn alphabets and stuff, but it was fun. All through primary school my biggest stresses were probably friend related.
But yeah, now everything's a means to an end that'll never be there, exams in primary school, preschool even, and to what effect?
a childhood lost?

7 comments:

restless_soul said...

i went to school @ the age of 5...don't remember much but ours were with less pressure and unnecessary grindings. we played outdoor games. video games, computers where unheard of...
undoutedly kids today are put under loads of unnecessary pressure.

Ashmita said...

Totally agree.
There's just no place for simple joys of life, a playful childhood, or a cup of tea with the neigbour anymore.
Its all about the missed train, the seat in IIT or the govt. taking away all the money, so we cant take that europe trip we planned.

Scribblers Inc said...

A for amazed...

Scribblers Inc.

Anonymous said...

In my experience primary school was a blast! I have to admit, secondary school is not-so-fun, but that comes from going to the school that I do, where there's a lot of pressure.

I remember eating grass outside at playschool. Man, I was weird.

The first external tests we do in the UK is aged 7, which has to be way too early, doesn't it?

Mystique said...

2 the thinker: see? see?

2 ash: and the bubbles. don't forget the bubbles.

2 scrib: why?

2 raz: yup, that's waay too early.

Scribblers Inc said...

sorry for butting in..but could you like gimme a translate of the stuff with the cat?I think its noice!!:D

Scribblers Inc.

Arr0w said...

I've just about accepted that this is how things are supposed to be...

Kids start studying for Enterance exams at age 15, give them at age 17, two whole years devoted to get that seat...

...which sets them on another four years of projects, assignments and that kinda thing...

...which either leads them nicely to another enterance exam for a Management course, or a job, where you don't know where your nose ends and the grinding wheel begins...

What does that kid really have to look forward to?